Nigeria is suing Binance for $81.5B tax evasion and economic damage, blaming it for the collapse of the naira and financial instability.
Nigeria just sued Binance for a record $81.5 billion, claiming that the exchange had caused enormous economic damage to the country. The suit demands $79.5 billion in damages and $2 billion in unpaid taxes. The devaluation of the naira was largely brought about by Binance, the Nigerian government claimed, and its foreign exchange trading damaged the local economy.
Binance has not yet registered in Nigeria, but the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) argues that the exchange has adequate presence to be taxed as a company. FIRS is requesting Binance to pay tax and penalty from three and two yeas ago for late payment. The government is asking for a 26.75% rate of interest on the unpaid tax.
In addition to tax issues, Binance is facing four counts of tax evasion, from failure to file tax returns to helping users evade taxes. The firm had previously stated it’s working with Nigerian regulators to resolve tax problems but has not responded to the new suit.
Meanwhile, Binance stopped transactions in Nigerian naira in March 2024 after the government intensified its crackdown on crypto exchanges. Binance is also facing separate money laundering charges, which it denies.
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