TLDR
- Ross Ulbricht received a full presidential pardon from Trump on Jan 21, 2025, after serving time for creating Silk Road
- Following Ulbricht’s pardon, discussions emerged about potential clemency for Roger Ver, who faces tax evasion charges
- Elon Musk responded “Will inquire” when asked about Ver’s situation on X (formerly Twitter)
- Ver’s case involves alleged constitutional violations, including improper access to attorney-client communications
- Cryptocurrency community figures like Ray Youssef and Naomi Brockwell have publicly supported Ver’s pardon campaign
The recent presidential pardon of Ross Ulbricht has sparked new discussions about potential clemency for cryptocurrency figure Roger Ver.
On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ulbricht, who had been serving two life sentences plus 40 years for creating the Silk Road marketplace.
Trump called Ulbricht’s original sentence “ridiculous” when announcing the pardon. The decision marked a complete reversal of fortune for Ulbricht, who had spent years behind bars for his role in creating and operating the online marketplace.
The cryptocurrency community quickly turned its attention to Roger Ver, another prominent figure facing legal troubles. Ver, known in crypto circles as “Bitcoin Jesus,” currently faces charges of tax evasion from U.S. authorities.
Ver’s legal team has raised several concerns about the handling of his case. They point to potential constitutional violations, including the unauthorized acquisition of communications between Ver and his attorneys. Additionally, they claim that prosecutors withheld important evidence during grand jury proceedings.
The defense maintains that Ver relied on professional advice from legal and tax experts while managing his expatriation process. This detail has become a central point in discussions about the merits of the case against him.
Ray Youssef, founder of Noones, was among the first prominent voices to connect Ulbricht’s pardon to Ver’s situation. “Ross is free. A full unconditional pardon has been signed. Thank God. Don’t forget Roger Ver and all the builders who have been thru hell,” Youssef posted on social media.
The conversation gained momentum when a popular cryptocurrency account on X, Rothmus, brought up Ver’s case. The post caught the attention of X owner Elon Musk, who responded with a brief but notable “Will inquire.”
Will inquire
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025
Musk’s response triggered additional support from industry figures. Naomi Brockwell of the Ludlow Institute addressed Musk directly, highlighting concerns about the handling of Ver’s case. She emphasized the problematic nature of authorities accessing privileged communications between Ver and his legal team.
Angela McArdle, who chairs the Libertarian National Committee, also joined the discussion. She expressed gratitude for Musk’s interest in the case and emphasized the importance of securing Ver’s freedom.
Thank you so much! We need to get Roger Free
— Angela McArdle (@angela4LNCChair) January 21, 2025
Supporters have launched a website, freerogernow.org, to share information about Ver’s legal situation. The site hosts Ver’s Motion to Dismiss and includes a petition calling for his pardon.
The case has drawn attention to questions about government oversight of cryptocurrency activities. Ver’s supporters argue that his prosecution represents an overreach by authorities in their approach to regulating the crypto industry.
Legal experts following the case have noted similarities between Ver’s situation and other cases involving tax disputes related to cryptocurrency holdings. The complexity of tax regulations around digital assets has created challenges for many in the industry.
The timing of these discussions, coming immediately after Ulbricht’s pardon, has created renewed interest in Ver’s case. Social media platforms have seen an increase in posts analyzing the details of both cases.
Cryptocurrency industry publications have begun examining the potential implications of Ver’s case. They note that the handling of privileged communications could set precedents for future cases involving digital asset taxation.
The campaign for Ver’s pardon has gained support from various corners of the crypto community. Industry leaders, developers, and advocates have shared their perspectives on social media platforms.
