ChainCatcher message, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwab filed a lawsuit against the Bitcoin ATM operator Athena Bitcoin, Inc. on September 8, 2025, accusing the company of illegally profiting from financial scams targeting the elderly and vulnerable groups.

The investigation revealed that 93% of the deposits in Bitcoin ATMs operated by Athena in the district were directly related to scams, with a median age of victims being 71 years old. The company is accused of charging hidden transaction fees of up to 26% (far exceeding the industry standard of 0.24%-3%) and enforcing a strict 'no refund' policy on scam victims. The Attorney General's Office demands that Athena comply with the law, provide compensation to victims, and accept penalties.