Pennsylvania Lawmakers Aim to Protect Consumers from Cryptocurrency Kiosk Scams

Proposed legislation would require cryptocurrency ATMs to display anti-fraud warnings and enhance safeguards against financial exploitation.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:55am

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A dimly lit urban scene with a solitary cryptocurrency kiosk bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet unease and the need for greater consumer protections.The rise of cryptocurrency kiosks has exposed vulnerable consumers to an ever-growing wave of scams, prompting lawmakers to consider new regulations to protect the public.Mountain View Today

Millions of Americans fell victim to cryptocurrency and AI scams in 2025, losing nearly $21 billion. In Pennsylvania alone, over 31,000 people lost $538 million. Lawmakers are now considering a bill that would regulate cryptocurrency kiosks, which have become a common entry point for scammers to target vulnerable consumers, particularly the elderly.

Why it matters

Cryptocurrency scams have become an ever-growing industry that takes advantage of society's most vulnerable. Regulating these ATM-like cryptocurrency kiosks could help protect Pennsylvanians from falling prey to such fraudulent activities.

The details

Senate Bill 1015 would require virtual currency kiosks to display anti-fraud warnings, enhance safeguards against financial exploitation, establish 24/7 customer service support, and obtain a money transmitter license. Two companies with machines in Pennsylvania endorsed the bill, detailing how their systems flag such abuse. However, the state's Office of Attorney General believes the kiosks 'serve no other purpose than for scam' and should be banned entirely, as Indiana recently did.

  • In 2025, over 31,000 Pennsylvanians lost $538 million to cryptocurrency and AI scams.
  • In March 2026, Indiana became the first state to ban cryptocurrency kiosks entirely.

The players

Sen. Pennycuick

The Republican state senator from Montgomery County who is the sponsor of Senate Bill 1015, which aims to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks.

Chris Edwards

The assistant general counsel of Bitcoin Depot, a company that operates 462 cryptocurrency kiosks in Pennsylvania and endorsed the proposed legislation.

Paul Edger

A senior deputy state attorney general who testified that the Office of Attorney General has received 90 complaints about cryptocurrency fraud totaling $12.3 million in losses, with 85% of victims being 60 or older.

Teresa Osborne

The state advocacy director of AARP's Pennsylvania chapter, who stated that fraud estimates are likely an undercount as many victims feel ashamed and do not report their losses.

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What they’re saying

“As with all new technologies, we have a responsibility to ensure that these advances are not exploited by the bad actors that seem to pop up when new technology emerges. We don't want to stifle innovation. We want to make sure that our policies keep pace with innovation and encourage progress, while protecting the consumers' safety, privacy and confidence.”

— Sen. Pennycuick, State Senator

“We have a physical warning to start on every single machine. We ask folks, 'Are you sending this Bitcoin that you're about to purchase to a (digital) wallet that you own and control?' … the only correct answer to that is 'yes.' If you answer 'no,' the transaction is cancelled and taken back to the start.”

— Chris Edwards, Assistant General Counsel, Bitcoin Depot

“Our office believes that kiosk operators know scams are occurring at dangerously high numbers and provide only minimal warnings for consumers. As my office sees it, these kiosks serve no other purpose than for scam. I don't see a legitimate purpose for these kiosks when an individual, in my opinion, can do (these transactions) online, through a computer, through their bank or through a legitimate service.”

— Paul Edger, Senior Deputy State Attorney General

What’s next

The Pennsylvania Senate is expected to vote on Senate Bill 1015 in the coming weeks, which could establish new regulations for cryptocurrency kiosks in the state.

The takeaway

This legislation highlights the growing concerns around cryptocurrency-related fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable populations like the elderly. While lawmakers aim to balance innovation and consumer protection, the debate over the legitimacy of cryptocurrency kiosks continues, with some calling for an outright ban on these machines.