Albuquerque Mayor Signed Ban on Crypto Kiosks

The ordinance targets machines used in fraud schemes and requires their removal within 45 days.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration showing a single, sleek, empty metallic kiosk terminal in a sunlit, minimalist plaza. — Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has signed the Virtual Currency Ordinance, mandating the removal of all physical cryptocurrency kiosks across the city to curb financial fraud. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support banning cryptocurrency kiosks to reduce financial scams in your community?

Mayor Tim Keller signed the Virtual Currency Ordinance into law, officially banning physical cryptocurrency kiosks and cashier-facilitated transactions across Albuquerque. The measure was passed to combat scams and coercive payment schemes.

Why it matters

The ban addresses the growing use of cryptocurrency ATMs by bad actors who leverage the machines to facilitate impersonation and financial exploitation of local residents. By removing these access points, the city seeks to eliminate a critical tool used by scammers.

The ordinance prohibits property owners and retailers from hosting crypto kiosks, with penalties including daily fines and business license revocation. Machines must be cleared out within 45 days of the effective date.

The players

Tim Keller

Tim Keller serves as the Mayor of Albuquerque and signed the new Virtual Currency Ordinance into law.

Albuquerque City Council

The Albuquerque City Council is the legislative body that approved the measure to ban cryptocurrency kiosks.

The details

The city has begun the process of notifying known machine operators and business owners of the new requirements. Authorities are prepared to pursue injunctive action against any entities that fail to comply with the removal mandate.

The Albuquerque City Council approved the ordinance on September 9, 2026.
Mayor Tim Keller signed the ordinance into law on September 25, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of the measure, including some kiosk operators and business advocates, have argued that the ban unfairly restricts legitimate financial technology. They contend that the city should focus on public education rather than outright prohibition of the machines.

Residents will no longer be able to use physical cryptocurrency kiosks for transactions at local retail businesses. Property owners who fail to remove these machines by the deadline face potential daily fines and the risk of losing their business licenses.

The takeaway

The new ordinance significantly limits the physical presence of crypto-related financial tools within the city. Business owners should review their existing contracts and operations to ensure compliance before the removal deadline expires.