Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin on March 1, 2025, criticized Roger Ver’s possible sentence for alleged nonviolent tax offenses, calling the case politically motivated and disproportionate.

Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Criticizes Selective Prosecution Against Roger Ver

Buterin’s remarks follow a public statement by Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, who earlier defended Ver and decried harsh penalties for his alleged tax-related issues. Ulbricht’s social media post highlighted injustice in the legal treatment of Ver. The exchange of support between these prominent figures has drawn attention from legal and technology observers, alongside crypto supporters and libertarians alike.

In his statement, Buterin argued that spending a life in prison over nonviolent tax offenses is absurd. He noted that many individuals and corporations have faced accusations for far more serious offenses yet received milder sentences. Buterin asserted that Ver’s advocacy for freedom and his challenge to coercive state power should not result in excessively severe punishment. His comments reflect concerns about fairness in judicial processes related to tax matters.

Buterin criticized the practice of selective prosecution, contending that such actions erode constitutional protections, including the First Amendment. He highlighted the U.S. tax-by-citizenship policy and exit tax regime as examples of extreme measures, noting that few other nations impose similar requirements. His comparison with international tax policies underscored discrepancies in enforcement and the need for reform.

“The US tax-by-citizenship and associated exit tax regime is extreme; the former is shared by almost no other countries in the world, and the latter is on the high end of what countries do (eg. UK only charges capital gains if you return within 5 years),” Buterin stated on Saturday morning.

The Ethereum co-founder also expressed concern over reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) intimidated Ver’s legal counsel to obtain privileged information. He stressed that the right to confidential consultation must remain inviolable. Buterin argued that genuine mistakes should be addressed by allowing individuals to settle outstanding taxes rather than facing lifelong incarceration.

Buterin’s objective remarks contribute to a broader discussion over proportionality in sentencing within both the cryptocurrency and legal communities. His perspective encourages a reassessment of policies that appear selectively punitive and calls for a more equitable legal framework. As discussions continue, statements like these may influence future legal challenges and regulatory reviews in the evolving digital finance landscape.

“Selective prosecution has always been a tool of control. If paying back taxes isn’t enough, but a life sentence is on the table, the system isn’t about justice, it’s about making an example,” one person replied to Buterin in his X thread. Another person wrote:

The system needs to change.