Spain Requires Identity Checks for All Crypto ATM Transactions

Spain approved Royal Decree 813/2026 on Thursday, Oct. 8, requiring reliable identity verification for every crypto ATM transaction nationwide.

The decree tightens Spain’s anti-money-laundering requirements by removing exemptions that had allowed some lower-value transactions to proceed without full identity checks. The measure applies to all transactions conducted through crypto ATMs in the country.

Operators will have 18 months to deploy advanced electronic identification systems. The transition period gives businesses time to update the machines and their transaction procedures while moving all ATM activity under the same identity-verification requirement.

The Spanish measure comes as Tennessee imposes criminal penalties for crypto ATM violations and Minnesota requires operators to remove machines from public locations.

Spain’s 18-month transition period gives crypto ATM operators covered by the new rule time to complete the required technology upgrades.

The deadline marks the next concrete compliance step for operators covered by the decree.