Minnesota Bans Virtual Currency Kiosks to Combat Scams

A Minnesota law prohibiting virtual currency kiosks in the US state took effect on Saturday following the signing of a bill by Governor Tim Walz in May.

According to the law, SF 3868, which Walz signed on May 5, all crypto ATM operators in Minnesota are prohibited from “installing, operating, maintaining, or making available” virtual currency kiosks. Companies with machines already installed must deactivate them by Saturday, but have until Dec. 31 to physically remove them from locations “visible or accessible to the public.”

Minnesota’s commerce department reported residents had lost about $1 million from scams tied to crypto ATMs from 2023 to 2025, with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reporting the state had more than $151 million in losses tied to digital assets or crypto wallets in 2025. Officials said that the schemes “disproportionately targets seniors” and often involved situations where victims were pressured to quickly send money based on fake emergencies.

The ban on kiosks allowing users to purchase Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies is just one of many measures US states are considering in response to fraudulent activity. Tennessee began enforcing a total ban on the machines on July 1, a Georgia law requiring transaction limits and other restrictions went into effect the same day and Delaware and New Jersey lawmakers have advanced bills proposing similar measures.

Data from CoinATMRadar showed that there were 201 crypto ATMs and kiosks operating in Minnesota before the statewide ban took effect on Aug. 1.