Crypto ATM

Alabama

2026-10-01 18:41:59

Alabama crypto ATM refund rule takes effect, eligible new users can receive full reimbursement

A new refund rule for cryptocurrency ATM operators in Alabama took effect on Oct. 1, creating a reimbursement framework for users who report fraud under specified conditions. Under the rule, eligible new users can receive a full refund of both the transaction amount and fees, while existing users can recover half of the transaction amount plus fees. The definition of a new user covers a person’s first crypto ATM transaction and the following 30 days. To qualify after a disputed payment, users must notify the operator, law enforcement, and the Alabama Securities Commission within 60 calendar days and submit a fraud report. The rule also sets transaction caps: $1,000 per day and $10,000 per month for new users, and $10,500 per day for existing users. Operators must disclose fees, the crypto and U.S. dollar amounts involved, and exchange-rate information. Operators headquartered in the United States must also provide a toll-free customer service line staffed in the U.S. around the clock. FBI records cited in the report show 177 crypto ATM fraud complaints in Alabama in 2025, with reported losses nearing $3 million. Nationwide, related complaints reached 13,460 over the same period, with losses approaching $389 million.

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crypto ATM

2026-09-27 09:36:00

Global crypto ATM count falls to 27,358, back to levels last seen in 2021

The global number of cryptocurrency ATMs has dropped to 27,358, returning to levels not seen since 2021, according to an Odaily report citing Bitcoin.com News. Since July 8, the worldwide total has fallen by 587 machines, with the United States accounting for 476 of that decline. The report also said regulatory activity around crypto ATMs and self-service terminals has expanded across the U.S. since 2023. A total of 35 states have passed legislation involving such machines. Indiana, Tennessee and Minnesota have already banned them, while Vermont has extended its pause on new terminal deployments. Even with the recent decline, the U.S. still holds the dominant share of the global installed base at 71.4%. Canada accounts for 13.5%, Oceania 7%, and Europe 5.6%. The U.S., Canada and Australia together make up about 91% of the global total, showing that crypto ATM distribution remains heavily concentrated in a small number of markets.

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Albuquerque

2026-09-14 06:44:03

Albuquerque bans crypto ATMs and over-the-counter crypto trading services

Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed Ordinance O-26-49 on Sept. 10, banning the operation, hosting, or facilitation of crypto ATMs and over-the-counter cryptocurrency trading services within city limits. According to Bitcoin.com News, City Councilor Stephanie W. Telles said about 90% of such transactions in the area are tied to fraud. The ordinance gives operators 45 days from its effective date to remove affected machines, and individuals or entities that violate the rule face cumulative fines. City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn said the measure is meant to remove physical infrastructure that supports fraudulent activity. The ban does not affect residents’ ability to hold, own, mine, or transfer digital assets through other means. The report also noted that the number of crypto ATMs in the United States has fallen from 38,708 to 27,945 after Bitcoin Depot ceased operations.

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Albuquerque

2026-09-11 10:20:08

Albuquerque bans crypto ATMs and gives operators 45 days to remove machines

The Albuquerque City Council in New Mexico has passed an ordinance banning cryptocurrency ATMs and virtual currency transactions carried out with over-the-counter assistance within city limits. Under the measure, the city will notify known operators and the retailers hosting the machines, which must be removed within 45 days. Councilor Stephanie Telles said 90% of crypto ATM transactions in the city are tied to scams, adding that high fees have limited legitimate use of the machines. Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn said the instant, anonymous and irreversible nature of such transactions can be exploited by scam networks, organized crime and human traffickers. The council said residents will still be allowed to hold, mine and transfer cryptocurrencies through online trading platforms and personal wallets. The report also noted that Indiana, Tennessee and Minnesota have already imposed statewide bans on similar devices. Bitcoin Depot, once the largest operator in North America, filed for bankruptcy in May, taking about 9,700 machines offline.

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Albuquerque

2026-09-11 10:21:35

Albuquerque passes ordinance banning crypto ATMs across the city, orders removal within 45 days

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.

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Australia

2026-09-08 05:23:09

Australia Cancels 45 Crypto Remittance Registrations in Past Year

Australia's financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, has canceled, suspended, or refused renewal of 45 cryptocurrency and remittance registrations over the past year, targeting services that are inactive, insolvent, or incapable of proper operation. Among them, GetCoins, a brand under BA Digital Ventures, had its virtual asset service provider registration revoked in June over suspected ties to organized crypto investment scams. AUSTRAC also launched an investigation into Western Union and suspended Cryptolink's crypto ATM network. The full list of 45 entities was not disclosed, but the public VASP register includes Cryptolink, Self Custody, Jam Xchange, and Coinsec Australia.

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CFTC

2026-08-27 06:46:44

CFTC warns of impersonation scams as crypto ATM fraud losses top $388 million

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said scammers are increasingly posing as government agencies, banks, investment firms, utility companies, or tech support staff to trick victims into moving money through crypto ATMs, gift cards, unfamiliar apps, or parcel delivery. The agency said these schemes exploit the irreversible nature of crypto transfers and the difficulty of tracing wallet ownership. Data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, showed reported losses tied to crypto ATM scams exceeded $388 million in 2025, up 58% from a year earlier, with actual losses potentially higher because not all cases are reported. The CFTC said legitimate government offices, financial institutions, and companies will not ask users to transfer assets through crypto ATMs, gift cards, or package delivery. It advised people to treat urgent claims about account or identity risks, secrecy requests, remote device access demands, and instructions to send funds to a specified wallet address or QR code as major warning signs. The regulator urged users to stop any transaction, verify information independently through official channels, and report suspected fraud to the CFTC or the FBI’s IC3.

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Policy Regula

2026-08-27 05:54:53

CFTC warns of crypto ATM fraud risks as FBI logs about 13,000 complaints in 2025

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission warned on Aug. 27 that cryptocurrency ATMs carry fraud risks, using a post on its official X account to caution users before they use the machines. The agency said cash inserted into a crypto ATM is converted into cryptocurrency right away, making the transaction immediate and irreversible once completed. It also noted that such machines can be used for anonymous transfers, which adds to the risk profile. The warning came as fraud cases tied to crypto ATMs have increased. According to data cited from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, complaints related to cryptocurrency ATMs reached about 13,000 in 2025. CFTC urged users to verify information before proceeding with any transaction. The item was reported by CoinPost and carried by Techub as a policy and regulation news brief.

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