Tigran Gambaryan

Instead of putting savings in a bank, they would buy Bitcoin or Ethereum. In 2024, Nigeria had the second largest cryptocurrency adoption rate in the world.

Instead of putting savings in a bank, they would buy Bitcoin or Ethereum. In 2024, Nigeria had the second largest cryptocurrency adoption rate in the world.

Which brings us back to Tigran. Tigran's trip to Nigeria was going to be quick. Just a few days of back-to-back meetings. He didn't even check a bag.

Which brings us back to Tigran. Tigran's trip to Nigeria was going to be quick. Just a few days of back-to-back meetings. He didn't even check a bag.

Which brings us back to Tigran. Tigran's trip to Nigeria was going to be quick. Just a few days of back-to-back meetings. He didn't even check a bag.

And the two of them were waiting to meet with the head of the NSA to talk through how Binance and Nigeria could work better together. But that meeting never happened. Instead, eventually, a bunch of Nigerian officials filed into the room. None of them were really making eye contact with Tigran or Nadim. And when the meeting did start, Tigran realized it was not what they signed up for.

And the two of them were waiting to meet with the head of the NSA to talk through how Binance and Nigeria could work better together. But that meeting never happened. Instead, eventually, a bunch of Nigerian officials filed into the room. None of them were really making eye contact with Tigran or Nadim. And when the meeting did start, Tigran realized it was not what they signed up for.

And the two of them were waiting to meet with the head of the NSA to talk through how Binance and Nigeria could work better together. But that meeting never happened. Instead, eventually, a bunch of Nigerian officials filed into the room. None of them were really making eye contact with Tigran or Nadim. And when the meeting did start, Tigran realized it was not what they signed up for.

According to Tigran, they basically said, we are not going to let you leave until we are satisfied that Binance is on the up and up. Among other things, they said they wanted Binance to pay those taxes and also some fines. And they said they wanted more control over the platform, including information on Binance's users.

According to Tigran, they basically said, we are not going to let you leave until we are satisfied that Binance is on the up and up. Among other things, they said they wanted Binance to pay those taxes and also some fines. And they said they wanted more control over the platform, including information on Binance's users.

According to Tigran, they basically said, we are not going to let you leave until we are satisfied that Binance is on the up and up. Among other things, they said they wanted Binance to pay those taxes and also some fines. And they said they wanted more control over the platform, including information on Binance's users.

And where might the Nigerian government have gotten the idea of detaining someone from Binance and slapping them with enormous fines?

And where might the Nigerian government have gotten the idea of detaining someone from Binance and slapping them with enormous fines?

And where might the Nigerian government have gotten the idea of detaining someone from Binance and slapping them with enormous fines?

The announcement rocked the crypto world. And, yeah, it might have planted an idea in the minds of Nigerian officials.

The announcement rocked the crypto world. And, yeah, it might have planted an idea in the minds of Nigerian officials.

The announcement rocked the crypto world. And, yeah, it might have planted an idea in the minds of Nigerian officials.

Authorities took them to a safe house in the capital. Apparently, the conditions there weren't all that bad. Tigran had access to a phone. He could talk to a lawyer. Nadim convinced the guards to buy satellite TV so they could watch movies. And the food, Tigran says, it was good.

Authorities took them to a safe house in the capital. Apparently, the conditions there weren't all that bad. Tigran had access to a phone. He could talk to a lawyer. Nadim convinced the guards to buy satellite TV so they could watch movies. And the food, Tigran says, it was good.

Authorities took them to a safe house in the capital. Apparently, the conditions there weren't all that bad. Tigran had access to a phone. He could talk to a lawyer. Nadim convinced the guards to buy satellite TV so they could watch movies. And the food, Tigran says, it was good.