An early cryptocurrency evangelist once dubbed “Bitcoin Jesus” reached a tentative deal Tuesday with the U.S. Justice Department to pay nearly $50 million to resolve federal charges alleging he evaded tens of millions of dollars in taxes.

Under the agreement, Roger Ver would pay the IRS $49.9 million in back taxes, penalties and interest stemming from his failure to report his bitcoin holdings on tax returns before renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014. He was arrested in Spain last year as prosecutors sought extradition.

In January, Ver publicly appealed to President Donald Trump for help, claiming his case was politically motivated and said he faced a potential 100-year sentence.

Starting in 2011, Ver began acquiring bitcoins. Over the years, he avidly promoted them, and in March 20

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