Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin advocate and investor, has filed a legal challenge against Spain as he seeks to block his extradition to the United States.
The move comes after U.S. authorities charged him with multiple counts of tax fraud related to his crypto fortune and business dealings.
In a case now before the European Court of Human Rights, Ver accuses the Spanish government of violating his legal protections by agreeing to send him back to the U.S., where he faces up to 109 years in prison. He was arrested in Spain in April 2024 and has been out on bail since.
U.S. prosecutors allege Ver dodged millions in taxes after renouncing his American citizenship in 2014 and acquiring citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis. According to the Department of Justice, Ver was required to pay an “exit tax” on unrealized capital gains from his Bitcoin holdings at the time of expatriation—something they claim he intentionally avoided.
Authorities also say that in 2017, Ver failed to report hundreds of millions in crypto sales made through his companies, MemoryDealers and Agilestar, both registered in the U.S. Despite no longer being a U.S. citizen, he was still subject to taxes on dividends and distributions from domestic corporations.
Ver has contested the charges, arguing that the exit tax is unconstitutional and that the case against him lacks legal clarity. His legal team is seeking to have all eight charges dismissed.
While some in the crypto community support Ver, pointing to his role in early Bitcoin adoption and his support for Bitcoin Cash, others argue that giving up his U.S. citizenship forfeits any claim to protection or leniency. Ver has also appealed directly to President Donald Trump for a pardon, though no official response has been made.
Alexander Zdravkov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alexander Zdravkov is a person who always looks for the logic behind things. He is fluent in German and has more than 3 years of experience in the crypto space, where he skillfully identifies new trends in the world of digital currencies. Whether providing in-depth analysis or daily reports on all topics, his deep understanding and enthusiasm for what he does make him a valuable member of the team.
Source: https://coindoo.com/roger-ver-fights-extradition-to-u-s-over-alleged-48m-tax-evasion/