Tigran Gambaryan has officially resigned from Binance after an eight-month detention in Nigeria. He served as Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance and led efforts to strengthen the company’s anti-money-laundering controls. His departure marks the end of a turbulent four-year tenure.
Resignation Announcement and LinkedIn Farewell
Gambaryan announced his departure on June 6, 2025, via LinkedIn. He wrote, “Today is my last day at Binance , marking the end of a chapter I’m deeply proud of”. He stated he will pursue new opportunities in public service or mission-driven private roles, focusing on bridging technology, enforcement and compliance.
His Role At Binance
Joining Binance in 2021, Gambaryan built and led a global investigations team comprised of over 100 former prosecutors, federal agents and analysts. His team responded to more than 57,000 law-enforcement requests worldwide. He played a pivotal role in aligning Binance with U.S. and international regulatory standards during a period of intense scrutiny.
The Nigerian Detention And Health Crisis
In February 2024, Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and another executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, on allegations of money laundering, tax evasion and currency manipulation. Gambaryan remained in custody until October 2024. He survived malaria, pneumonia tonsillitis and a herniated disc amid deplorable prison conditions. Authorities dropped charges against Gambaryan in October 2024 and granted his release on humanitarian grounds.
Departure Reflects Broader Shake-Up
Gambaryan’s exit adds to a wave of senior departures at Binance, including founder Changpeng Zhao and key compliance leaders. His departure underscores Binance’s ongoing effots to stabilize under regulatory pressure while professionalizing its operations under CEO Richard Teng.
What Comes Next For Gambaryan
He expressed intent to continue working at the intersection of tech and compliance. His resignation spotlights the personal risks compliance leaders face and raises questions about protection for professionals operating in complex global regulatory environments. Gambaryan’s next moves whether in public service or private sector, could influnce future compliance standards across the crypto industry.
