- Roger Ver’s Tucker Carlson interview gained traction after Elon Musk shared it, spotlighting Ver’s criticism of Bitcoin and defense against legal charges.
- Zano’s market cap soared from $80M to $180M following Ver’s mentions, despite Bitcoin Cash and Verse being over 97% down.
Bitcoin Cash founder Roger Ver made a rare media appearance on December 11 in an interview with Tucker Carlson. The former Fox News anchor hosted Ver for 40 minutes, where he criticized Bitcoin, promoted a microcap altcoin, and described his legal troubles as part of a conspiracy. The interview gained more attention after Elon Musk shared it on social media.
The US Department of Justice accuses Ver of avoiding around $50 million in taxes in 2017. Prosecutors claim he withheld information about $240 million in cryptocurrency transactions from his accountant, leading to charges of mail fraud and tax evasion. The entrepreneur is currently fighting extradition from Spain, where he resides.
During the interview, Ver defended his decision to renounce American citizenship. “Renouncing your citizenship is actually one of the most patriotic, American-esque things you can possibly do,” he said, likening his actions to the founding principles of the United States. Carlson portrayed Ver as a victim of government overreach, suggesting the case against him is about more than unpaid taxes.
Zano’s Price Surge After Ver’s Mention
Ver used the airtime to highlight his history as one of Bitcoin’s earliest adopters and a major investor in businesses aimed at mainstreaming cryptocurrency. He also lamented what he described as governmental attempts to stifle financial privacy, implying that his disobedience has made him a target.
Ver’s recent crypto ventures include promoting altcoins like Verse and Zano. Carlson’s interview coincided with Zano’s dramatic price surge. The coin’s market cap rose from under $80 million to over $180 million, benefiting from repeated mentions during the broadcast. However, Ver’s Bitcoin Cash and Verse remain more than 97% down from their all-time highs.
Using his potential 109-year prison sentence as a rallying cry, Ver urged listeners to visit his website and sign a petition to support his case. He framed his plight as a battle for free speech and financial independence, rallying against what he described as oppressive government tactics.
Insights on Bitcoin’s Creator
Ver’s legal team has filed motions to dismiss his case, arguing that the tax codes in question are too vague and that his attorney-client privilege was violated. They also claim his free speech rights have been infringed. Meanwhile, Ver has continued to share his side of the story through interviews and online platforms, calling on the public to join his fight against extradition.
In a lighter moment during the interview, Carlson asked Ver about the mysterious identity of Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Ver responded candidly, saying, “I don’t know… Whoever they are, they deserve their privacy.” While Ver dismissed the idea that intelligence agencies created Bitcoin, he suggested they might have co-opted it later.
Carlson’s broadcast, amassing 2.5 million impressions on X and 170,000 views on YouTube, rekindled debates about Ver’s role in the crypto world and the broader implications of his legal battles.
