Quote from risktaker:
The "solution" is this...
If you're US-based or US citizen, you open an account with a non-USbased broker outside of US.
If you're NOT US-based/NOT US citizen, then you open an account with a US-based broker like IB.
Simple.
Yes and no.
1. If you are talking online trading..most will not directly allow US Citizens.
2. That leave you with an old fashioned brokerage house. High comissions which would make your momma blush. We are talking 1% of the account to make a trade.
3. as stated above, they do get all your info, they do a KYC, AML and you normally need to prove non-US residence..utility bill, Lease agreement, mortgage, deed. etc.
4. NOW, if you get past all that BS you would be home free. Odds are the company just has a master account with a prime broker.. your info never gets reported. you could cheat/launder to your hearts content and the brokerage house wouldnt know the difference.
When I was at Scotia, there was just a big master account in the name of the company. The accounts were segregated internally and the IRS nor the SEC nor the prime broker ever saw this. I brought this to the attention of the CEO but he didnt care either. They did AML thorugh compliance and such...but they just wanted to keep out drug dealers. You had to fill out tax forms but they never went anywhere..they just did it for intimidation purposes and to have on file.