Regulating cryptocurrency ATMs is no longer enough to protect residents from scams, according to AARP Massachusetts; the machines need to be banned outright, the organization said in a statement Tuesday.AARP was behind a bill that would have added basic protections like clear scam warnings and transaction limits for the machines, but changed its call to a total ban. “A ban on crypto ATMs is now the most effective way to stop the ongoing damage,” said Jen Benson, state director of AARP Massachusetts. “Despite our efforts to push for straightforward consumer protections, these machines continue to operate without safeguards, causing people to lose their life savings. It’s clear that more decisive action is needed.”The organization cited rising scams tied to the machines that target the older adult population and the need for stronger protections. Scammers will trick victims into funneling cash into the ATMs. Once it’s converted to cryptocurrency, it can be impossible to get back, as 5 Investigates has reported. Some lawmakers signaled support in AARP’s press release.”A statewide ban on these ATMs ensures no one else will be victimized and lose their hard-earned wages or life savings,” said Rep. Tom Stanley, of Waltham. Bitcoin ATMs were recently banned in the city of Waltham. “We need to make sure bad actors can’t leverage these devices to rob people of their savings. I am proud to stand with our seniors, consumers, and colleagues in the legislature to stop this fraud once and for all in the Commonwealth,” said Sen. John Cronin, of Fitchburg.The bill to regulate the machines has lingered on Beacon Hill for more than a year. Now it will have to be amended to reflect a ban. At least three Massachusetts cities have banned the machines on their own, including Waltham, Gloucester and Haverhill.Attorney General Andrea Campbell filed a lawsuit against one of the biggest crypto ATM operators, Bitcoin Depot in hopes of getting a settlement for victims. Progress on that lawsuit remains ongoing.Campbell’s office found that more than 80% of customers who had spent $10,000 or more at these Bitcoin Depot kiosks between August 2023 and January 2025 had utilized them in connection with scam transactions.
Regulating cryptocurrency ATMs is no longer enough to protect residents from scams, according to AARP Massachusetts; the machines need to be banned outright, the organization said in a statement Tuesday.
AARP was behind a bill that would have added basic protections like clear scam warnings and transaction limits for the machines, but changed its call to a total ban.
“A ban on crypto ATMs is now the most effective way to stop the ongoing damage,” said Jen Benson, state director of AARP Massachusetts. “Despite our efforts to push for straightforward consumer protections, these machines continue to operate without safeguards, causing people to lose their life savings. It’s clear that more decisive action is needed.”
The organization cited rising scams tied to the machines that target the older adult population and the need for stronger protections.
Scammers will trick victims into funneling cash into the ATMs. Once it’s converted to cryptocurrency, it can be impossible to get back, as 5 Investigates has reported.
Some lawmakers signaled support in AARP’s press release.
“A statewide ban on these ATMs ensures no one else will be victimized and lose their hard-earned wages or life savings,” said Rep. Tom Stanley, of Waltham. Bitcoin ATMs were recently banned in the city of Waltham.
“We need to make sure bad actors can’t leverage these devices to rob people of their savings. I am proud to stand with our seniors, consumers, and colleagues in the legislature to stop this fraud once and for all in the Commonwealth,” said Sen. John Cronin, of Fitchburg.
The bill to regulate the machines has lingered on Beacon Hill for more than a year. Now it will have to be amended to reflect a ban.
At least three Massachusetts cities have banned the machines on their own, including Waltham, Gloucester and Haverhill.
Attorney General Andrea Campbell filed a lawsuit against one of the biggest crypto ATM operators, Bitcoin Depot in hopes of getting a settlement for victims. Progress on that lawsuit remains ongoing.
Campbell’s office found that more than 80% of customers who had spent $10,000 or more at these Bitcoin Depot kiosks between August 2023 and January 2025 had utilized them in connection with scam transactions.