Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility New bill cracks down on crypto ATM scams targeting Pennsylvania consumers

New bill cracks down on crypto ATM scams targeting Pennsylvania consumers

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    June 18, 2026 | 10:58 AM

HARRISBURG, June 18 – House Communications & Technology Committee Majority Chair Joe Ciresi and state Rep. Liz Hanbidge, both D-Montgomery, today introduced H.B. 2643 to regulate and institute consumer safeguards to cryptocurrency kiosks prevent fraud while allowing responsible use of digital assets.

“Scammers are weaponizing a recent financial innovation—cryptocurrency ATMs—and people’s lack of understanding of it to steal their hard-earned savings,” Ciresi said. “This bill would stop that by regulating their operation, instituting necessary safeguards and holding bad actors accountable.”

According to Ciresi and Hanbidge, the rapid growth of virtual currency kiosks—commonly known as cryptocurrency ATMs—have expanded access to digital asset transactions while exposing consumers to significant risks. Bad actors increasingly use these machines in scams to target seniors and other vulnerable individuals, who are often directed to deposit cash with little understanding of the transaction or any ability to recover their money. Even for regular users, these kiosks often involve excessive fees and limited consumer protections.

The legislation would establish a licensing and regulatory framework for cryptocurrency kiosk operators in Pennsylvania to strengthen transparency, accountability and consumer protection. Operators would be licensed by the Department of Banking and Securities and required to comply with common sense safeguards, including daily transaction limits, transaction fee caps, identity verification, scam warnings, live customer support and detailed receipts for every transaction.

“Cryptocurrency ATMs have very little regulation or oversight, making it difficult to safeguard people from scammers who use them to take advantage of vulnerable people,” Hanbidge said. “This bill that Chairman Ciresi and I are introducing, looks to change this, and protect Pennsylvanians.”

The bill also would create meaningful recourse for defrauded consumers by requiring refunds for victims who report incidents to law enforcement within 60 days and providing new users a 72-hour window to cancel transactions.