U.Today

Roger Ver, known as Bitcoin Jesus, recently spoke with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson in an interview shared on Carlson's X account.

In this conversation, Ver discussed the reasons behind his arrest in Spain six months ago and expressed his views on the current state of Bitcoin. He also addressed Carlson's inquiry about the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic founder of Bitcoin.

According to reports, Ver was arrested on April 30 at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice, facing charges of tax evasion and allegedly causing a loss of "at least $48 million" to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Ver Claims His Arrest Is Not Tax-Related

At the start of the interview, Carlson expressed skepticism regarding the tax evasion claims that often accompany high-profile arrests abroad. He asked Ver if there might be alternative motives behind the U.S. government's desire to imprison him for a lengthy period.

Ver asserted that his arrest was not about taxes but stemmed from his early advocacy of Bitcoin, particularly his current stance that Bitcoin does not provide its users with purchasing privacy.

In anticipation of potential repercussions, Ver renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014, opting to become a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis via their investment program.

He pointed out that his arrest occurred a decade after relinquishing his U.S. citizenship and shortly after the release of his book, "Hijacking Bitcoin," in which he argues that Bitcoin has diverged from Satoshi Nakamoto's original vision.

Ver on the Identity of Satoshi

When asked by Carlson who Satoshi Nakamoto is, Ver admitted ignorance, suggesting that no one truly knows the identity of Bitcoin's creator.

Nonetheless, Ver believes that Satoshi's invention is one of the most significant advancements in human history, comparable to electricity, the transistor, and the internet.

This article was originally published on U.Today.