AARP Hearing Center
State First in Northeast U.S. to Ban Crypto ATMs
Getty Images
After its residents experienced growing losses from cryptocurrency kiosk fraud, Vermont became the first state in New England—and the fourth in the United States—to ban the machines.
Crypto kiosks, also known as crypto ATMs, look like regular ATMs and are commonly found in supermarkets, gas stations and other businesses. The machines, which convert cash into a virtual currency such as Bitcoin that is extremely hard to track, are an increasingly popular tool for criminals committing fraud.
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
In 2025, crypto kiosks accounted for more than $389 million in stolen funds across the United States, with those 60 and older making up most of those victims, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. The true cost is likely higher, officials say, because many scams are never reported.
“As time has gone on, the sheer amount of scam and fraud perpetrated through these machines has only grown,” says Colin Hilliard, associate state director for advocacy and outreach at AARP Vermont.
AARP Vermont advocated for the law, which took effect July 1. This is the third year in a row state lawmakers addressed issues with crypto kiosks. Lawmakers put a moratorium on new machines in 2024, and they enacted refund protections for scam victims in 2025.
Testifying before the state’s House Commerce Committee in May, a Waterbury business owner told lawmakers that a scammer had impersonated another of the business’s owners and convinced a new employee to withdraw thousands of dollars from the business’s safe and deposit it into a fraudulent crypto ATM account.
“We’re very fortunate that our elected officials really want to protect Vermonters from these bad actors,” Hilliard says.
More AARP Fraud Resources
- Stories about scams and anti-fraud resources
- Fraud Watch Network Helpline. 877 908-3360
More From AARP