Albuquerque Bans Crypto ATMs And Cashier Crypto Sales In September 9 Vote

The Albuquerque City Council voted September 9 to pass an ordinance banning cryptocurrency ATMs and cashier-facilitated crypto transactions within city limits, a measure that requires existing kiosk operators to remove their machines under a compliance timeline. The ordinance, approved during the council's regular meeting, targets unhosted crypto kiosks that allow users to convert cash into digital assets without face-to-face verification, a channel regulators and local officials have linked to fraud and financial exploitation.

Councilmember Stephanie Telles and Councilmember Tammy Fiebelkorn were among the officials advancing the measure, according to KRQE, which first reported the passage. The new local law prohibits both the operation of cryptocurrency ATMs and transactions facilitated by cashiers who process crypto purchases on behalf of customers, closing a loophole that could otherwise allow kiosk operators to shift to manual over-the-counter conversions. Existing operators now face a removal deadline set by the ordinance, though the specific compliance window and any penalties for non-compliance have not been detailed in the council's public materials.

The ban places Albuquerque among a growing list of U.S. municipalities tightening oversight of crypto kiosks, which have become a favored tool in "pig butchering" scams and elder fraud schemes where victims are directed to deposit cash into machines controlled by fraudsters. Unlike bank transfers, crypto ATM transactions are often irreversible and can be completed anonymously, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace once funds are converted. The council's action follows similar restrictions in cities such as Seattle and San Francisco, which have cited consumer protection concerns in limiting kiosk density and transaction caps.

For crypto ATM operators in Albuquerque, the ordinance creates an immediate compliance obligation: machines must be removed by the established deadline or risk enforcement action. For residents, the ban removes a cash-to-crypto on-ramp that had operated without the verification standards applied to traditional financial institutions. The council has not yet published the full ordinance text, including the exact removal date and penalty structure, leaving operators and industry observers awaiting the final filing for precise compliance details.

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