Minnesota Bans Crypto Kiosks Amid Nearly $1 Million in Resident Losses
Minnesota has become the third US state to ban crypto kiosks after residents lost nearly $1 million to scams over two years. Governor Tim Walz signed a statewide ban into law on May 5, 2026, following a wave of scams that drained funds from residents.
The ban requires operators to stop operating by August 1, 2026, and physically remove the machines by December 31, 2026. Between 2023 and 2025, over 100 complaints were filed with the Minnesota Department of Commerce tied to crypto kiosk scams, resulting in losses exceeding $540,000 in 2025 alone.
The scams followed recognizable playbooks: fake emergency calls, impersonation of government officials, and romance schemes. Scammers convinced victims that cash must be converted to crypto immediately, taking advantage of the ease of use provided by the kiosks.