- Nigerian court speeds up money laundering case against crypto exchange Binance, moving hearing from October to September.
- Binance faces serious allegations of laundering over $35 million, with executives denying the charges amid calls for the detainee to be released on medical grounds.
OUR TAKE
A Nigerian judge has set a new date for the trial of a major case against Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The case involves accusations of money laundering totalling over $35 million. This is part of Nigeria’s wider crackdown on cryptocurrency exchanges, which the government says are making things worse for the economy. I think it’s pretty remarkable how quickly this case is moving forward. It shows how the world is paying closer attention to cryptocurrency operations, especially in places where the economy is unstable. This trial could have a big impact, not just on Binance but on the whole cryptocurrency industry, as it tries to find its way through the different regulatory landscapes around the world.
–Heidi Luo, BTW reporter
What happened
Cryptocurrency giant Binance will face an accelerated trial in Nigeria after a judge moved the hearing to 2 September, more than a month ahead of the original schedule.
The case accuses Binance and two of its executives of laundering more than $35 million. These developments come amid Nigeria’s aggressive regulatory stance on cryptocurrency operations, which has been linked to financial instability in the country.
US citizen Tigan Gambaryan, head of financial crime compliance at Binance, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, regional manager for Africa, are at the centre of these allegations.
While Gambaryan has been in detention since February, his health deteriorating, Anjarwalla has fled Nigeria, escaping arrest before the trial could begin. The situation has attracted international attention, with Gambaryan’s family appealing for his release on health grounds.
Also read: Crypto exchange Binance moves to dismiss $12.8B London lawsuit
Also read: Binance founder’s $33bln fortune still growing despite prison
Why it’s important
Binance is the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. It was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Malta. The platform offers trading in more than 100 cryptocurrencies and has been pivotal in the expansive growth of the digital currency market.
Further complicating Binance’s position, the exchange is also facing allegations of tax evasion, which has increased the scrutiny under which it operates. As well as highlighting the legal battles facing crypto exchanges, the trial marks a critical point in Nigeria’s efforts to control the impact of cryptocurrency on its economy.
Authorities in Nigeria have accused Binance of contributing to the depreciation of the Nigerian naira. The platform became a popular place to trade the naira amid a severe dollar shortage, which led to the naira reaching its lowest value ever.
In response to a nationwide crackdown, Binance announced in early March that it would halt all transactions in the Nigerian naira as it attempts to navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
