Binance Executive Gambaryan Details 8-Month Detention in Nigeria

Speaking at the DC Blockchain Summit on March 26, 2024, Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, recently released after eight months of detention in Nigeria, described his experience. Gambaryan, head of financial crime compliance at Binance, stated that the Nigerian government essentially held him hostage, using criminal charges as leverage to extract funds from Binance. He noted increased pressure around the UN General Assembly in 2024, which likely contributed to his release after authorities realized he had become a liability. Gambaryan's health reportedly deteriorated during his detention, which began in February 2024, with cases of pneumonia, malaria, and a herniated disc.