They're Criminalizing
Self-Custody.
We Have to Fight Back.
Caleb Wright is being prosecuted for moving his own crypto into a wallet he controls. If this stands, no one's coins are safe.
What Happened?
A routine crypto withdrawal is being weaponized to set a dangerous precedent.
Tax Dispute Arises
Caleb Wright has an ongoing civil tax dispute with the IRS, a situation many Americans face.
Routine Crypto Withdrawals
He moves his cryptocurrency from an exchange to a personal, self-custody wallet—a standard practice for security and a fundamental right.
Federal Indictment
The government indicts Caleb, not for tax evasion, but for the act of moving his own funds, framing it as concealment to defraud the United States.
No Hiding. No Scam. Just Self-Custody.
Government Created Confusion
The prosecution is based on confusion the government itself created through inadequate notice procedures.
The Payward Ventures Problem
March 2021: IRS sends levy notice to Caleb's lawyer for "Payward Ventures" - a corporate holding company name.
April 2021: Caleb receives the notice from his lawyer but has no idea "Payward Ventures" is connected to Kraken exchange.
January 2023: Kraken closes Caleb's account for "security reasons" - nearly 2 years later. Caleb withdraws crypto, still unaware of any connection to the 2021 notice.
The Problem: How was Caleb supposed to know that "Payward Ventures" meant Kraken? The government is now prosecuting the very confusion their inadequate notice procedures created.
The government's case is built on a critical piece of confusion they themselves created.
They are prosecuting Caleb for not knowing that the obscure corporate name on an IRS notice, **"Payward Ventures, Inc."**, was secretly the same company as the public-facing exchange, **"Kraken."**
The Evidence
The government's case rests on the idea that Caleb should have known these two different corporate names were the same entity. You be the judge.
1. The Official IRS Levy Notice
In March 2021, the IRS sent a levy notice for an entity named **"Payward Ventures, Inc."**
(Click image to view full document)
2. The Exchange Communication
In January 2023, the account was closed by the exchange, which operates publicly as **"Kraken."**
(Click image to view full document)
The prosecution's entire case requires a citizen to connect these two separate corporate identities with no clear notice.
A Violation of Constitutional Rights
This violates the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of Due Process, which requires the government to provide clear and fair notice before seizing a citizen's property.
Read the Full Legal AnalysisWhy This Affects You
This isn't just about one person. It's about a fundamental right. If they can do this to Caleb, they can do it to you.
It Starts with One
Caleb is the test case. If prosecutors succeed here, it creates a playbook to target any crypto user they deem non-compliant.
The Precedent
A guilty verdict could legally equate self-custody with criminal concealment, giving the government unprecedented power over your assets.
Your Rights at Risk
The fundamental principle of 'Not Your Keys, Not Your Coins' is under attack. This fight is for the future of financial sovereignty.
Wall of Support
Influencers, organizations, and everyday users are standing up to defend our rights.
Vitalik Buterin
@VitalikButerin
"Self-custody is your shield against hackers. Keep your keys offline and your #crypto safe. #Ethereum"
Jack Dorsey
@jack
"Self-custody stops hackers in their tracks. Hold your own #Bitcoin keys and stay secure."
Kraken
@krakenfx
"Self-custody is the industry standard for crypto security."
Andreas M.Antonopoulos
@aantonop
"Exchange failures and hacks are why self-custody matters. Hold your #Bitcoin keys offline to stay safe."
Ledger
@Ledger
"Hacks and exchange collapses can't touch your crypto in self-custody. Secure your funds with Ledger. #Crypto"
Nick Szabo
@NickSzabo4
"Self-custody is a human right. It's your property, your control. No one should take that away. #Bitcoin"
"The right to have self custody of ones private property is a foundational American value."
"I will support your right to self custody crypto"
The Fight For Freedom
Fund The Fight
We have assembled a top-tier legal team specializing in digital asset law and constitutional rights. But this fight will be expensive. Your contribution directly funds the legal battle to protect not just Caleb, but the entire crypto community.
Current Phase: Pre-Trial Motions
Funds for critical pre-trial motions and constitutional challenges
(Note: Amount raised is not updated in real-time and will be refreshed periodically.)
"I never thought I'd be in this position. I followed the ethos of crypto: be your own bank. Now I'm facing years in prison for it. I can't fight this alone. Thank you for standing with me."
- Caleb Wright
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can view the official press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont on their website. The press release outlines the charges and the government's allegations.
You can read the full backstory on X (formerly Twitter) here.
No, self-custody is not illegal. This case is about the government trying to criminalize the act of moving crypto to self-custody when you have outstanding tax obligations. The precedent this could set is dangerous for all crypto users.
If this precedent is set, any US citizen who owes back taxes (a common situation) and moves their crypto to a private wallet could potentially face similar federal charges. Your financial sovereignty is at stake.
100% of the funds raised go directly to Caleb Wright's legal defense fund. This covers legal fees, expert witness costs, and other court-related expenses. All spending is transparently managed by the legal team.
Spreading the word is just as critical as donating. Share this website on social media, talk to your friends, and educate others about what's at stake. Awareness is our greatest weapon.
Join The Fight
Your contribution is crucial. 100% of donations go directly to the legal defense fund.
Donate with Crypto
Select a coin to reveal the address. Every satoshi counts.
Amplify the Message
This fight is won in the court of public opinion. Your voice is our most powerful weapon.
1. Copy the Message
The right to self-custody is under attack. A US citizen faces federal charges for moving crypto to a private wallet. If this precedent is set, our financial sovereignty is at risk. Stand with Caleb Wright. #DefendSelfCustody https://www.selfcustodyisnotacrime.com