Security

Kennewick, Washington bans crypto ATMs

Photo: Adobe Stock

April 24, 2026

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Kennewick, Washington, has passed a ban on cryptocurrency ATMs, the first in the Tri-Cities area to do so. The city council approved the ordinance banning new crypto ATMs from being installed and requiring businesses to remove the approximately 16 crypto ATMs within the city limits, according to a report by the Tri City Herald.

Businesses have 180 days to comply with this ordinance. The city passed this law due to reports of more than 36 people reporting scams costing them a total of $1 million. The ordinance passed unanimously at 7-0.

"This has not been something that I knew was a major concern, and hearing the report and the statistics of the challenges associated with our city, in particular, and others in the area, I'm very happy to see this coming forward for a vote this evening," Mayor Jason McShane said during a hearing.

The city has the authority to revoke business licenses for operators who don't remove the machines or install new ones. It joins a rising number of states and localities that have banned bitcoin ATMs.