Tigran Gambaryan, a top Binance executive and former U.S. federal agent, has finally revealed the terrifying details of his eight-month captivity in Nigeria. Sent to negotiate disputes between Binance and Nigerian officials, he soon found himself entangled in corruption, bribery demands, and baseless accusations.
In March 2024, Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were detained under military guard in Abuja. Officials allegedly demanded $150 million in cryptocurrency for their release. When they refused, their situation worsened.
Despite Binance shutting down peer-to-peer trading in Nigeria, authorities tightened their grip—escalating the charges to money laundering and tax evasion. Gambaryan’s health rapidly declined—he battled malaria, pneumonia, and near paralysis, eventually ending up in a wheelchair.
As global pressure mounted, U.S. lawmakers and intelligence officials intervened. A viral video of Gambaryan struggling to walk in court sparked worldwide outrage. After months of intense diplomatic efforts, all charges were dropped in October 2024. He was flown home on a medevac-equipped jet, finally free.
Now, speculation is swirling that he may take on a high-profile role in U.S. crypto regulation or cybersecurity. Reflecting on his ordeal, he says:
"It made me angrier. It made me want vengeance."
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