On Tuesday, Binance CEO Richard Teng emphasized the company’s history of resolving regulatory issues worldwide without involving employees, as executive Tigran Gambaryan, who heads Binance’s financial crime compliance, entered his sixth month of detention, with his health reportedly deteriorating rapidly.
Gambaryan, detained since February 28 alongside Binance’s regional head for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, was arrested under orders from Nigeria’s national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, a retired policeman and former head of the country’s anti-corruption agency. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused both men and Binance of conducting “specialized business of other financial institutions without a valid license.”
Gambaryan’s trial is set to begin on September 2, according to a Reuters report.
In a blog post, Teng highlighted how Binance has resolved regulatory disputes in several countries, including the U.S., Thailand, Brazil, and India, without any employees being detained.
Earlier this month, Binance settled a long-standing investigation with Brazilian authorities and received approval to continue its operations in India. Teng also refuted allegations linking Binance to Nigeria’s economic issues, particularly the depreciation of the Naira, attributing the currency’s decline to macroeconomic factors and government decisions.
Teng called for U.S. intervention and global advocacy to secure Gambaryan’s release on humanitarian grounds, urging the U.S. government to designate him as an “unlawfully detained” citizen. Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, made a public plea for his release, citing his deteriorating health and the urgent need for medical treatment.
