Crypto ATM Numbers Plummet as Global Regulatory Crackdown Gains Momentum
The number of cryptocurrency ATMs worldwide has dropped significantly over the past two years, from 40,072 units in December 2022 to 27,524 units on August 13, 2026, a decline of 31.3%. In the US, the decline is even more severe, with the number of installed machines decreasing from a high point of 35,037 units in August 2022 to 19,754 units on August 12, 2026, a drop of 43.6%.
Arizona has been at the forefront of this trend, with Attorney General Kris Mayes stating that her office has arranged for full refunds of 35 victims who had registered their complaints within 30 days. The state's refund law, enacted in September 2025, compels operators to reimburse affected new customers in case they reported fraudulent transactions to law enforcement or the Attorney General within 30 days.
The crackdown on cryptocurrency ATMs is not limited to Arizona, with regulatory bodies in other countries also taking action. In Australia, the financial regulator AUSTRAC temporarily suspended the operations of Cryptolink and shut down 96 machines. The UK's Financial Conduct Authority has also stopped operations at 26 illegal crypto machines.