Key Takeaways
- Ver learned about Bitcoin in 2011 and became one of its first supporters. He was the first to accept Bitcoin payments through his company, MemoryDealers.
- Ver invested early in blockchain companies like Kraken, Blockchain.com, and Ripple, started Bitcoinstore.com in 2012, and helped launch the Bitcoin Foundation.
- Ver is considered one of the wealthiest people in cryptocurrency, with an estimated net worth of $430 million.
Roger Ver, known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” is a well-known and talked-about figure in the cryptocurrency industry. He was among the first to support and invest in Bitcoin, playing a big role in its early growth. Recently, his views and investments have caused more discussions about him.
Who Is Roger Ver?
Roger Ver, born in 1979 in San Jose, California, attended De Anza College in Cupertino from 1997 to 1999, studying economics, math, and astronomy. As his website mentions, he also briefly studied physics at Stanford University in 1998.
While in college, he started Memorydealers, a business selling computer memory, networking equipment, and accessories. He left school to focus on running the company as its CEO for over 10 years. He stepped down in 2012 and ended his connection with the company in 2018.
From 2004 to 2018, Ver also ran Agilestar.com, which made and sold fiber optic equipment to customers worldwide.
However, since 2011, Ver has become more involved in the growing industry of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. This was a big change in his career and shaped his future in the blockchain industry.
The RogerVer Website
Roger Ver has a website at rogerver.com. It shares information about his work in cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin Cash (BCH). You can also find links to his social media and contact details there.
Early Adoption of Bitcoin
Roger Ver learned about Bitcoin in early 2011 and called it “one of the most important inventions in human history.” He believed in Bitcoin so much that his company, MemoryDealers.com, was the first to accept Bitcoin payments.
Back then, Bitcoin was worth less than $1 per coin. Ver is said to have collected over 400,000 $BTC in the early days, though he probably used some of it for projects and payments while promoting Bitcoin.
His support helped start many important Bitcoin projects and companies. He was one of the first investors in BitInstant, a company founded by Charlie Shrem that later shut down.
Other Project Opportunities
Ver invested early in other blockchain companies such as Kraken, purse.io, Blockchain.com, and Ripple. In 2012, he launched Bitcoinstore.com, an online platform where people could buy things with Bitcoin.
Also, in 2012, Ver helped create the Bitcoin Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve Bitcoin’s image after several public issues.
In 2015, Ver started managing Bitcoin.com, a website offering Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash services. He was the CEO until August 2019, then later became the Executive Chairman.
Transition To The Bitcoin Cash Network
As Ver promoted Bitcoin and related projects, he became known as “Bitcoin Jesus” because many saw him as a strong cryptocurrency supporter. However, he seemed to change his views over time, and some people thought he was moving away from Bitcoin.
In a 2017 interview, Ver expressed concern about Bitcoin’s future. He felt that too many people were betting on its price rather than using it as money and said, “The developers have destroyed” its ability to work as a currency.
Ver became a strong supporter of Bitcoin Cash, created in August 2017. He even said that the alleged insider trading of Bitcoin Cash on Coinbase wasn’t a “crime.”
Net Worth and Philanthropy
Roger Ver is often listed among the “Wealthiest People in Cryptocurrency,” but it’s hard to know his exact net worth since he runs a private company. Much of his wealth is tied to the changing value of cryptocurrencies, with estimates of around $430 million.
In late 2013, Ver donated over $1 million in Bitcoin to the Foundation for Economic Education, which supports libertarian ideas. In 2021, he gave the same organization another $2 million in Bitcoin Cash.
Roger Ver’s Tax Evasion Charges
From January 1999 to August 2000, Ver bought 49 pounds of explosives, kept them in an apartment building, sold at least 14 pounds as large firecrackers on eBay, and shipped them to customers through the U.S. Postal Service. Since he didn’t have a license to sell or handle these dangerous materials, he was arrested and charged in 2001. In 2002, Ver admitted to breaking federal laws and was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison.
Challenges With Citizenship and Immigration
Another reason Roger Ver is considered controversial is his ongoing citizenship and visa problems. He moved to Japan in 2006, and in 2014, Ver gave up his U.S. citizenship and became a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis through their Citizenship by Investment program. This program lets people become citizens by investing in real estate or the country’s growth fund.
In 2015, Ver was denied a visa to return to the U.S. for a conference because the U.S. Embassy in Barbados worried he might not leave after his visit. However, another U.S. embassy approved his visa later that year, and he was allowed to enter the U.S. in 2016 to speak at a conference in Colorado.
Where is Roger Ver Now?
Roger Ver is still active in the cryptocurrency industry and supports Bitcoin Cash. He has lived in different countries, including Japan, for several years. Ver is also involved in promoting economic freedom and supporting libertarian causes. While he travels often for conferences and events, his location isn’t publicly disclosed.
Final Thoughts
Roger Ver, also known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” has played an essential role in the early adoption of Bitcoin. Investing in major projects like Kraken and Blockchain.com. He was the first to accept Bitcoin as payment and helped launch platforms like Bitcoinstore.com. Over time, Ver moved his focus to Bitcoin Cash, believing it offered a better future for digital currency. Even with his controversial past, including legal issues and citizenship challenges, Ver remains a leading figure in cryptocurrency with a net worth of around $430 million. His continued work in the crypto space and his philanthropy show his lasting influence.
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