HSBC Bans Customers From Buying Bitcoin-Backer MicroStrategy Shares

HSBC has banned customers of its online share-trading platform from buying or moving into their accounts MicroStrategy stock, calling it a 'virtual currency product.' Reuters reports: The bank will not facilitate the buying or exchange of products related to or referencing the performance of virtual currencies, the message to an HSBC InvestDirect client said. MicroStrategy declined to comment. The U.S. business software firm is led by bitcoin proponent Michael Saylor and owns bitcoin worth billions of dollars.

While HSBC will allow the holding, sale and outgoing transfer of MicroStrategy shares, it will forbid new purchases or incoming transfers, said the message dated March 29. 'HSBC has no appetite for direct exposure to virtual currencies and limited appetite to facilitate products or securities that derive their value from VCs (virtual currencies),' HSBC said in a statement. The bank said its policy towards cryptocurrencies had been in place since 2018 and is kept under review.

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