Roger Ver, often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus” due to his early role as an investor and advocate for cryptocurrency, has reportedly disbursed $600,000 to his longtime associate of former President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, for lobbying efforts on his behalf, as reported by the New York Times.
Ver is currently entangled in legal troubles, facing allegations related to mail fraud, tax evasion, and the submission of false tax returns. Congressional filings indicate that Ver’s actions defrauded the IRS, resulting in a financial loss of at least $48 million.
Despite these accusations, Ver has rejected the charges, claiming logistical challenges prevented him from properly navigating the exit tax, particularly highlighting the illiquid state of the Bitcoin market during the relevant period.
In a video shared on social media in January, Ver made an emotional plea to Trump, expressing concern over the possibility of receiving a prison sentence exceeding 100 years due to his involvement in promoting cryptocurrency.
Stone’s Lobbying Efforts for Ver
As per the report, Stone has been actively lobbying Congress to alter the legal framework under which Ver has been charged. He submitted official paperwork in February indicating that he had been hired by Ver and compensated with $600,000 to assist in his legal matters.
This lobbying initiative coincides with a moment when Trump has shown a favorable stance towards cryptocurrency, having granted clemency to notable figures in the crypto world, including Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road darknet marketplace.
Ulbricht, in a public statement made in February, advocated for Ver, urging for a pardon regarding his tax evasion charges. He expressed his appreciation for Ver’s support during his incarceration and encouraged the community to stand behind him.
“Roger Ver was there for me when I was down and needed help. Now Roger needs our support,” Ulbricht stated via social media. “No one should spend the rest of their life in prison over taxes.”
Moreover, recent actions by President Trump indicate a shift away from the stringent enforcement policies that characterized the tenure of Gary Gensler against numerous cryptocurrency firms.
For decades, I’ve been terrorized by rogue U.S. government agents who hate American freedom.
This is my story: pic.twitter.com/NEetn1b3r4
— Roger Ver (@rogerkver) January 27, 2025
Advocacy for Ver’s Pardon
In December, Stone published an essay advocating for President Trump to pardon Roger Ver, emphasizing the broader implications of such an action.
“By pardoning Roger Ver, you won’t just be freeing one man—you’ll be declaring that America still stands for the dreamers, the builders, the innovators who dare to imagine a freer world,” Stone remarked at the time.
In a conversation with the New York Times, Stone clarified that he does not intend to leverage his longstanding relationship with Trump to influence Ver’s situation.
“I have not lobbied any official in the executive branch of government, including the president, regarding his case or a pardon,” Stone asserted, noting that his role has been primarily to provide advice to Ver’s legal team.
The post ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Roger Ver Paid $600K to Trump Ally Stone to Lobby For Him: Report appeared first on Finance Newso.
