Indiana Implements Emergency Ban on Cryptocurrency Kiosks to Combat Surging Financial Fraud and Elder Scams

Governor Mike Braun signs emergency law banning all cryptocurrency kiosks in Indiana to protect residents from a surge in financial fraud and scams.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 8:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Indiana Public Radio (IPR)

Emergency Declaration Halts Statewide Kiosk Operations

Indiana has officially become the first state in the nation to impose a total ban on the operation of cryptocurrency kiosks, commonly known as Bitcoin ATMs. Governor Mike Braun signed the emergency legislation last week, causing the immediate deactivation of approximately 800 to 900 units located in convenience stores and gas stations. Law enforcement agencies, led by the Evansville Police Department, spent Tuesday informing local business owners of the new legal requirement to disconnect any independently owned machines to avoid potential liability under the new statute.

Combating the "Scam-demic" Targeting Vulnerable Residents

The legislative push, authored by State Representative Wendy McNamara, was driven by a dramatic increase in reports of financial exploitation. In Evansville alone, police reported that fraud incidents linked to these kiosks have doubled annually for the past four years, with total losses exceeding $400,000. Detective Sergeant Nathan VanCleave noted that the average individual loss is approximately $11,000, often involving elderly victims who are manipulated into depositing cash under the guise of fake emergencies, such as unpaid jury duty fines or "grandparent scams."

Industry Response and Remote Deactivation

Major industry operators have already begun complying with the emergency directive. Bitcoin Depot, which maintains one of the largest networks in the state, has reportedly initiated remote deactivation for its machines. While industry representatives initially lobbied for regulation such as fee caps and transaction limits rather than an outright ban, state lawmakers ultimately determined that the lack of oversight and the high speed of irreversible transactions made the kiosks fundamentally incompatible with current consumer protection standards.