Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan is at odds with the Nigerian government and the accusations are flying. Gambaryan who works for Binance spent 8 months in Nigerian custody for money laundering and tax evasion. He was arrested in Feb 2024 and released after the US government and Binance put intense pressure. He claims the Nigerian government falsely accused Binance of helping $26 billion in unreported crypto transactions.
Gambaryan made explosive allegations against Nigerian officials, accusing them of trying to get him to pay $150 million in cryptocurrency as a bribe. He said during a meeting on January 5 2024, Nigerian officials tricked him into attending a fake meeting with security officers. He said the meeting was staged with fake cameras and media to make it look real. During that meeting he was asked to pay the bribe into private wallet accounts. Gambaryan called it a “Mickey Mouse” setup. He shared this on his X (formerly Twitter) post.
The Nigerian government has denied the claims. A government spokesperson called Gambaryan’s allegations a deliberate misinformation campaign. They also said no bribe was demanded and an investigation has begun when bribery was suspected during Gambaryan’s visit to Nigeria.
The drama has heightened and Gambaryan’s health is a big issue during his detention. After international pressure he was released in late 2024. This has put a spotlight on Nigeria’s crypto regulation and raised questions on government officials behavior.
Also read: South Korea to Gradually Lift Ban on Corporate Crypto Trading During Market Reforms
