State-by-state Bitcoin ATM rules, transaction limits, and licensing requirements. Each guide identifies its sources and last review date.
Last updated:
Covered money services businesses must register with FinCEN. Registration does not confer approval or a license to operate nationwide. State licensing requirements and kiosk restrictions must be checked separately. Source: FinCEN notice on convertible virtual currency kiosks.
Compare transaction limits, fees, and consumer protections using the official sources linked below. Each summary has its own review date. The page update date does not mean every state has been reviewed again.
These are summaries of selected requirements, not determinations that a particular operator is licensed. Check the applicable regulator and enacted law before relying on a limit or refund rule.
Dated summaries of selected state requirements. Follow the reviewed date to the source; this table is not a complete compliance checklist.
| State | New Customer Limit | Existing Customer Limit | Customer Period / Other Limits | Fee Cap | Status | Reviewed / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $2,000/day | $10,500/day | First 10 days | Not specified in cited law | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Arkansas | $2,000/day | $7,500/day | First 72 hours | $5 or 18%; see statute | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| California | $1,000/day | $1,000/day | All customers | Greater of $5 or 15% | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Colorado | $2,000/day | $10,500/day | First 7 days | Not specified in cited law | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Connecticut | $2,000/day | $5,000/day | Fewer than 3 transactions AND under 72 hours | 15% | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Illinois | $2,500/day | $10,500/day | Earlier of 3 transactions or 7 days | Greater of $5 or 18% | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Iowa | $1,000/day | $1,000/day | First 30 days; $10,000 total during that period | Greater of $5 or 15% | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Maine | $1,000/day | $1,000/day | All customers | Greater of $5 or 3% | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Maryland | $2,000/day | $10,500/day | First transaction and following 72 hours | Greater of $5 or 15% | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Minnesota | Prohibited | Prohibited | Not applicable | Not applicable | Banned from August 1, 2026 | 2026-09-05 |
| Nebraska | $2,000/day | $10,500/day | First 14 days | 18% | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Oklahoma | $2,000/day | Not specified in cited law | First 72 hours | 15% | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Rhode Island | $2,000/day | $5,000/day | First 30 days | Not specified in cited law | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| South Dakota | $1,000/day | $1,000/day | $10,000 per 30 days for all users | 25% | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Utah | $2,000/day | $5,000/day | 3 calendar days following first-transaction day | Not specified in cited law | Active | 2026-09-05 |
| Vermont | Prohibited | Prohibited | Not applicable | Not applicable | Banned from July 1, 2026 | 2026-09-05 |
| Virginia | $2,000/day when effective | $5,000/day when effective | $10,000/month; new-user transactions held 48 hours | 18% when effective | Effective July 1, 2027 | 2026-09-05 |
| Wisconsin | $1,000/day | $1,000/day | All customers | Not specified in cited law | Active | 2026-09-05 |
Choose a state for its dated summary, primary sources, and related reporting.
New-customer definitions differ by state. They may depend on elapsed time, completed transactions, or both. Check the cited law for how daily, monthly, and initial-customer limits interact.
Identity verification and recordkeeping requirements depend on the applicable federal and state rules. State guides link to the relevant sources; operators should check which information must be collected and retained.
Fee limits vary by state. Some combine a percentage with a fixed-dollar amount, and the law may include the exchange-rate spread in the calculation. The comparison table gives the applicable source and qualifications.
Most states require Bitcoin ATM operators to hold a Money Transmitter License (MTL). This involves background checks, surety bonds, and ongoing compliance reporting. Unlicensed operation can result in significant penalties.
Common terms and questions about Bitcoin ATM regulations
MTL stands for Money Transmitter License. This is a state-issued license required for businesses that transfer money or monetary value on behalf of others. Bitcoin ATM operators must obtain an MTL in most states to legally operate their machines.
KYC stands for Know Your Customer. These are identity verification procedures that require operators to collect and verify customer information such as government-issued ID, name, address, and date of birth before allowing transactions.
The new customer period is the time window after a customer's first transaction during which they are subject to lower transaction limits. This period varies by state (72 hours to 30 days) and is designed to prevent fraud by limiting exposure for new, unverified users.
FinCEN is the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Covered money services businesses must register with FinCEN. Registration is separate from state licensing and does not authorize operation in a state that prohibits kiosks.
A fee cap is the maximum total percentage or amount that operators can charge customers for a transaction. This includes all fees, spreads, and other charges combined. For example, an 18% fee cap means the total cost cannot exceed 18% of the transaction amount.
AML stands for Anti-Money Laundering. AML compliance includes the policies, procedures, and controls that operators must implement to detect and report suspicious financial activities. This includes transaction monitoring, record-keeping, and filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).