- AB866 requires upfront fees on 38,000+ U.S. cryptocurrency kiosks.
- Law limits unverified transactions, fines up to $10,000.
- Bitcoin at $77,211 with Fear & Greed Index at 26.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 866 on April 9, 2025. The law targets cryptocurrency kiosks. It mandates upfront fee disclosures and operator registration. Retiree Lisa Johnson's $110 scam loss ignited the push.
Last year, Johnson stood in a Milwaukee convenience store at dusk. She scanned her phone's wallet QR code at a gleaming cryptocurrency kiosk. She inserted $500 in bills. Hidden fees slashed her Bitcoin purchase by 22%, leaving her with just $390 worth.
Retiree Johnson's $110 Nightmare at Crypto Kiosk
The 58-year-old stared at the screen, heart sinking. "I thought I bought Bitcoin at market rate," Johnson testified to the Wisconsin Assembly. These kiosks resemble ATMs. They convert cash to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. You'll find them in gas stations, malls, and stores nationwide.
Operators charge fees exceeding 20%, often buried in fine print or post-transaction screens. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data shows this pattern. Vulnerable groups suffer most—seniors, immigrants, low-income workers. The FTC tallied $1.4 billion in crypto scams for 2023. Many traced to kiosks enabling rapid losses through fake wallets or redirects.
Up North News captured Johnson's testimony. She recounted neighbors falling victim at unmonitored machines. "These kiosks prey on people who avoid banks," Johnson warned lawmakers. Her story painted a vivid picture: a retiree trusting tech, only to watch savings vanish.
Community Rally Versus Kiosk Industry Pushback
Johnson refused defeat. She rallied her Milwaukee community. Emails flooded regulators. She lobbied in Madison, sharing tales of erased retirement funds. Kiosk lobbyists fought back fiercely. They claimed regulations would crush innovation and limit cash-to-crypto access.
Assembly Representative Greta Neubauer led the charge. "We cannot let technology exploit the vulnerable," Neubauer declared during floor debate, according to Wisconsin Legislature records. AB866 demands bold fee postings at eye level. It caps transactions for unverified users at $1,000. Violators face fines up to $10,000. View the full bill text at Wisconsin Legislature documents.
Cryptocurrency kiosks exploded across the U.S. Coin ATM Radar logs over 38,000 machines. Founder Salva Perez confirmed this in a recent interview. Online platforms like Coinbase offer lower fees. Yet kiosks appeal to cash users wary of banks. Ethereum trades at $2,422 today, up 3.2%.
Bitcoin Rally Fuels Kiosk Boom and Scam Fears
Bitcoin hit $77,211, gaining 2.9%, per CoinMarketCap. The Fear & Greed Index lingers at 26, indicating extreme fear, via Alternative.me. This surge accelerates kiosk installations. Scams follow suit.
CoinDesk highlights operator scrutiny. Fees eclipse exchange rates by wide margins. California and Texas eye similar legislation. Up North News reports the assembly vote. CoinDesk examines operator woes.
The FTC issues stark kiosk warnings. Its guidance flags fake redirects and steep costs. Johnson's win reveals technology's sharp edges. Blockchain promises decentralized finance. Kiosks, by contrast, foster deception in plain sight.
Operators argue they provide essential access. A typical kiosk session lasts under two minutes. Users insert cash, select crypto, scan wallet. Fees activate silently unless disclosed. Johnson's case exposed this flaw. Lawmakers cited her testimony 12 times in debates.
What AB866 Means for Crypto Users Nationwide
Enforcement launches June 2025. Watchdogs like Johnson vow to patrol compliance. They plan store checks and tip lines. BlackRock's Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) draw mainstream money. States mimic Wisconsin.
Fintech analyst Maria Gonzalez of Cornell Financial Institute warns: "Kiosks bridge cash to crypto. Without rules, they bridge users to poverty." Her recent report echoes this. Nationally, 15 states introduced kiosk bills in 2025, per the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Johnson's model spreads fast. It tempers crypto hype during volatility. Retail investors secure safeguards as Bitcoin tests records. Cryptocurrency kiosks must now balance accessibility with honesty. Johnson's fight ensures fees no longer hide in shadows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are cryptocurrency kiosks?
Cash-to-crypto ATMs in stores like gas stations. They charge high fees, now regulated in Wisconsin with clear disclosures.
How does Wisconsin's law regulate cryptocurrency kiosks?
AB866 requires bold upfront fees, operator registration, transaction limits, and fines for violations.
Why target cryptocurrency kiosks for scams?
Hidden fees and fake redirects prey on vulnerable users. FTC notes $1.4B in 2023 crypto losses.
What's the crypto market sentiment now?
Fear & Greed Index at 26 signals fear. Bitcoin at $77,211 despite gains.
