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In short
Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) urged the General Services Administration to install cryptocurrency ATMs in federal buildings.
He described this step as aligning with Trump's ambitions regarding blockchain technology leadership in the United States.
However, scams associated with cryptocurrency ATMs are on the rise in the United States, where seniors are more at risk.
As Trump continues to promote cryptocurrency and memes, a lawmaker in Texas has joined the campaign with a plan aimed at making digital currency more accessible to ordinary Americans by installing cryptocurrency ATMs in federal buildings.
Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX), who represents Texas's 5th congressional district, wrote to Acting Administrator of the General Services Administration Stephen Ayers on Thursday, urging the agency to adopt cryptocurrency infrastructure by adding the machines.
The General Services Administration manages government buildings, some of which contain regular bank ATMs.
In his message, Gooden described cryptocurrencies as "an integral part of the global financial system" and proposed using ATMs in federal buildings to support the financial needs of "a diverse and growing consumer base."
"By providing access to cryptocurrency ATMs in federal buildings, we have a unique opportunity to ensure that our public spaces reflect this rapidly evolving trend," he wrote.
He added that the proposal aligns with President Donald Trump's vision of U.S. dominance in blockchain technology and innovation in cryptocurrency.
The presence of more cryptocurrency ATMs could be good news for organized crime groups targeting Americans through scams.
In 2024, nearly 11,000 complaints related to cryptocurrency ATMs and kiosks were filed, a 99% increase from 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Total losses reached $246.7 million, with seniors being the most affected, suffering losses exceeding $107 million.
The IC3 report stated that scams associated with cryptocurrency ATMs include extortion, technical support scams, government impersonation schemes, and fake investment offers.
Scammers often ask their targets to use them to transfer money due to the difficulty of recovering funds, the anonymity they provide, and the fact that it doesn't require any contact with anyone who might question why the target is transferring large amounts of money.
Other jurisdictions have already begun to crack down. The UK has completely banned cryptocurrency ATMs, while France, Australia, and Germany have imposed restrictions on unregistered operators.
In the United States, some cities and states impose restrictions or bans on the use of these machines. One city in Minnesota has banned the use of these machines, while Nebraska recently set a maximum fee of 18% and daily transaction limits.
Meanwhile, a group of Democratic senators is seeking to pass a federal law to prevent fraud at cryptocurrency ATMs.
The bill includes mandatory fraud warnings, anti-fraud policies registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), transaction limits for new users, and provisions for refunds if fraud is reported within a specified timeframe.
However, Gooden still believes that his initiative can yield many benefits.
While he expressed verbal interest in some risks, noting that efforts "must require close cooperation with regulators, industry experts, and technology providers to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering and other relevant standards," he called for ATMs to provide "enhanced access and opportunities for public education."
