Bitcoin ATM Scams Surge in 2025, Triggering Regulatory Crackdown in the U.S.

Americans reportedly lost more than $333 million in 2025 to scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks, commonly known as Bitcoin ATMs, highlighting a rapidly escalating fraud trend that regulators now consider a systemic financial risk. According to FBI data, more than 12,000 complaints tied to crypto kiosks were recorded between January and November 2025 alone, underscoring the growing scale of Bitcoin ATM scams across the United States.

Data from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) further reinforces the severity of the issue, showing that reports of Bitcoin ATM-related fraud nearly doubled compared to the previous year. With roughly 31,000 crypto kiosks nationwide—many placed in gas stations, convenience stores, and other high-traffic locations—authorities are increasingly concerned that their accessibility is being exploited by scammers rather than serving legitimate consumer demand.

Bitcoin ATMs are particularly attractive to fraudsters because they allow a seamless conversion of cash into cryptocurrency, which is nearly impossible to recover once transferred. In many cases, scammers contact victims by phone, impersonating government agencies, tech support services, or financial institutions. Victims are then instructed to visit a nearby crypto kiosk, deposit cash, and send the resulting Bitcoin to a wallet controlled by the scammer. Once completed, the transaction bypasses traditional banking safeguards such as chargebacks or fraud reversals.

The financial impact of these scams disproportionately affects older Americans. FBI reports indicate that individuals over the age of 60 account for a significant share of the losses, often falling victim to urgent and emotionally manipulative scam scripts. Recognizing this trend, agencies like the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) have intensified public awareness efforts, recently releasing a “Protect Yourself” framework emphasizing that no legitimate organization will ever request cash deposits via a crypto ATM.

However, policymakers are increasingly concluding that education alone is insufficient. Inspired by measures in countries such as Australia, U.S. regulators are now exploring stricter controls, including transaction limits and tighter oversight of Bitcoin ATM operators. Industry analysts believe these regulatory guardrails could play a crucial role in curbing the rapid rise of cryptocurrency kiosk fraud and protecting vulnerable consumers.