Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

Hello qwert,
Regarding US tax liabilities, the below might be of interest.
And the MY banks ask for this in their customer questionnaires.
https://1040abroad.com/faq/who-is-a-...-tax-purposes/

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

So you want to first establish a non-Fixed Deposit account (to bring in your US$ @$40k) THEN withdraw that money in US$ currency and take it to a money changer to convert it to RMY? Then bring that back in to CIMB to establish your RMY Fixed Deposit account? There may very well be additional transaction fees involved in all of this (e.g. removing your regular deposit below the minimum to make it a free account) besides being dangerous security-wise. And, as you say, VITAL is only telling you what their exchange rates are...not their service charges.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

Yes the definition of a "US Person" who must report foreign bank and investment holdings for tax purposes is quite broad. It's not simply a US Citizen. But I understand that these reporting requirements are now becoming widespread internationally. The US began it, other nations are now implementing it as well.

Ironically, most US holders of bank accounts are not making the amounts of income that would even require paying US taxes. The movement of US assets abroad are on accounts that are already paid for (salaries previously taxed)...and the interest (say 4.5%/annum) is not likely to reach the $110k Foreign Asset Waiver. One would have place about $2.5million in an account to reach that.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

A very good point. That's why I use TransferWise...you know exactly how much will net into the account before sending. I've done it many times, in many different currencies, and it always worked... often ahead of their predicted time for the deposit to appear.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

Have anybody tried with Bitcoin? To buy from coinbase, etc and sell on Malaysia exchange? The rates seems slight higher in Malaysia, so could effectively be the best exchange rate available.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

Why not give us an example like I did in my post # 145 yesterday where a guaranteed amount would be deposited within a stated time.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

Ok, so now buy price on coinbase is $11281. Sell price on coins.my is MYR44473. So would be rate USDMY 3.9422. But some fees on coins.my end (not sure how much) and the bitcoin transfer fee (will vary).

So it's definitely not a fixed rate, but could turn out quite good. Especially if you keep some bitcoin to act as "buffer", so you could sell in Malaysia at the same time as you buy in US (or other exchange).

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

Re; Highlight.
That's my point...the devil is in those details and it's the same with many other forex traders. That's why I prefer TransferWise...it is a guaranteed net amount when you click 'send'.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

Yes, however with bitcoin there is a possibility to get better than interbank rates, because of the difference in Bitcoin prices between markeds.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

Or Worse

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

If you have a buffer so you can buy and sell at the same time then you would know and would only go ahead when you see what you get.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

From post 152:
''So you want to first establish a non-Fixed Deposit account (to bring in your US$ @$40k) THEN withdraw that money in US$ currency and take it to a money changer to convert it to RMY?''
As far as I know, you are not allowed to withdraw forex cash from a forex account in Malaysia. In Singapore it is however possible, but at a fee. CIMB SG charges for example around 0.8%-1% for withdrawals of EUR, USD, AUD, JPY or CAD

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

So what is that buffer...a bitcoin you bought for US$20,000 and now trying to sell for US$11,500?

Come on stepen lets face it.....your bitcoin idea to do forex is ridiculous unless you're money-laundering.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

I don't think that the Malaysian bank cares much about your Canadian passport, or the shared Commonwealth identity. My guess is that they fear more the US penalties they may face if they make a mistake in handling you as a customer, given the fact that you have clearly a relationship with the US tax authorities. And thus that the bank may face obligations to hand over certain information pertaining to you to those US tax authorities.

Re: Opening a Bank Account in Kuala Lumpur
 

Yes, Malaysian banks will not do any cash transactions with foreign currencies. Expect moneychanging with extremely shitty rates. You can have a USD or EUR account but cannot withdraw in cash.