Xapo to Shutter Services in the United States

Thursday, 31/12/2020 | 06:59 GMT by Arnab Shome
  • The company is aiming to offer digital banking services in emerging markets.
Xapo to Shutter Services in the United States
xapo

Xapo, one of the oldest Bitcoin custodial services, is wrapping up its services in the United States from March 1, according to a report by Coindesk.

The company is sending emails to its American clients informing them about the closure and requesting them to withdraw their funds from Xapo wallets. It has already suspended Bitcoin purchasing and receiving services for US clients.

“Due to a change in our global business strategy, Xapo, Inc. is leaving the U.S. market and will be closing all U.S. customer Xapo accounts. As a result, we’ll need you to transfer your funds to an external Bitcoin address,” the email read.

From Custodian to Digital Banker

The report also outlined that the company is pivoting from its custodian business to offer digital banking services.

Xapo’s Founder and CEO, Wences Casares, confirmed the shift of focus in its business and revealed that the company will now target clients in emerging countries. It is focusing on clients with savings between $30,000 and $1 million, who want to hold their money in foreign currencies but do not have access to private banking services.

The decision to move out of the US is justified, given that the high bar of providing private banking services in the country. Xapo already has a banking license in Gibraltar.

Headquartered in Switzerland, Xapo is an original member of the Facebook-led Diem Association, previously known as the Libra Association. While many early members left the digital currency project, it kept its support for it.

Furthermore, Xapo made headlines when it sold its institutional business to Coinbase last year for $55 million. However, the company is facing a lawsuit in the US for allowing the storage of stolen Bitcoins.

Xapo, one of the oldest Bitcoin custodial services, is wrapping up its services in the United States from March 1, according to a report by Coindesk.

The company is sending emails to its American clients informing them about the closure and requesting them to withdraw their funds from Xapo wallets. It has already suspended Bitcoin purchasing and receiving services for US clients.

“Due to a change in our global business strategy, Xapo, Inc. is leaving the U.S. market and will be closing all U.S. customer Xapo accounts. As a result, we’ll need you to transfer your funds to an external Bitcoin address,” the email read.

From Custodian to Digital Banker

The report also outlined that the company is pivoting from its custodian business to offer digital banking services.

Xapo’s Founder and CEO, Wences Casares, confirmed the shift of focus in its business and revealed that the company will now target clients in emerging countries. It is focusing on clients with savings between $30,000 and $1 million, who want to hold their money in foreign currencies but do not have access to private banking services.

The decision to move out of the US is justified, given that the high bar of providing private banking services in the country. Xapo already has a banking license in Gibraltar.

Headquartered in Switzerland, Xapo is an original member of the Facebook-led Diem Association, previously known as the Libra Association. While many early members left the digital currency project, it kept its support for it.

Furthermore, Xapo made headlines when it sold its institutional business to Coinbase last year for $55 million. However, the company is facing a lawsuit in the US for allowing the storage of stolen Bitcoins.

About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome
  • 6611 Articles
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About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He entered the industry covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates and later expanded his reach to forex as well. He is passionate about the changing regulatory landscape on financial markets and keenly follows the disruptions in the industry with new-age technologies.
  • 6611 Articles
  • 97 Followers

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