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In a twist straight out of the crypto playbook, Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, has been freed from Nigerian custody. Held since February, the former IRS agent was arrested when he tried to hash things out with Nigerian authorities over a ban on crypto trading platforms. But his health, battered by malaria, a chest infection, and a herniated disc, became the key reason why the charges were dropped.

Gambaryan’s ordeal lasted eight long months, with U.S. officials working to get him out. His health reportedly spiraled downwards during his detention, and at one point, he collapsed in court due to his worsening condition.

Health Issues Push Release Decision

Binance’s crypto compliance boss wasn’t just battling regulatory walls. His physical health deteriorated rapidly in Nigerian custody. Malaria? Check. Chest infection? Got that too. And if that wasn’t enough, a herniated disc had him struggling to walk. His family claimed his medical needs were being ignored, and things reached a breaking point.

Even though Nigerian officials insisted Gambaryan was fine, U.S. Congressman Rep. French Hill wasn’t buying it. In July, he visited Gambaryan in prison and raised alarms about his poor condition. A family spokesperson went further, calling his health “shockingly bad.” But despite all this, Gambaryan’s bail request was denied just two weeks ago.

The denial didn’t sit well with his family, who believed that his medical situation should’ve fast-tracked his release. His inability to attend court due to poor health led to postponed hearings. But now, the court has scrapped the case, citing his health as the reason, freeing him from further proceedings.

Crypto Politics at Play?

While Gambaryan battled physical setbacks, some fingers pointed at the bigger political picture. U.S. Congressman Rich McCormick was vocal, saying that crypto “laziness” and Biden’s “soft” international policies slowed the efforts to bring him home. McCormick’s take added fuel to the fire, as the government scrambled to address the case, pushing for Gambaryan to be declared “unlawfully detained” under the same act that led to Brittney Griner’s release from Russia.

Gambaryan’s case has drawn parallels to other high-profile detentions, sparking conversations about how crypto-related legal issues and international policy intersect.