Authorities have mandated the removal of cryptocurrency ATMs in Spokane, Washington, following a surge in fraud reports. On June 17, 2025, the Spokane City Council unanimously voted to ban these financial kiosks, providing operators 60 days to dismantle them.

Spokane just banned crypto ATMs after scam reports exploded. In a unanimous vote, operators get 60 days to tear down kiosks or face hefty fines. Learn how scammers preyed on vulnerable residents. Read the full story: link.

Council members Paul Dillon and Betsy Wilkerson introduced “Virtual Currency Kiosk Prohibition for a Safer Spokane” to address the alarming rise in scams linked to these kiosks. “This ordinance will protect vulnerable Spokane residents from scams involving virtual currency kiosks, and I am proud we are the first city in the state to move this legislation forward,” remarked Dillon.

The Spokane Police Department will monitor the compliance with this ban and analyze its impact on crime rates associated with scams. Failure to comply within the 60-day timeframe may lead to non-criminal penalties, including the revocation of business licenses.

According to data from Coin ATM Radar, over 40 crypto kiosks are currently operational in Spokane.

In This Article

1. Scammers Impersonated Law Enforcement Officers To Coerce Victims
2. States Crack Down on ATM Crypto Crimes With New Regulations

Interestingly, Spokane’s decision aligns with a growing national trend where local and state authorities are tightening their regulations on crypto kiosks amidst fraud concerns. Spokane Police Detective Tim Schwering, who has interacted with numerous victims of fraud linked to these kiosks, supports the new ordinance.

He stated that funds processed through such kiosks often end up in countries like China, Russia, or North Korea. The scammers frequently impersonate officials to pressure victims into converting their cash into cryptocurrencies under the guise of protecting their finances.

FBI statistics reveal over 11,000 cases of crypto ATM fraud were reported in 2024, with losses exceeding $246 million, primarily affecting individuals over 60 years of age.

Several states are also enacting regulations to combat these issues. For example, North Dakota’s proposed House Bill 1447 seeks to cap daily transactions at $2000 and mandates fraud alerts on ATMs. Meanwhile, Nebraska has already enacted laws requiring licensing for ATM operators and imposing transaction limits and fee caps.

Key Takeaways

• Authorities in Spokane City, Washington, have implemented a blanket ban on crypto kiosks.
• Operators must remove all crypto kiosks from the city within 60 days.
• Other US states are instituting regulations to tackle crypto kiosk fraud.