Albuquerque Bans Crypto ATMs Amidst Rising Fraud Concerns
Albuquerque has become one of the first major US cities to ban cryptocurrency ATMs outright. On September 10, the city council passed an ordinance prohibiting virtual currency kiosks and cashier-assisted crypto transactions across the entire city, giving existing operators 45 days to pull their machines after notification.
The driving force behind this move is a claim from District 1 Councilor Stephanie W. Telles that 90% of crypto ATM transactions in Albuquerque are tied to fraud. The ordinance was co-sponsored by Councilor Telles and District 7 Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn, with the case centered around consumer protection.
New Mexico reported $86.6 million in crypto-related fraud losses for 2025, with $55.8 million involving elderly victims. This is part of a larger national trend, with FBI data showing $390 million in crypto kiosk fraud losses across the US in 2025, representing a 58% increase from 2024.
The Albuquerque ban does not touch personal crypto ownership, allowing residents to still buy, sell, hold, mine, and transfer digital currencies through online exchanges and personal wallets. The ordinance targets physical kiosks specifically, not the underlying technology or asset class.