The crypto community has been divided over the recent arrest of early Bitcoin investor and Bitcoin cash advocate, Roger Ver, on tax evasion charges in the United States. While many within the community criticized the arrest, citing Ver’s anti-Bitcoin stance in recent years, there were a few who supported the arrest, considering him to be a “net negative for Bitcoin.”
Some members of the community have speculated that Ver’s arrest may be related to his involvement in various investigations, including those involving Binance, Genesis, and Three Arrows Capital. Despite Ver renouncing his US citizenship in 2014 and becoming a Japanese citizen, he was arrested in Spain on April 30 and now faces extradition to the US on charges of mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns. The charges allege that Ver evaded taxes amounting to $48 million on his Bitcoin and crypto sales in 2017.
The arrest has drawn criticism from many crypto veterans, who argue that it is an abuse of power by US law enforcement agencies. They point out that Ver had already complied with the law when he legally left the US for Japan, paid his taxes in both countries, and yet was arrested a decade later. This has led to concerns about government overreach and the erosion of individual rights.
Kim Dotcom, a crypto veteran who has also faced government enforcement, believes that the indictment against Ver is not about tax evasion but rather a “witch hunt” against someone who has spoken out against US wars and foreign policy. He describes Ver as a supporter of Julian Assange and press freedom, both in words and actions.
Jane Adams, a Bitcoin proponent and candidate for the US House of Representatives, sees Ver’s arrest as an attack on dissent and a reflection of the US government’s vindictiveness. She believes that Ver’s advocacy for press freedom and opposition to US imperialism have made him a target.
Some members of the community speculate that Ver’s arrest is part of a larger crackdown on crypto by the US government. They argue that the Biden administration is aggressively pursuing anti-cryptocurrency enforcement and regulations before the upcoming presidential elections in November.
Overall, Ver’s arrest has sparked a heated debate within the crypto community, with opinions divided over whether it is justified or an abuse of power. The case has also raised concerns about the government’s treatment of individuals who express dissenting views and advocate for press freedom.