2013-04-11 Israeli banks limit money connected to bitcoin.

[farfiman]

http://glz.co.il/1087-15603-HE/Galatz.aspx


"Banks in Israel against bitcoin ': Jonah Liibzon, Israeli banks are struggling virtual currency holders. In some branches of banks began to restrict this coin changers, whose value soared in recent months, and is not subject to any government control. Bitcoin dealers "are no longer authorized to transfer or receive dollars from Japan, where most trading takes place in the industry."

From Israeli radio.  translated with google
 

[n8rwJeTt8TrrLKPa55eU]

Whoa, if true, this would be quite significant, and one of the more oppressive Bitcoin-related restrictions to date: a blanket ban on all monetary interactions with Japan!?  I'd guess either the report is missing some details or something was lost in the translation, perhaps one of our Israeli members can shed some light?

[MikeH]

not surprised that would happen in Israel, central banksters 2nd home.

[kiko]

Welcome to the UK. This has been the case here for years.

Note that it doesn't prevent Israelis from wiring money to mt.gox from their personal accounts. It just means there won't be legit bitcoin exchanges based out of Israel.

Still a scum-bag move, however.

[Gabi]

And so it begins. 

[caveden]

Note that it doesn't prevent Israelis from wiring money to mt.gox from their personal accounts. It just means there won't be legit bitcoin exchanges based out of Israel.

That's not what I understood from OP. It seems that banks are forbidding people to send money to MtGox.

Whoa, if true, this would be quite significant, and one of the more oppressive Bitcoin-related restrictions to date

+1 The most oppressive, no doubt. So far only business were being censored, never individuals.

[kiko]

That's not what I understood from OP. It seems that banks are forbidding people to send money to MtGox.

So when they say 'Bitcoin dealers' what they really mean is anyone in Israel? Can OP please confirm who is restricted from doing what.

[caveden]

Yeah, this is not very clear, and I'm not even sure it's true.
I opened a topic in Hebrew section, perhaps someone in loco will have something to say.

[Meni Rosenfeld]

I'm not sure that broadcast has all its facts right.

Things are in a bit of disarray and I only have first-hand knowledge of some of the events.

I think "banning transfers to Mtgox" is the exception rather than the rule (and that banning transfers to Japan in general is a fib). The rule is imposing limitations on local Bitcoin exchange services due to a concern about AML compliance.

The whole thing is currently being explored with several government agencies.

[ronfinberg]

If anyone is interested - we translated the article here http://forexmagnates.com/israel-banks-limiting-bitcoin-buying-waiting-for-regulatory-decisions/

Also, for what its worth, one of my contacts was recently able to make a transfer to a non-Japanese exchange

[n8rwJeTt8TrrLKPa55eU]

If anyone is interested - we translated the article here http://forexmagnates.com/israel-banks-limiting-bitcoin-buying-waiting-for-regulatory-decisions/

Also, for what its worth, one of my contacts was recently able to make a transfer to a non-Japanese exchange

Thank you.

My guess is that they will come out with some variant on the FinCEN guidance.  Copying US precedent sems like the easiest route for bureaucrats to cover their rears.

[mrb]

Welcome to the UK. This has been the case here for years.

Huh? AFAIK UK residents are authorized to transfer or receive dollars from Japan.

[SebastianJu]

Whats new with this? Germans that want to trade bitcoins at bitcoin.de (sending money directly to other customers and receiving directly to bank account) know already that these activities will lead fast to a closed bank account. The only solution nowadays is to use a bank account with a polish bank that doesnt bother about bitcoins. In fact they will make quite some bucks because everyone goes to them.
But using your normal bank account for bitcoin business is a high risk and you have a good chance to lose your account. The reason is that the banks fear money laundering. They could ask back but they dont want to because it makes work. So they close, dont tell a reason, and dont have work with it. There are enough other customers that dont make trouble.
So in my opinion... israeli banks disallow it... but at least they dont close the account and cause you much trouble.

[Seth Otterstad]

IIRC, there were 5+ bitcoin exchanges in Israel.

[ripper234]

IIRC, there were 5+ bitcoin exchanges in Israel.

I think the number is closer to 10.
Here is an official press release I just wrote in Hebrew (Facebook). Could someone translate to English and post here?

Sorry, had to remove the post for the time being, but I will definitely update later.
Please be patient for a little bit more

[bittenbob]

This is one of the first major steps taken by a government against Bitcoin. It's too bad Israelis can't buy directly from Gox. However, they can for now at least buy Bitcoins at BIPS which is in Denmark. We also sell directly for ILS.

[ripper234]

This is one of the first major steps taken by a government against Bitcoin. It's too bad Israelis can't buy directly from Gox. However, they can for now at least buy Bitcoins at BIPS which is in Denmark. We also sell directly for ILS.

1. Who says the steps are taken by governments?
2. Who says Israelis can't buy directly on Gox? We've been buying on Gox for 2 years now ... it's just slow and complicated (at least 2-3 days to wire money, verifications, forms to fill out etc.).

[farfiman]

This is one of the first major steps taken by a government against Bitcoin. It's too bad Israelis can't buy directly from Gox. However, they can for now at least buy Bitcoins at BIPS which is in Denmark. We also sell directly for ILS.

link?

found it: https://bips.me/    but those prices are crazy it seems.

[bittenbob]

It appears I didn't take enough time to read it problem . The banks are taking action, not the government - yet.

[Nemesis]

This is one of the first major steps taken by a government against Bitcoin. It's too bad Israelis can't buy directly from Gox. However, they can for now at least buy Bitcoins at BIPS which is in Denmark. We also sell directly for ILS.

1. Who says the steps are taken by governments?
2. Who says Israelis can't buy directly on Gox? We've been buying on Gox for 2 years now ... it's just slow and complicated (at least 2-3 days to wire money, verifications, forms to fill out etc.).

How hard is it to withdraw fiat from MtGox?

I'm curious how the exchange works for you guys there. What about local exchange? does this affect them greatly?