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A comment on HSBC bans customers from buying Bitcoin-backer MicroStrategy shares. Parent comment

Re:HSBC bans customers from buying Bitcoin-backer MicroStrat... by elliekelly on Monday April 12, 2021 @11:02PM (#26787708)
Knowing absolutely nothing about this particular situation I’d be willing to bet this decision is a lingering side effect of HSBC’s most recent (and seemingly perpetual) AML issues. I suspect they’re trying to appear squeaky clean and an action like this is quick, easy to implement operationally, and looks good to regulators who are uneasy about cryptocurrency’s reputation for facilitating criminal activity online.
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Re:HSBC bans customers from buying Bitcoin-backer MicroStrat... by BelenusMordred on Tuesday April 13, 2021 @12:51AM (#26788230)
I don't see how kyc/aml applies to this particular stock over every single other ticker they will happily sell you? There's no difference, they aren't selling cryptocurrency here.
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Re:HSBC bans customers from buying Bitcoin-backer MicroStrat... by AnthonyMouse on Tuesday April 13, 2021 @02:55AM (#26788927)
> I don't see how kyc/aml applies to this particular stock over every single other ticker they will happily sell you? There's no difference, they aren't selling cryptocurrency here.

It's the equivalent of security theater. Do something conspicuous that they can spin as having done something about the problem. That serves their purpose regardless of whether it actually does any good or makes any sense.

On top of that, cryptocurrency kind of competes with banks, so they have an excuse to cause trouble for the competition.

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Re:HSBC bans customers from buying Bitcoin-backer MicroStrat... by londons_explore on Tuesday April 13, 2021 @02:42AM (#26788850)
Buying or shorting this stock to the tune of billions of dollars might be a good way for a drug dealer to mitigate the currency fluctuation risk to his big pile of illicit bitcoins stashed under his bed.
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Re:HSBC bans customers from buying Bitcoin-backer MicroStrat... by Uw7yTcf36gTc on Tuesday April 13, 2021 @09:25AM (#26791816)
Easier and cheaper to do with Bitcoin futures
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