Spokane Valley Considers Banning Crypto Kiosks After Scams and Suicide

City council to vote on prohibiting virtual currency kiosks to address rising fraud and victim losses.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a cryptocurrency kiosk machine with its metal casing and digital display illuminated by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A cryptocurrency kiosk machine, the focus of a proposed ban in Spokane Valley after scams targeting vulnerable residents resulted in significant financial losses and at least one suicide.Spokane Today

The Spokane Valley City Council will consider banning cryptocurrency kiosks on Tuesday night following a rise in scams that have resulted in significant financial losses for victims, including one reported suicide. The proposal comes after the nearby city of Spokane banned such kiosks last year, and as state lawmakers failed to pass regulations on the industry.

Why it matters

Cryptocurrency kiosks have become a popular tool for scammers to trick victims, often the elderly, into depositing cash under false pretenses like unpaid debts or threats of arrest. The Spokane Valley ban aims to curb these scams, which have led to millions in losses and at least one tragic suicide in the region.

The details

The Spokane Valley proposal would prohibit any person or entity from operating a virtual currency kiosk within the city limits. Data shows there are at least 20 such kiosks in the city, operated by companies like Bitcoin Depot, Coinstar, Coinflip and Cash2Bitcoin. Local law enforcement has investigated at least 10 cases in the Valley where residents lost significant sums, resulting in one suicide. Violating the ordinance would result in a $250 fine, and businesses would have 30 days to remove the kiosks or risk losing their licenses.

  • The Spokane Valley City Council will consider the proposal on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The city of Spokane banned cryptocurrency kiosks in June 2025, becoming the first city in Washington to do so.
  • State lawmakers considered proposals to regulate the kiosks in 2026, but the bills stalled before the legislative session ended.

The players

Spokane Valley City Council

The governing body of Spokane Valley, Washington that will vote on the proposed ban on cryptocurrency kiosks.

Spokane Police Department

Local law enforcement in Spokane Valley that has investigated at least 10 cases of residents losing significant sums to cryptocurrency kiosk scams.

Cathy MacCaul

The advocacy director for AARP Washington who criticized state lawmakers for failing to pass consumer protections for cryptocurrency kiosks.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Lawmakers had a clear opportunity to put basic guardrails in place — such as transaction limits, fee caps, and prominent scam warnings. Instead, they allowed industry lobbyists to portray consumer protections as a threat to their business model.”

— Cathy MacCaul, AARP Washington advocacy director

What’s next

If approved, the Spokane Valley ordinance would give local businesses 30 days to remove any cryptocurrency kiosks from the city. Violators would face a $250 civil fine.

The takeaway

The proposed Spokane Valley ban on cryptocurrency kiosks highlights the growing problem of scams targeting vulnerable populations, especially the elderly, through these unregulated financial services. While a local solution, the issue extends beyond one city and requires broader consumer protections at the state and federal level.