Binance's Head of Compliance Leaves Position Following Detention in Nigeria
In a surprising move, Tigran Gambaryan, the former Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, has announced his departure from the crypto exchange. Gambaryan joined Binance in 2021, bringing with him a wealth of experience as a former IRS special agent. During his tenure, he built a 100-person team of ex-prosecutors, agents, and compliance experts, playing a key role in Binance's efforts to legitimize its operations amid growing regulatory scrutiny.
Under Gambaryan's leadership, Binance responded to over 57,000 law enforcement requests, demonstrating the exchange's commitment to transparency and compliance. However, Gambaryan's profile rose dramatically in 2024 when he was detained by Nigerian authorities over allegations tied to his Binance role. He was released last fall after a health scare during his confinement.
Gambaryan's departure comes as Binance continues a leadership shake-up that started in 2023. Binance founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao stepped down last year as part of a U.S. plea deal over anti-money laundering violations. At least 16 top executives have left Binance in the past two years, including Chief Strategy Officer Patrick Hillmann and Compliance SVP Steven Christie.
Current CEO Richard Teng, a former regulator, has steered Binance toward a more corporate, compliance-first direction. It remains to be seen where Gambaryan will focus his efforts next. In his departure statement on LinkedIn, Gambaryan expressed his intention to continue making a difference as a trusted, experienced operator, hinting at potential opportunities in the public sector or mission-driven private organizations.
As of June 8, 2025, the specific details about Gambaryan's post-Binance plans are not yet clear. We will continue to monitor news sources for updates on his career moves as they emerge.
- Amidst the ongoing leadership shake-up at Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, who has played a crucial role in the exchange's business and finance operations and its efforts towards technology-driven compliance, might seek new opportunities in sectors like general-news, crime-and-justice, or public service organizations that require his expertise and extensive experience.
- The recent departure of Tigran Gambaryan, a key figure in Binance's business and compliance team, could potentially impact technology-driven financial businesses as they navigate complex regulatory environments, producing a ripple effect in the general-news and crime-and-justice arenas.
