Quote from: Ludwig Von Mises on December 19, 2013, 01:11:44 AM

I live in China, and trade bitcoin OTC, localbitcoins, and using btcchina.

I think this is a false rumor: I have seen nothing to indicate that people are required to withdraw their cash by Chinese New Year. In fact, the PBOC (China central bank) explicitly said people can continue to trade bitcoin, but they are treating it as a "commodity" rather than a "currency". This is actually a good thing, because use of alternative currencies is not allowed in China.

You can still buy bitcoin as usual on btcchina, but selling (convert to Chinese Yuan RMB) is "temporarily" suspended. Note they explicitly say they will provide "other ways of recharging." (see below)

My guess is, the suspension will be lifted in a few days, after the rules are clarified, and it will be back to normal. I think ultimately China will go for the USA model: try to force all trades through registered exchanges that require proof of identity and use of banks. This will allow them to track and regulate money exchange.

If I am wrong, and bank transfers are not allowed, then it will simply force bitcoin trade underground. It will not stop bitcoin. People like me will make a premium selling OTC and localbitcoins to Chinese who are desperate to buy bitcoin Grin

The biggest users of bitcoin in China are rich guys who want to move or hide large quantities of RMB. Bitcoin is the perfect vehicle for them, but they will use OTC trades for anonymity, anyway.

Governments and banksters are afraid of what they don't understand and can't control. They can fight bitcoin, but bitcoin is bigger than governments, and will continue to grow regardless.

--
Here is the official notice on BTC China, and translation:

亲爱的各位比特币中国(BTC China)用户：由于众所周知的原因，比特币中国(BTC China)不得不暂时停止人民币充值功能，比特币充值、比特币提现和人民币提现不受影响，比特币中国(BTC China)会继续运营。请大家继续关注我们的主页，我们会尽快提供其他的充值途径。给您带来的不便，我们在此表达深深的歉意。比特币中国(BTC China)2013.12.18

Dear bitcoin China (BTC China) users: due to well-known reasons, bitcoin China (BTC China) had to temporarily freeze the recharging function, bitcoin charging, coins and currency are not affected, bitcoin China (BTC China) will continue to operate. Please continue to focus on our home page, we will provide other means of recharging. To bring you any inconvenience, we express profound apology. Bitcoin China (BTC China) 2013.12.18

Quote from: xselam1988 on December 18, 2013, 01:46:37 PM

Anyone wants to set a protest in DC against Chinese government freezing all Chinese bitcoin trade platforms?
Chinese government just ceased all bank from trading with all bitcoin/LTC/etc related platforms. ALL PLAYERS HAS TO WITHDRAW before Chinese the new year.
They cut the price to almost 1/3
Now here is no way for chinese not to sell.
After chinese new year in January. These platforms will have no way to cash out.
so there will be no chinese way to sell bitcoins. And remember they have the Great Firewall. Mtgox is already banned in china.

3505 International Pl NW
Washington, DC 20008

if you can read chinese, then
央行已约谈了银行、支付宝、财付通等相关负责人，明确要求银行、支付机构不能给比特币、莱特币等交易网站提供支付与清算服务；对于已经发生业务的支付机构应解除商务合作；对于存量款项可在春节前完成提现，不得发生新的支付业务。(finish all cash outs before chinese new year and no further business for banks with these BTC or LTCetc platforms)
此前，中国人民银行等五部门发布《关于防范比特币风险的通知》，要求各金融机构和支付机构不得开展与比特币相关的业务。该文件指明，各金融机构和支付机构不得以比特币为产品或服务定价，不得买卖或作为中央对手买卖比特币，不得承保与比特币相关的保险业务或将比特币纳入保险责任范围，不得直接或间接为客户提供其他与比特币相关的服务。
截止北京时间今日上午7时，在国内各大比特币交易平台比特币价格约为2800元人民币，较一个月前的7000元人民币已大幅下跌。