Albuquerque Moves to Remove Bitcoin ATMs in 45 Days
Albuquerque Bans Bitcoin ATMs, Giving Operators 45 Days to Remove Them
Albuquerque has approved a new ordinance that bans cryptocurrency ATMs within city limits, joining a growing list of U.S. cities moving to restrict the machines amid rising fraud complaints.
KOAT Action 7 News reported that the measure passed on a 6–3 vote. Under the ordinance, installing and using “virtual currency ATMs” in Albuquerque will be prohibited, and operators will have 45 days to remove existing machines.
City councilors pointed to stories from residents who said they were nearly scammed or lost money after being directed to use crypto kiosks. In the KOAT segment, one resident described fearing they would “lose every penny” after believing instructions given by scammers.
City officials also cited statewide data to justify the ban. According to KOAT’s reporting, there were an estimated 109 crypto ATM scams across New Mexico in 2025, resulting in an estimated $2.2 million in losses.
One councilor argued that the problem is concentrated in the kiosks themselves, saying 90% of crypto kiosk transactions in the city are tied to fraud and calling the machines a conduit for crime.
The action highlights how local governments are approaching consumer protection in the crypto ecosystem. While cryptocurrencies can be purchased through multiple channels, crypto ATMs and kiosks have drawn attention from regulators and law enforcement because scams often rely on urgency and in-person cash deposits, making transactions harder to reverse once funds are sent.
