🚫 𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗖𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗦.
➡️ Spokane becomes the first city in Washington to ban all crypto ATMs
🧨 Why This Ban Happened
The Spokane City Council just passed a new rule banning all Bitcoin and crypto ATMs (also called virtual currency kiosks) in the city — after a surge in crypto scams using these machines.
✅ Over 50 kiosks in stores like Safeway and Walgreens must now be removed within 60 days
❌ If not removed, operators risk fines and losing their business licenses
💬 What Officials Are Saying
“These machines have become a tool for scammers to steal from people,” said Councilmember Paul Dillon.
“Crypto’s lack of tracking makes it easy for criminals to abuse.”
📉 The Scam Problem in Numbers
The FBI says $5.6 billion in crypto scams were tied to these kiosks (in just 2023)
Total crypto-related fraud hit $6.5 billion across the U.S.
Seniors were hit hardest, losing $2.8 billion, despite being only 17% of the population
Washington State alone lost $368 million, ranking it 10th in the nation
🚨 Even Suicides Linked to ATM Scams
Detective Tim Schwering of the Spokane Police says:
“We deal with daily reports of people losing thousands...
Some victims even took their own lives after losing everything.”
🔻 Scammers often:
Pretend to be from the IRS or police
Tell victims to deposit money into a crypto ATM
Threaten jail time or fake emergencies to trick people
📌 Background: The Bigger Picture
Spokane had asked the state for better crypto ATM rules back in 2024, but nothing passed
Now the city is taking action alone
A similar federal bill — the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act — is stuck in committee
🧠 Takeaway for Crypto Users
This ban is a wake-up call for the crypto world.
Crypto ATMs may seem convenient, but they’ve become a hotbed for scams — especially targeting seniors and non-tech users.
As regulation grows, the industry will need better protections.
