Bitcoin: Westpac, NAB and ANZ hold off on CBA-style credit card ban

ANZ, Westpac and NAB have confirmed they do not currently plan to emulate the Commonwealth Bank’s ban on the use of its credit cards to purchase Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies.

“Due to the unregulated and highly volatile nature of virtual currencies, customers will no longer be able to use their CommBank credit cards to buy virtual currencies,” CBA announced earlier this week.

Bitcoin’s value has swung wildly in recent months, dropping from US$19,000 in late 2017 to close to $6000 earlier this month. Coinmarketcap currently pegs it at just over $10,000.

CBA said that customers could still purchase Bitcoin as well as other digital currencies by using their debit cards or direct bank transfers.

“We have made this decision because we believe virtual currencies do not meet minimum standard of regulation, reliability, and reputation when compared to currencies that we offer to our customers,” the bank said.

“Given the dynamic, volatile nature of virtual currency markets, this position is regularly reviewed.”

Spokespeople from ANZ, Westpac and NAB said there had been no change in their approach to the issue.

The banks indicated that they would still attempt to block suspicious transactions, however.

To read more, please click on the link below…

Source: Bitcoin: Westpac, NAB and ANZ hold off on CBA-style credit card ban – Computerworld