Albuquerque Bans Bitcoin ATMs, Giving Operators 45 Days to Remove Them

Municipal and state regulatory pressure against cryptocurrency kiosks is mounting across the United States. The Albuquerque City Council passed an ordinance banning crypto ATMs and cashier-facilitated virtual currency transactions within city limits, granting operators and hosting retailers a 45-day window to remove their machines. City officials cited alarming statistics, stating that up to 90% of local kiosk transactions were linked to scams and fraudulent activity targeting vulnerable populations. This municipal ban follows statewide prohibitions enacted in Indiana, Tennessee, and Minnesota, with similar measures being evaluated in Delaware, New Jersey, and Texas. The escalating legal crackdowns and operational burdens have strained the physical kiosk sector, highlighted by major operator Bitcoin Depot filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after shutting down over 9,000 kiosks. Concurrently, federal lawmakers are preparing for critical digital asset legislation, with Senate Republicans releasing a 630-page revised draft of the Clarity Act. The proposed legislation aims to establish comprehensive oversight boundaries between the SEC and the CFTC, targeting decentralized-in-name-only protocols ahead of key procedural votes.