Jameson Lopp, co-founder and CTO of Casa, believes Roger Ver, founder of Bitcoin.com and accused by the IRS of tax evasion, is either standing on principle or simply does not have the money to settle with the agency before trial.

A lot of you have clearly fallen for Roger Ver's political persecution ploy and don't actually understand the charges against him, so I'll break it down.

1. The IRS says he didn't pay the correct exit tax in 2014 because his filing reported that he personally owned 0 BTC when he…
— Jameson Lopp (@lopp) January 27, 2025

In Lopp’s view, although Ver is not a U.S. citizen, the Internal Revenue Service is operating within its authority:

“Much of the complaint involves U.S.-based companies owned by Ver. Those companies must pay U.S. taxes regardless of his citizenship,” Lopp wrote.

He pointed out that the legal dispute has been going on for years, suggesting that the IRS did not make imprisoning Ver its top priority.

“It’s reached this point because he decided not to pay. I’d wager that even now he can negotiate a settlement. The IRS prefers receiving revenue over jailing people,” the developer explained.

Lopp recalled that in 2024, MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor paid $40 million to settle with the IRS. Given the possibility of striking a deal, Ver’s refusal to pay raises questions.

According to Lopp, Ver’s position could stem from “Bitcoin-maximalist ideology,” but he leans toward the idea that the entrepreneur simply may not have the funds. Lopp sees circumstantial evidence in Ver’s refusal to pay $47 million sought by the bankrupt crypto derivatives platform CoinFLEX in 2022.

“Why would someone who is, by all appearances, a billionaire refuse to pay a relatively small amount to avoid prison? Possibly because he can’t,” the Casa CTO said.

Lopp added that while taxation “is still extortion,” it is generally a weak argument in the eyes of tax authorities.

Roger Ver recently asked newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene on his behalf.

Mr. President, I am an American, and I need your help. Only you, with your commitment to justice, can save me @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/WhVTZ1M1GB
— Roger Ver (@rogerkver) January 26, 2025

According to U.S. authorities, Ver failed to report capital gains from selling “tens of thousands” of bitcoins for $240 million in cash. The alleged fraud caused $48 million in losses. If convicted, Ver could face up to 30 years in a federal prison.

He was detained in Spain in late April 2024 but later released on bail.

Context

In December, Ver filed a motion in a California federal court to dismiss the case, arguing that the “exit tax” on individuals renouncing U.S. citizenship and holding more than $2 million in assets is unconstitutional and “unimaginably vague.” Ver relinquished his U.S. citizenship in favor of Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2014.
He later claimed the U.S. government’s actions are politically motivated, pointing to his public stance and early advocacy for Bitcoin.