Spokane Becomes First Washington City to Ban Crypto ATMs Amid Rising Scams

Spokane City Council unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting VIRTUAL currency kiosks, citing escalating fraud targeting vulnerable residents. The 'Virtual Currency Kiosk Prohibition for a Safer Spokane' measure gives operators 60 days to remove over 40 existing machines tracked by Coin ATM Radar.

Council Member Paul Dillon spearheaded the initiative, emphasizing protection for low-income communities frequently exploited through crypto kiosk scams. Non-compliance risks business license revocation, with Spokane PD monitoring enforcement effectiveness.

The MOVE reflects growing regulatory scrutiny of physical crypto infrastructure as local governments balance innovation with consumer protection. No specific cryptocurrencies were implicated in the ban, which focuses exclusively on kiosk-mediated transactions.