US and Nigeria form alliance to fight crypto crime

The United States and Nigeria have launched the Bilateral Liaison Group on Illicit Finance and Cryptocurrencies in an effort to counter cybercrime and illicit financial activities involving digital assets, such as cryptocurrency.

This joint initiative, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Justice and Nigerian authorities, aims to enhance cross-border cybercrime investigation capacity as digital finance activities expand globally.

The group’s formation also coincides with the recent release of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, who had been detained in Nigeria since February on allegations of money laundering and currency manipulation.

The Bilateral Liaison Group aligns with U.S. goals to advance safe cyberspace operations while addressing challenges posed by digital asset transactions.

According to the U.S. State Department, the collaboration aims to streamline coordination between the two countries’ enforcement bodies, reinforcing Nigeria’s ability to investigate and prosecute cybercrime and crypto-related financial crimes.

Tigran Gambaryan’s release

The formation of this group comes at a significant moment in the “crypto relationship” between the two countries. As mentioned earlier, the announcement of the group follows Nigeria’s decision to dismiss charges against Gambaryan due to health concerns. While it remains uncertain whether these two events are connected, the new group may help ease some of the strained relations.

Detained for months at Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja, Gambaryan was denied bail earlier this month despite his deteriorating health conditions, including a herniated disk, malaria, and pneumonia. Nigerian authorities eventually released him, citing his need for medical treatment not available within the prison system.

Gambaryan’s colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who was also detained earlier this year, managed to escape to Kenya in March. Both were initially held following a visit to Nigeria that led to accusations of financial misconduct.

Binance had repeatedly advocated for Gambaryan’s release, claiming he was not acting as a decision-maker for the company during his visit and alleging that Nigerian officials had suggested a covert payment to resolve the matter, a claim Nigeria denies.