Tennessee Bans Crypto ATMs Statewide, Escalating Regulatory Crackdown on Scams

Odaily BlockBeats News Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill banning cryptocurrency ATM operations statewide, making Tennessee the second state to implement a complete ban after Indiana.

The bill (HB 2505) has officially taken effect and will be enforced starting July 1. Under the new regulations, installing or operating a "virtual currency kiosk" (i.e., a Bitcoin ATM) will be classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,500. Additionally, merchants who allow such machines on their premises will also face legal liability.

Currently, most U.S. states have strengthened oversight through measures such as licensing systems and transaction limits, but full bans remain rare. Data indicates that since 2026, 30 states have proposed related legislation, with 20 having passed laws, reflecting a continuous tightening of regulations around crypto ATM fraud risks.