Just a situation report, update for everyone as it relates to crypto.
I've been trying to buy bitcoin with my own hardearned cash via VISA, and they've been blocking EVERY transaction. I shit you not. I've asked others to try out the same thing, and the same end result occurs.
It's hard to tell the specific crunch point. Low value transactions (~$10 - $17) fly under their radar, but it seems things that are ~$50 or higher get denied, and once denied, they block all transactions.
They've stonewalled all bar one query (which carried a legal threat), but in replying they've now gone back to stonewalling again. I've already escalated to the appropriate legal body but it's curious how long they're going to block payments for.
I'm not the only one they've done it to, I've had a second person confirm.
What I'm curious about is if anyone else has had this issue of financial institutions abusing their powers (cough ANTITRUST, COUGH COUGH) against cryptocurrency purchases?
It would be a shame if, say, an anti-trust suit was levied against banks and card providers trying to stifle people buying up competing currencies in a free market economy. Especially against a rich card provider with a lot of money on their books.