Tag: Tigran Gambaryan

Tigran Gambaryan, the Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance and a former U.S. federal agent, has resigned from the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange following his high-profile detention in Nigeria. His departure, announced on June 6, 2025, marks the end of a turbulent chapter for both Gambaryan and Binance, with implications for compliance and regulatory strategies in the crypto industry.

Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency has finally dropped its $35.4 million money laundering case against Tigran Gambaryan, a top Binance executive, citing his urgent need for medical treatment abroad. Gambaryan, who was in charge of financial crime compliance at Binance, had been detained in Nigeria since April. Binance still faces tax evasion charges as part of Nigeria’s broader crackdown on crypto firms.

18 U.S. attorneys general have called on President Biden to designate Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan as a hostage. Held without formal charges in Nigeria, Gambaryan’s health has deteriorated significantly, raising humanitarian concerns. His arrest, seen as politically motivated, comes just months after Binance’s $4.2 billion money laundering settlement with U.S. authorities.

Think twice before starting to work for the world's larger crypto exchange. As Binance’s financial crime compliance officer faces money laundering charges in Nigeria, questions mount over the company’s compliance safeguards and the risks involved in its global operations. The denial of bail for Tigran Gambaryan and the ongoing legal battle could have far-reaching implications for the company’s future.

The Nigerian Justice Emeka Nwite has ordered the officials of the Kuje correctional facility to provide Tigran Gambaryan, the detained executive of Binance Holdings Limited, with a wheelchair. This decision came after Gambaryan, who appeared in court walking with crutches, expressed that his health had severely deteriorated due to inadequate medical care at the facility.

Tigran Gambaryan, Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, worked as a Special Agent for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the U.S. for approximately ten years before joining Binance. In February 2024, Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, another Binance executive, were arrested in Nigeria on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. He has been detained in a Nigerian prison since then, facing health issues and legal challenges.

Binance CEO Richard Teng has denied allegations from the Nigerian government regarding money laundering and terrorism financing on the platform, calling for the release of detained employee Tigran Gambaryan. The crypto exchange and two of its executives, Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, are accused of laundering over $35 million. There are claims that Nigerian officials demanded a bribe of $150 million from Binance.

Binance, the world's largest and certainly most controversial crypto exchange, wants you to believe it's the hero of the crypto world, announcing it has recovered or frozen over $73 million in stolen funds so far in 2023. But make no mistake: while Binance paints itself as a protector of user assets, it’s hard to ignore the shadow of scandal and legal trouble hanging over its operations. Its co-founder and former CEO, Changpeng Zhao, currently serves prison time.

The criminal proceedings in Nigeria against Binance and its executives have kept the crypto scene busy for months. The charges of financial offenses could result in prison sentences and fines. A Nigerian court has set October 11 as the date for the verdict in the tax evasion trial against crypto exchange. The company faces four charges, including failure to register with Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

In the ongoing money laundering trial at Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Abuja, Binance’s compliance executive Tigran Gambaryan continues to battle severe health issues, complicating the proceedings. The trial, marked by interruptions and delays, saw Gambaryan’s defense team rigorously cross-examining government officials this week, reported Osato Avan-Nomayo out of the courtroom.

In the Binance Nigeria Case, the Federal High Court in Abuja has cleared Binance executives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla of tax evasion charges filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The court's decision came after the FIRS submitted amended charges, effectively dropping the tax allegations against Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, who has reportedly fled to Kenya.

US lawmakers are calling for urgent intervention to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive currently detained in Nigeria. Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has stated that the trial of Binance and Gambaryan, who is accused of illegal crypto trading in Nigeria, is proceeding according to Nigeria's laws. The statement followed a letter sent to President Joe Biden, urging the US hostage affairs unit to facilitate Gambaryan's release.