5 Reasons CZ’s Claim of Gambaryan Migrant “Abduction” Riled Nigeria & Web3 Community

Updated

November 5, 2025

Gambar 5 Reasons CZ’s Claim of Gambaryan Migrant “Abduction” Riled Nigeria & Web3 Community

Jakarta, Pintu News – Binance founder Changpeng Zhao’s (CZ) controversial remarks regarding the detention of former Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria have caused a wave of outrage among Nigerians and Web3 influencers. CZ called Gambaryan’s detention a “kidnapping”, which sparked demands for an apology from various parties.

This article will review some of the reasons why the claim is so controversial and is gaining huge attention from the cryptocurrency community, particularly in Nigeria.

1. CZ Kidnapping Claims Spark Huge Controversy in Nigeria

Changpeng Zhao’s statement that Nigeria had “kidnapped” Tigran Gambaryan caused a strong reaction from many in Nigeria, both from the government and the general public. Gambaryan was detained by Nigerian authorities for about eight months before finally being released in October 2024.

The detention comes amid tensions between the Nigerian government and Binance over various allegations against the major cryptocurrency platform. Many in Nigeria, including Web3 leaders, felt that CZ’s statement showed disregard for their country’s legal system, which they considered to have properly carried out due process.

According to data from Bitcoin.com News, the tension between Binance and Nigeria stems from regulatory issues and alleged extortion by certain parties against Binance. However, many Nigerians have stated that despite Gambaryan’s acquittal, CZ’s statement is still disrespectful of the country’s laws and procedures.

Also Read: 5 Reasons Why Analysts Think November Could Be the Most Bullish Month for XRP (XRP)

2. Web3 Influencers Demand Apology from CZ

Several prominent figures in the Web3 community expressed disappointment with CZ, with some urging the Binance CEO to publicly apologize. Sunusi Danjuma Ali, a Nigerian Web3 activist, advised CZ to be more respectful of the legal system in Nigeria, as other countries do. “Just as the United States enforced the rule of law by establishing Binance-US, Nigeria also has the right to enforce the law in its territory,” Ali wrote in a tweet on the X platform.

The statement shows that although Binance has a large user base in Nigeria, many Web3 influencers in the country feel that Binance should be more compliant with local regulations, without creating new problems. It also shows the importance of a good relationship between the cryptocurrency industry and the governments of the countries where these platforms operate.

3. Controversy Leads to Boycott Binance and BNB

nigeria's crypto future — Source: The Cryptonomist

Following CZ’s comments, some Binance users in Nigeria started considering a boycott of the platform. They were dismayed by Binance’s seeming disdain for the laws of Nigeria. Not only that, some users are even questioning their loyalty to the Binance Coin token after this offensive statement.

Most Binance users in Nigeria feel that CZ’s statement shows disrespect for their country, which they say is very supportive of innovation and the cryptocurrency industry in Africa. The world’s largest cryptocurrency company, although not yet licensed by Nigerian regulators, still has a huge active user base in the country. Recent data shows that about 40% of Binance users in Nigeria engage in cryptocurrency trading, with Bitcoin and Ethereum being the top choices.

4. Response of the Nigerian Government and Web3 Community

The Nigerian government, through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, immediately responded to Donald Trump’s statement that sparked tensions over the protection of Christians in Nigeria. Trump’s statement accusing Nigeria of failing to protect the Christian community sparked a strong reaction from Nigerian officials who emphasized that their country was trying hard to deal with threats from extremist groups such as Boko Haram. However, they also emphasized that attacks do not only affect Christians, but also Muslims.

As diplomatic tensions between the US and Nigeria continue, their effect on the Web3 community in Nigeria is becoming more apparent. Several local blockchain organizations warned that irresponsible statements could be detrimental to the country’s burgeoning Web3 ecosystem. This shows the importance of careful diplomacy in the increasingly globalized world of cryptocurrency.

5. Impact of CZ Statement on Binance’s Reputation

This controversial statement not only affects Binance’s relationship with the Nigerian government, but also affects Binance’s reputation worldwide. As one of the largest cryptocurrency platforms, any controversy involving Binance could affect public perception of Binance Coin (BNB) and the future of the platform itself. Many industry observers caution that Binance should be more careful in communicating with countries that have strict legal frameworks.

Additionally, if these tensions are not resolved properly, Binance could lose the trust of users in emerging economies like Nigeria, which is Africa’s largest crypto market. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) remain the top choice for many traders, but these reputational issues could make many people look for alternatives.

Also Read: Can You Live Only on Crypto? Here are 3 Sources of Income & Challenges You Need to Know About

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