The Nigerian government has levied a staggering $10 billion fine against Binance, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange. This decision underscores Nigeria’s intensified efforts to regulate the crypto market and safeguard its economic stability.
This recent development in Nigeria highlights the global crackdown on illicit financial activities associated with cryptocurrency platforms.
Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, disclosed the fine during a BBC interview. Onanuga accused Binance of engaging in “illegal transactions” that profited the company while causing significant financial damage to the nation.
The Nigerian government’s actions come after reports of the detention of two Binance executives. These individuals were apprehended as part of a broader initiative to stabilize the country’s foreign exchange market, which has seen considerable volatility recently.
Nigerian authorities detained the individuals in Abuja shortly after arriving in Nigeria. Their visit aimed to negotiate with the local authorities amidst a crackdown on crypto platforms. However, the talks reached an impasse, with Binance officials reportedly refusing to comply with several demands from the government.
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The demands included providing transaction data related to the naira on the Binance platform over the past seven years and deleting certain data. The refusal of the Binance executives to meet these demands without diplomatic intervention sparked controversy.
The Nigerian government’s aggressive stance against Binance and other crypto firms is part of a broader strategy to combat currency speculation and money laundering. These activities are believed to significantly weaken the naira and undermine the country’s financial integrity.
“If we don’t clamp down on Binance, Binance will destroy the economy of this country,” Onanuga said.
Moreover, the government blocked crypto exchanges and similar entities to curb what it perceives as ongoing manipulation of the forex market and the illicit flow of funds. This move reflects Nigeria’s war against the cryptocurrency industry.
Binance, in response to the clampdown, stated that it would remove users engaging in manipulative practices from its platform. The company emphasized its commitment to cooperating with local authorities and regulators to address non-compliance issues.
The fine follows Binance’s admission of guilt and subsequent agreement to pay $4.3 billion to the US Department of Justice to settle criminal money laundering charges. In November 2023, the company’s CEO, Changpeng Zhao, pleaded guilty and announced his resignation.