Binance, a cryptocurrency giant, has refuted the Nigerian government’s claims that they are negotiating to pay a $10 billion fine.
A Binance official stated it had no discussions regarding a $10 billion fine with the Nigerian government but hopes to resume services “very soon.”
“We recently discussed ways to resolve issues with Nigeria, but we did not hear any demand for $10 billion,” a Binance official told the People’s Gazette.
“Our aim is to chart a good relationship with the government and the people of Nigeria. We want to see our services restored in Nigeria very soon, but we have no intention of paying fines for personnel or services.”
The Binance official also confirmed reports that the government detained two of their officials invited to Nigeria.
Bayo Onanuga, a spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, on Friday told the BBC that the government “may impose heavy fines” on Binance for allegedly aiding those fixing the Nigerian exchange rate to sabotage the economy.
Onanuga later clarified his statement, saying he never claimed the company had been officially informed of the fine or that the amount was finalised at $10 billion.
“I never said Binance had been informed about the fines or that it would definitely be $10 billion. I only said the amount may be imposed, which is because nothing has been finalised yet,” Onanuga said.
Onanuga accused Binance of “harbouring people who fix the exchange rate, which quickly affects the Nigerian economy for the time when Nigeria is trying to stabilise the economy.”
