New regulations in Tennessee and Georgia officially take effect, sparking a nationwide wave of crypto ATM bans

According to Cointelegraph, multiple states across the U.S. are gradually moving to ban crypto ATMs, reflecting that regulators nationwide are tightening restrictions on these devices.

Specifically, new rules in Tennessee and Georgia banning crypto-asset ATMs officially went into effect on July 1. The rules prohibit the use and installation of crypto ATMs and self-service terminals. Previously, the state had 185 crypto ATMs in operation;

Before that, Indiana implemented a similar ban in March. Minnesota is also scheduled to begin enforcing its ATM ban on August 1. In addition, lawmakers in Delaware and New Jersey have proposed measures to completely ban crypto ATMs.

The immediate cause of this regulatory tightening is the frequent occurrence of scams in many places. Elderly residents are lured into transferring money to scammers via crypto ATMs and are among the main victims. In the face of this serious situation, states have shown a converging approach to regulating crypto ATMs.

As a result of these events, regulatory pressure has had a tangible impact on the industry. Bitcoin ATM operator Bitcoin Depot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May. This bankruptcy case may also signal bigger challenges for the entire crypto ATM industry.

However, some believe the main driver of this phenomenon is that states are increasingly imposing pressure to cut fees and expanding consumer-protection standards that make operators responsible for scam activities. As these changes erode the business model that previously depended on high transaction spreads and limited regulatory scrutiny, it is now falling apart.

It’s also worth noting that regulatory tightening is not limited to the U.S. At the federal level in Canada, a draft nationwide ban on crypto ATMs has also been proposed. Officials also said that these devices are a key channel for scammers to profit and for laundering illicit funds.

In summary, when the balance between “convenience” and “risk” is broken, unless crypto ATM operators can explore a more transparent, compliant, and efficient operating model, their space to survive in the U.S. market is likely to become increasingly narrow.

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