- United States
- Letter
Urgent Request: Pardon Roger Ver to Support Innovation and Justice
To: Pres. Biden
From: A constituent in Nashua, NH
October 13, 2024
Roger Ver is facing unfair legal prosecution tied to his 2014 expatriation from the United States. His case is a symbol of the growing injustice faced by innovators navigating unregulated spaces, particularly in cryptocurrency. We call for an immediate and unconditional pardon.
Who Is Roger Ver?
• Entrepreneurial Visionary: Roger was the first major investor in Bitcoin-related companies, helping build the foundation of today’s cryptocurrency ecosystem.
• Liberty Advocate: At 21, Roger ran as a Libertarian for California’s Assembly, promoting civil liberties and free markets.
• Humanitarian: His work provided financial services to millions globally, especially the unbanked.
Why This Matters:
• Unclear Rules in Cryptocurrency’s Early Days: When Roger led in crypto, regulations were non-existent. Early adopters like him were navigating uncharted territory.
• Good Faith Compliance: Roger complied with tax laws as best as he could during a time of regulatory uncertainty in the crypto space.
• Challenges of Bitcoin Valuation: In 2014, valuing Bitcoin was nearly impossible due to extreme volatility and the collapse of Mt. Gox. Holding Roger accountable for market dynamics beyond anyone's control is unjust.
• Disproportionate Punishment: Pursuing legal action against pioneers like Roger discourages innovation, punishing those who acted without clear regulatory frameworks.
• Humanitarian and Personal Costs: The potential extradition and imprisonment of Roger threaten to erase his contributions to innovation and society.
Our Appeal:
• Pardon Roger Ver: Grant an unconditional pardon, dismiss all charges, and end his prosecution related to cryptocurrency taxation and expatriation.
• Champion Clear Guidelines: Direct agencies like the IRS and DOJ to create fair policies on cryptocurrency taxation, especially for actions taken before regulations existed.
For more information and to support the petition, visit freerogernow.org