HSBC Canada Blocking Crypto Purchases?

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#1Nov 13, 2017, 10:36 PM
I’ve got some crypto already but just tried to buy a little bit of BTCC, you know, that Canadian Bitcoin ETF. Every time I try through HSBC Invest Direct it blocks me. They say "alert! your trade ticket was rejected due to no trades allowed on Virtual Currencies". What gives?
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serHero Member
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#2Nov 14, 2017, 02:02 AM
Seems like banks have their own rules about crypto. Some just say no outright, others are kinda vague, and then you’ve got ones that only care about profits. But HSBC? Honestly shocked at how careful they’ve gotten now after they used to be mixed up in money laundering.
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lord88Full Member
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#3Nov 14, 2017, 02:33 AM
Yeah, it's wild. Not every bank can just block crypto stuff. I had a buddy who cashed out some Bitcoin thinking it’d hit his bank instantly. Turns out, they interrogated him about where the cash was from and suddenly he had to close his account. Crazy.
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#4Nov 14, 2017, 06:42 AM
If you’re trying to buy with credit through your bank, that's probably where the rejection is coming from. Banks are saying there's too much risk here. And as for Canada banning crypto? I doubt that's the case. We even had the first Bitcoin ETF. So it’s just your bank being picky.
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AtomicForkFull Member
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#5Nov 14, 2017, 09:12 AM
For real, they just don’t want to deal with it. They’ve done their shady stuff before, now they see crypto as a threat to their game.
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#6Nov 14, 2017, 10:04 AM
But what if I flipped it around? Like, if I wanted to cash out a Bitcoin and put the cash in my bank, would they freeze my account if they don’t like crypto? What happens then?
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serHero Member
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#7Nov 14, 2017, 12:14 PM
Yeah, they might freeze it. They could ask where the money came from, not just the cash you’re depositing, but the original funds used to buy your BTC. In some places, banks have to report anything that looks sketchy, so be careful.
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#8Nov 14, 2017, 04:11 PM
To clarify, Canadian banks can freeze accounts but can’t just take your money unless you owe them. The government can seize if they see illegal sources, though. HSBC in the UK has banned crypto deposits, so Canada might follow suit. Honestly, switching to another bank could save you a lot of hassle.
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#9Nov 14, 2017, 09:49 PM
That makes sense, thanks for the heads up!
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#10Nov 15, 2017, 12:57 AM
In Canada, there’s this legit exchange called Bitbuy. If it’s compliant with FINTRAC, banks should accept transactions via e-transfer. Just keep in mind that big transactions (like 10k+) get reported to authorities, plus you might have to deal with capital gains tax. You could also use a TFSA for some tax benefits.
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#11Nov 15, 2017, 06:47 AM
Man, this is rough. Sounds like Canada wants everyone buying their ETFs instead of using real crypto. Wouldn’t it be cool if someone set up a bank just for crypto users? No more restrictions!
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mr_wolfMember
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#12Nov 15, 2017, 07:39 AM
Good luck getting a banking license if you’re in crypto. It’s a headache with all the regulations and sketchy users. Everyone thought banks would disappear because of crypto, but it looks like they’re figuring out how to coexist instead.
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#13Nov 15, 2017, 11:12 AM
You’re making it sound like Canada is super strict like India, but that’s not quite right. Even the ETF transaction you mentioned is blocked by HSBC. Canada’s not that tough on crypto laws just some banks don’t deal with it. They don’t stop deposits from exchanges, though.
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#14Nov 16, 2017, 04:27 PM
Most banks do have a negative stance on crypto, but not all. Some still deal with it. Each bank has its rules, and it varies by country. In general, they’re all under government scrutiny which restricts crypto dealings.
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#15Nov 16, 2017, 04:45 PM
Different banks have different opinions on crypto. Where I’m at, the government has a neutral stance. Some banks are totally against crypto, while others are chill about it.
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hypertokenHero Member
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#16Nov 16, 2017, 06:27 PM
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. Some banks in Canada accept crypto but others just don’t want anything to do with it. It’s all about their policies.
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