Crypto kiosks face regulatory challenges
Retail
Are bitcoin ATMs to blame for these scams? Should they be banned? The regulatory landscape is still uncertain but there is a path forward.
Photo: Credit Line irissca – stock.adobe.com
February 10, 2026 by Richard Slawsky
The names may be different, but the stories are generally the same. Someone, often an elderly person, gets a phone call from a gruff-sounding man claiming to be from the FBI, the IRS or their bank’s fraud department. The recipient of the call, they say, has an outstanding warrant or tax bill, or there has been fraud suspected with their checking or savings account.
The only way to resolve the issue and avoid arrest, they say, is to withdraw cash from their bank account, go to a nearby convenience store, and deposit it…
