Bitcoin advocate Roger Ver, known to many in the crypto industry as “Bitcoin Jesus,” has reportedly reached a deal with the US Department of Justice that could allow him to avoid prison time.
According to a Thursday New York Times report, Ver’s lawyers reached a tentative agreement with US authorities that would require the Bitcoin (BTC) advocate to pay $48 million in taxes he already owed from his crypto holdings. The Justice Department charged Ver with mail fraud and tax evasion in April 2024, seeking to extradite him from Spain to stand trial.
The New York Times reported that Ver has maintained ties with figures connected to the administration of US President Donald Trump, including hiring lawyers who previously worked for the president. The report also said he paid $600,000 to political consultant Roger Stone to lobby for changes to US tax laws.
The reported deal followed a series of regulatory and legal actions under the Trump administration softening legal cases involving digital assets. At the time of publication, the agreement did not appear on the public docket for Ver’s case in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.