Massachusetts Senate Votes to Ban Cryptocurrency Kiosks Statewide
Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has applauded the Massachusetts State Senate for its move to ban cryptocurrency kiosks across the state. In a statement, Sheriff Koutoujian expressed pride in collaborating with various stakeholders, including AARP Massachusetts and public safety partners, to push for this ban. He noted that scammers have been taking advantage of unregulated cryptocurrency ATMs to defraud residents.
The language banning kiosks was included as an amendment in the Senate's version of the economic development bill (S3178). The bill is now expected to head to a conference committee for finalization. This move comes after repeated public warnings from Massachusetts public safety agencies about the risks associated with cryptocurrency ATMs.
The Middlesex Sheriff's Office has been issuing warnings and conducting presentations to educate the community on the dangers of these machines. The closure of the Sumner Tunnel, which is unrelated to this issue, was also announced by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Repairs and maintenance will be conducted overnight, and a signed detour will be in place during the closure.