Crypto ATM operators in Spokane City in Washington have been commissioned to remove their kiosks within 60 days of a ban in the entire city.
The decision was determined After a unanimous vote during the legislative session of the Spokane City Council on 17 June, making it the first city in Washington that formally prohibits virtual currency rods in response to an increase in scams that aimed.
The Regulation, entitled “Virtual Currency Kiosk ban for a safer Spokane”, was introduced by councilor Paul Dillon in collaboration with councilor Betsy Wilkerson.
Civil servants said the measure was introduced to curb fraudulent losses associated with crypto kiosks, which are often used in scams that focus on vulnerable residents in low income and store locations.
“This regulation will protect vulnerable residents of Spokane against scams with virtual currency roofs, and I am proud that we are the first city in the state to move this legislation ahead,” said councilor Dillion.
According to the new rules, operators have 60 days to remove existing kiosks or to experience civil violations, including potential withdrawal of their business licenses. The Spokane Police Department will follow compliance and report on the impact of the ban on scam-related crime figures.
From June 18, Spokane had more than 40 cryptocurrency kiosks, according to facts From Crypto ATM Tracker Coin ATM radar.
Detective Tim Schwering of the Spokane Police Department, who has worked closely with victims of such fraud and supports the measure, said that funds sent via these kiosks usually “end in places such as China, Noord -Korea, Russia.”
Scammers were often found for law enforcement or tax officials to put victims under pressure in converting cash into cryptocurrency, and claim that it would help “protect their money” or prevent arrest. By the time the transaction is completed, “it is already too late,” Schwering added.
The prohibition of Spokane on Crypto money machines follows a broader trend in the US, where concern about fraud and consumer exploitation have encouraged both local and national governments to sharpen the supervision of virtual currency kiosks.
According to an FBI report, nearly 11,000 complaints with regard to Crypto -AatM scams were submitted in the United States in 2024, with reported losses of more than $ 246 million. Most victims turned out to be older than 60 years.
In response, various states have introduced their own measures. Noord -Dakota -legislers, for example, revise the Bill 1447 house, which would impose a daily transaction cap of $ 2,000, require fraud alerts in machines and mandate that Operators use blockchain analyzes to detect suspicious activities. The bill also includes licenses and quarterly reporting requirements.
In the meantime, Nebraska introduced the Controllable Electronic Record Fraud Prevention Act in March, which requires that crypto -operators have a permit, caps costs at 18%and maintains the daily transaction limits of $ 2,000 for new users. It is also obliged to complete full reimbursements for new customers who are cheated if a report is submitted within 90 days after the incident.
