Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and other prominent figures in the cryptocurrency industry are rallying behind former Bitcoin evangelist Roger Ver's bid for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

Ver, famously known as "Bitcoin Jesus," was detained in February 2024 during a crypto event in Barcelona, Spain, and is now facing accusations in the US of evading taxes amounting to over $48 million while also submitting a false tax return.

There is growing skepticism among industry insiders regarding the legal motivations driving Ver's prosecution. Vitalik Buterin, in particular, has voiced concerns about the severity of the case, hinting at potential political factors influencing the situation. Buterin urged the authorities to prioritize tax recovery rather than employing harsh punitive measures against Ver.

Echoing Buterin's sentiments, former Silk Road operator Ross Ulbricht, who recently received clemency, emphasized that individuals should not face life imprisonment over tax issues but should be given the opportunity to settle their taxes and move forward.

Moreover, Jesse Powell, co-founder of Kraken, has cast doubt on the validity of the charges against Ver, suggesting a targeted effort to harass him.

Despite Ver's pleas for help on social media and his claims of political persecution, the odds of Trump granting him clemency appear slim, especially since Elon Musk, now heading the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration, has ruled out any possibility of pardon due to Ver renouncing his US citizenship.

The cryptocurrency community widely perceives Ver's prosecution as disproportionately severe, but his current residence in Spain may present obstacles to his appeal for presidential clemency.