On April 9, 2021, Twitter user Cameron Winklevoss tweeted a screenshot of a message from Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), informing the recipients that they have changed the policy on cryptocurrencies.
…then they fight you. HSBC is not only banning the purchase of #Bitcoin but also new purchases of MicroStrategy $MSTR. pic.twitter.com/Yt6c2xbXad
— Cameron Winklevoss (@cameron) April 9, 2021
The message heavily implied that customers are prohibited from trading the stock of MicroStrategy, a business analytics firm that is linked to Bitcoin.
The new policies on virtual currencies stated that trading of the stocks that mimic the price movements of those assets are not allowed.
The message added that it has detected a virtual currency product from MicroStrategy Inc in the recipient’s HIDC (HSBC InvestDirect) holdings, to which they said that it will not be permitted.
As of late, HSBC seems to be actively opposing everything crypto-related. On January 12, 2021, the bank made an announcement that it would cease its support of clients that deal with crypto exchanges in the UK.
