"Bitcoin Jesus" Roger Ver reaches preliminary settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice: agrees to pay $48 million to seek dismissal of criminal charges.

Early Bitcoin investor and Bitcoin Cash co-founder Roger Ver has reached a preliminary settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding criminal charges of tax evasion and mail fraud. According to a report by The New York Times on October 9, 2025, Roger Ver will agree to pay the U.S. government approximately $48 million, which is roughly equivalent to the taxes he owes. If he complies with the terms of the settlement, the DOJ may dismiss the criminal charges against him. This agreement was reached against the backdrop of a general relaxation of the Trump administration's regulatory stance on crypto assets, prompting speculation in the market about Roger Ver receiving a presidential pardon, with the predicted likelihood of his pardon rising to 29% on the Polymarket platform.

The Legal Dilemma and Preliminary Settlement Terms of "Bitcoin Jesus"

Roger Ver was arrested in Spain in April 2024 for allegedly concealing his large Bitcoin holdings after renouncing his U.S. citizenship and evading taxes of up to tens of millions of dollars.

· Allegations: Prosecutors accuse Roger Ver of mail fraud, tax evasion, and submitting false tax returns, involving approximately $48 million in lost tax revenue for the government. These allegations stem from his sale of $240 million worth of Crypto Assets when he renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014, which was subject to an "exit tax."

· Key to settlement: According to the current preliminary delayed prosecution agreement, Roger Ver needs to pay approximately 48 million dollars in back taxes. If this agreement is finalized, the Department of Justice may drop the criminal charges against him.

· Political Motivation Controversy: Roger Ver's legal team has consistently asserted that the lawsuit was filed during Joe Biden's administration, representing the previous government's harsh enforcement stance on Crypto Assets, and is politically motivated.

Regulatory Climate Shift Under the Trump Administration and Industry Appeals

Roger Ver's settlement coincides with the Trump administration's "light touch" regulation of the Crypto Assets industry, which may indicate a continued easing of the enforcement environment for Crypto Assets.

· Shift in Regulatory Attitude: Since returning to the White House earlier this year, Trump has sent friendly signals to the Crypto Assets industry, including easing regulatory pressure on mainstream CEX companies and appointing more industry-friendly officials to lead financial institutions.

· Pardon for Silk Road founder: Trump pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht in his first week in office, who had previously been sentenced to two life sentences for conspiracy charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking. Ross Ulbricht later publicly supported Roger Ver, stating that "no one should spend their life in prison over tax issues."

· Support from industry leaders: Several leaders in the Crypto Assets industry, including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Elon Musk, who was leading the Department of Efficiency at the time (DOGE), have previously called on authorities to focus on recovering unpaid taxes rather than taking harsh legal actions.

· Contact with Trump’s team: Roger Ver was reported to have paid $600,000 in April to Trump’s longtime aide Roger Stone in an attempt to repeal the core tax provisions of the case. He also hired lawyer David Schoen, who defended him during Trump’s second impeachment trial.

Rise in Pardon Probability: Expectations of Polymarket Traders

After the news of Roger Ver reaching a preliminary settlement was announced, the crypto community closely monitored his fate, and trading activity on market prediction platforms also began to rise.

· Probability of pardon: After the news release, traders on the prediction platform Polymarket increased the chances of President Trump pardoning Roger Ver from 23% to 29%.

· SEC's "enforcement retreat": The Trump administration's "light-touch" regulatory approach to Crypto Assets is also reflected in a series of actions taken by the SEC. Earlier this year, the SEC withdrew its highly publicized civil enforcement actions against mainstream CEXs and agreed to settle a long-standing lawsuit with Ripple Labs. Additionally, the SEC has closed investigations into other major platforms such as OpenSea and Robinhood.

Conclusion

The preliminary settlement agreement reached by Roger Ver with the U.S. Department of Justice marks a significant turning point in his long-standing legal troubles and symbolizes the breathing space that the crypto industry has gained in terms of regulation and enforcement in the current political climate. Although the settlement requires him to pay a hefty back tax, it is likely to spare him from criminal charges. Against the backdrop of regulatory easing under the Trump administration, this agreement, along with the precedent set by Ross Ulbricht, greatly increases the likelihood of Roger Ver receiving a presidential pardon. However, critics are concerned that this may indicate that the crypto industry is receiving "special treatment," and the fairness and consistency of future U.S. regulations remain a focal point of market concern.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute any investment advice. The crypto market is highly volatile, and investors should make decisions with caution.