The key part is that a refund is required. Using FINCEN's guidance, Bitcoin is currency. It is therefore reasonable to demand payment of the refund in the currency that was tendered.
There was a related ruling earlier this year where Coinlab's was ordered to deliver BTC as they had contracted rather than returning cash as they had tried to do.
Nothing is open and shut in Bitcoin at this stage. But there is an argument on both sides.
Currency also does not equal cash. FinCEN also said that virtual currencies are NOT legal tender.
The Coinlab case is different as a contractual obligation is, and should be, enforced as written.
The fact that it currently might not be legal tender does NOT interrupt its EQUIVALENCE to currency!. Do listen to the director of FInCEN acknowledging Bitcoin status back in November irrespective of "tenderness":
"....A convertible virtual currency either has an equivalent value in real currency, or ACTS as a SUBSTITUTE for real currency. In other words, it IS a virtual currency that CAN be exchanged for REAL currency...."
In other words, we don't give a shit if it's "legal" tender or not. If HF is TAKING currency from us, for applicable refunds, HF needs to refund 100% of that currency to us.
Anyhow, leave that to a lawyer and let's not waste time believing we are lawyers.
The People of The United States of America vs. Hashfast. Let the lawsuit begin!!
Can someone please post online a TEXT version of both the OLD email confirmation (with full refund text) and old TOS to show to judges the multiple violations HF is liable for?