All USD routed through USA?

[jago25_98]

 I just read a rumour that all international USD payments get routed with an additional hop through the USA, even if it's going from (for example) an USD denominated account in say, Panama to a USD account in Bermuda.

 Is this true? I think it's relevant for anyone trying to cash out BTC.

 I guess changing currency would avoid this right? It might explain some unexpected higher fees.


edit:

"Intermediary instructions

An intermediary bank is required when sending a payment in a currency that is not the domestic currency for the destination country. For example a USD payment to HSBC in Hong Kong will need to be routed via a US Bank.

Do not worry if you have not been provided with an intermediary bank for a payment. Our dealers are able to locate the correct intermediary using their banking directories"

^ I wonder who Gox use and how stable the intermediary is.

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[Meni Rosenfeld]

I have no idea what is "required", I can only speak of my experiences wiring to mtgox. Sometimes an intermediary was used, sometimes it wasn't. The fees for the intermediary were in the range $25-$33. For at least one of the transfers, I think the intermediary was "HSBC BANK USA NA GEN REM A/C HK NEW CASTLE".

[repentance]

I just read a rumour that all international USD payments get routed with an additional hop through the USA, even if it's going from (for example) an USD denominated account in say, Panama to a USD account in Bermuda.

 Is this true? I think it's relevant for anyone trying to cash out BTC.

 I guess changing currency would avoid this right? It might explain some unexpected higher fees.


edit:

"Intermediary instructions

An intermediary bank is required when sending a payment in a currency that is not the domestic currency for the destination country. For example a USD payment to HSBC in Hong Kong will need to be routed via a US Bank.

Do not worry if you have not been provided with an intermediary bank for a payment. Our dealers are able to locate the correct intermediary using their banking directories"

^ I wonder who Gox use and how stable the intermediary is.

Where does the quote in your edit come from?

[Yankee (BitInstant)]

I just read a rumour that all international USD payments get routed with an additional hop through the USA, even if it's going from (for example) an USD denominated account in say, Panama to a USD account in Bermuda.

 Is this true? I think it's relevant for anyone trying to cash out BTC.

 I guess changing currency would avoid this right? It might explain some unexpected higher fees.


edit:

"Intermediary instructions

An intermediary bank is required when sending a payment in a currency that is not the domestic currency for the destination country. For example a USD payment to HSBC in Hong Kong will need to be routed via a US Bank.

Do not worry if you have not been provided with an intermediary bank for a payment. Our dealers are able to locate the correct intermediary using their banking directories"

^ I wonder who Gox use and how stable the intermediary is.

HSBC HK uses HSBC USA for their intermediary bank. Same thing with most banks that have branches in other countries.