The Albuquerque City Council in New Mexico approved an ordinance on Wednesday that bans cryptocurrency ATMs, or crypto kiosks, from operating within city limits and also bars virtual currency transactions assisted by cashiers. Under the measure, the city will notify known operators and retailers hosting the machines and require them to remove the devices within 45 days. The ordinance was introduced by District 1 Councilor Stephanie Telles and District 7 Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. Telles said 90% of crypto ATM transactions in Albuquerque are linked to fraud, adding that the machines are used primarily by scammers, organized crime groups, and human traffickers because the transactions are instant, anonymous, and irreversible. Fiebelkorn said the city cannot wait for federal regulators to resolve the problem. The council said residents will still be free to hold, mine, and transfer cryptocurrencies through online exchanges and personal wallets. The move comes as Indiana, Tennessee, and Minnesota have already enacted statewide bans on such machines, while Delaware, New Jersey, and Texas are advancing or considering similar restrictions. Bitcoin Depot, one of the largest operators in North America, filed for bankruptcy protection in May and removed about 9,700 machines. FBI data shows nearly 11,000 kiosk fraud complaints in 2024 involving more than $246 million.
The Albuquerque City Council in New Mexico passed an ordinance on Wednesday banning cryptocurrency ATMs, also described as crypto kiosks, from operating within city limits. The measure also prohibits virtual currency transactions carried out with assistance from cashiers.
Under the ordinance, the city government will notify known operators and the retailers hosting the machines, requiring them to remove the equipment within 45 days.
Council members cited fraud concerns
The ordinance was jointly introduced by District 1 Councilor Stephanie Telles and District 7 Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn.
Telles said 90% of crypto ATM transactions in Albuquerque are connected to fraud. She said the machines are used mainly by scammers, organized crime, and human traffickers because the transactions are instant, anonymous, and irreversible.
Fiebelkorn said the city could not wait for federal regulators to solve the crisis.
Residents can still hold, mine, and transfer crypto
The city council said residents will still be free to hold, mine, and transfer cryptocurrencies through online exchanges and personal wallets.
Other states are moving in the same direction
As background, Indiana in March, Tennessee in July, and Minnesota in August each imposed statewide bans on these machines. Delaware has advanced related legislation, New Jersey is considering similar action, and Texas is also preparing a ban.
Bitcoin Depot, one of the largest operators in North America, filed for bankruptcy protection in May and removed about 9,700 machines.
According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, nearly 11,000 kiosk fraud complaints were filed in 2024, involving more than $246 million.
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