Since BitMEX rocketed to the tip of the crypto market, hosting hundreds of millions of dollars worth of nominal Bitcoin (BTC) trades each and every day, the company has come under pressure from regulators. And while the Asian startup is mostly well-respected, with its chief executive, former stock trader Arthur Hayes, being very forthcoming and “buddy-buddy” with media outlets, some are afraid that a handful of pertinent issues lie beneath BitMEX’s cheery front.<\/p>\n
No one knows this better than America’s dozens, if not hundreds of crypto commentators, who have seen their accounts purged en-masse. Even Tone Vays, a leading analyst that has effectively dedicated his life to the Bitcoin craft, saw his accounts terminated “on suspicion\u00a0of being a U.S. citizen.” Although Vays is an American national, he explained that his BitMEX referral kickback accounted for over half of his income and the loss of his account was a devastating hit.<\/p>\n
Yet, a recent exclusive report from an outlet situated in the region of BitMEX’s headquarters claims that these terminations are for good reason.<\/p>\n
Hasu, an independent\u00a0crypto researcher with thousands of followers, has long been a skeptic of BitMEX. In October, the researcher, masked by a pseudonym and cartoon profile picture, released a hit piece, which amounted to thousands of words, regarding the Seychelles-registered exchange. On Monday, the long-time Bitcoin proponent took to his Twitter page again to share an article from the South China Morning Post (SCMP)<\/a>, which divulged that the Hong Kong-headquartered firm has finally made moves to shutdown accounts from American and Quebecois users.<\/p>\n Looks like BitMEX, which illegally served US customers until now (and probably still is), was recently forced by the SEC to shut down US accounts. According to sources close to the company, the US accounted for 15% of their total user base. https:\/\/t.co\/Bn7hLWCZ9k<\/a><\/p>\n — Hasu\u26a1\ufe0f\ud83e\udd16 (@hasufl) January 15, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n