Blab Crypto
Congress Moves to Shield Seniors from Crypto ATM Scams with New Legislation
More than 30,000 cryptocurrency ATMs are now operating across the United States, with kiosks found in gas stations, convenience stores and shopping centers. The convenience of cash‑to‑crypto transactions has made the machines an attractive tool for fraudsters, according to a report that highlighted a surge in scams targeting vulnerable consumers, especially seniors.
U.S. Representative María Elvira Salazar (R‑FL) has said that seniors in South Florida have been hit hard by these scams. "In south Florida, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact financial scams can have on seniors and their families. America’s seniors spent a lifetime working, saving, and planning for retirement," Salazar said. "They should not have to worry about criminals using new technologies to steal what they worked so hard to build."
On June 11, Salazar cosponsored the bipartisan Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act, H.R. 9268, with Rep. Sean Casten (D‑IL). The bill aims to strengthen consumer protections, improve fraud detection, and hold operators accountable. According to the bill summary, the legislation would require crypto ATM operators to implement written anti‑money laundering (AML) programs, conduct customer due diligence, report suspicious activity, and keep updated records of kiosk locations.
The Act would also impose transaction limits to curb large‑scale theft. New customers would be limited to $2,000 in daily transactions and $10,000 in total deposits during their first 14 days, while existing customers would face a $7,500 daily limit. The bill also establishes a federal standard for transaction limits while allowing states to adopt additional consumer protections, according to the summary. Rep. Casten said, "Crypto ATMs offer criminals a quick and easy way to prey on seniors and steal their hard‑earned money. Congress can address these abuses by requiring enhanced consumer protections, mandating clear scam warnings and robust disclosures, and applying the same anti‑money laundering rules and fraud prevention measures that other crypto firms, banks, and credit unions must comply with."
The push comes amid a wave of reported losses. FBI data released in 2025 showed Americans lost more than $388 million to scams using crypto ATMs, while the FTC reported that consumer losses had increased nearly tenfold to over $110 million in 2023. The FBI also highlighted that seniors were among the most frequently targeted victims. The rise in fraud has prompted calls for stricter oversight, and the Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act is the first federal effort to impose uniform AML and consumer‑protection requirements on the sector.
If passed, the bill would give law enforcement tools to investigate and prosecute operators who fail to comply, and would require operators to post clear warnings about the risks of using crypto ATMs. The legislation would also preserve state authority to enact additional safeguards. The bill’s sponsors say the measure is designed to protect seniors and other vulnerable consumers without stifling legitimate use of cryptocurrency kiosks. The Act is currently pending in the House, and its progress will be monitored by consumer‑protection advocates and industry groups.
U.S. Representative María Elvira Salazar (R‑FL) has said that seniors in South Florida have been hit hard by these scams. "In south Florida, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact financial scams can have on seniors and their families. America’s seniors spent a lifetime working, saving, and planning for retirement," Salazar said. "They should not have to worry about criminals using new technologies to steal what they worked so hard to build."
On June 11, Salazar cosponsored the bipartisan Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act, H.R. 9268, with Rep. Sean Casten (D‑IL). The bill aims to strengthen consumer protections, improve fraud detection, and hold operators accountable. According to the bill summary, the legislation would require crypto ATM operators to implement written anti‑money laundering (AML) programs, conduct customer due diligence, report suspicious activity, and keep updated records of kiosk locations.
The Act would also impose transaction limits to curb large‑scale theft. New customers would be limited to $2,000 in daily transactions and $10,000 in total deposits during their first 14 days, while existing customers would face a $7,500 daily limit. The bill also establishes a federal standard for transaction limits while allowing states to adopt additional consumer protections, according to the summary. Rep. Casten said, "Crypto ATMs offer criminals a quick and easy way to prey on seniors and steal their hard‑earned money. Congress can address these abuses by requiring enhanced consumer protections, mandating clear scam warnings and robust disclosures, and applying the same anti‑money laundering rules and fraud prevention measures that other crypto firms, banks, and credit unions must comply with."
The push comes amid a wave of reported losses. FBI data released in 2025 showed Americans lost more than $388 million to scams using crypto ATMs, while the FTC reported that consumer losses had increased nearly tenfold to over $110 million in 2023. The FBI also highlighted that seniors were among the most frequently targeted victims. The rise in fraud has prompted calls for stricter oversight, and the Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act is the first federal effort to impose uniform AML and consumer‑protection requirements on the sector.
If passed, the bill would give law enforcement tools to investigate and prosecute operators who fail to comply, and would require operators to post clear warnings about the risks of using crypto ATMs. The legislation would also preserve state authority to enact additional safeguards. The bill’s sponsors say the measure is designed to protect seniors and other vulnerable consumers without stifling legitimate use of cryptocurrency kiosks. The Act is currently pending in the House, and its progress will be monitored by consumer‑protection advocates and industry groups.
