Georgia Cracks Down on Bitcoin ATM Scams

New rules aim to protect consumers from fraud and limit daily transactions.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:53pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life of a sleek, modern Bitcoin ATM machine made of brushed metal and glass, resting on a clean white background and dramatically lit to convey a sense of corporate sophistication and technology.A high-tech Bitcoin ATM machine stands alone, a symbol of the growing need for consumer protection as cryptocurrency scams proliferate.Atlanta Today

The Georgia legislature has passed a bill, House Bill 945, that imposes new regulations on Bitcoin ATM operators in the state. The bill requires clear disclosures to customers, caps transaction fees at 18%, sets daily transaction limits, and mandates refunds for some fraud victims who were deceived into using the kiosks.

Why it matters

Bitcoin ATM scams have become an increasing problem, with criminals using the machines to trick unsuspecting consumers into sending them cryptocurrency. This legislation is an attempt by Georgia lawmakers to protect residents from these types of fraudulent activities and ensure more transparency and consumer protections around virtual currency transactions.

The details

Under HB 945, Bitcoin ATM operators in Georgia will have to provide prominent warnings to customers about the risks of irreversible transactions and potential loss of funds. The bill also caps the total fees that can be charged on a transaction at 18% of the cash exchanged. New customers will be limited to $2,500 in daily transactions, while existing customers can do up to $10,000 per day. Crucially, the bill requires operators to issue refunds to new customers within 72 hours if they were deceived into using the kiosk.

  • HB 945 was passed by the Georgia legislature in April 2026.
  • The bill is awaiting signature by Governor Brian Kemp.

The players

Georgia Legislature

The state government body that passed HB 945 to regulate Bitcoin ATM operators.

Brian Kemp

The Governor of Georgia who will decide whether to sign HB 945 into law.

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What’s next

If signed into law by Governor Kemp, the new Bitcoin ATM regulations in HB 945 would go into effect across Georgia.

The takeaway

This legislation represents a proactive effort by Georgia to protect consumers from the growing problem of Bitcoin ATM scams, which have become increasingly common as cryptocurrency adoption rises. The new rules aim to increase transparency, limit daily transactions, and provide refunds for some fraud victims, helping to make these virtual currency kiosks safer for the public.