Ordinance banning cryptocurrency ATMs goes into effect in Albuquerque

An ordinance banning cryptocurrency ATMs has gone into effect in Albuquerque, according to KRQE. The measure prohibits the machines, which allow users to buy or sell digital assets such as Bitcoin using cash or other payment methods, within the city.

Cryptocurrency ATMs have drawn increased attention from policymakers and consumer-protection officials because they can be used in scams in which victims are directed to convert cash into crypto and send it to an unfamiliar wallet. Unlike traditional bank ATMs, crypto kiosks generally connect users to digital-asset transactions rather than bank accounts.

The Albuquerque ordinance places the city among jurisdictions taking a restrictive approach to crypto ATM access. The policy reflects a broader debate over how local and state governments should address consumer risks tied to cryptocurrency services while the digital-asset industry continues to operate across varying regulatory frameworks.