District of Columbia Bitcoin ATM Regulations
The District of Columbia requires money transmitter licensing under D.C. Code § 26-1001 and has published bulletins on virtual currency transmission and Bitcoin ATM scams.
Review and sources
Summary reviewed: . Official source. This is a dated summary; later amendments may change these requirements.
Licensing requirements
The District’s banking licensing materials state that no person may engage in the business of money transmission in the District without a money transmitter license unless an exemption applies.
DISB has also published bulletins advising digital asset financial services companies that transmission of virtual currency in the District requires a money transmitter license.
The District has not enacted a separate stand-alone Bitcoin ATM statute with the same type of cap-and-fee structure used in some states, but it has issued BTM-specific warnings and bulletins.
Federal requirements
Federal rules still matter even where a state has no Bitcoin ATM-specific statute.
- Register with FinCEN as a money services business when required by federal law.
- Maintain a written anti-money-laundering program, designate a compliance officer, and train kiosk support staff.
- Use customer identification, sanctions screening, and scam-escalation procedures sized to transaction risk.
- File Suspicious Activity Reports and Currency Transaction Reports when thresholds or facts require them.
Consumer protection
DISB / DC Office of the Attorney General is the main public contact for scam complaints and consumer questions in District of Columbia.
Consumers can start with DISB / DC Office of the Attorney General or call (202) 727-8000.
- DISB has published a dedicated warning page about virtual currency kiosks and scam tactics aimed at District residents.
- The District has also brought enforcement against a crypto ATM operator for exploiting District residents.
- Consumers should contact DISB or the DC Office of the Attorney General quickly if fraud is suspected.
Sources and legislation
Primary state framework: D.C. Code § 26-1001 and DISB virtual currency bulletins.
Primary regulator: District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.
The District currently relies on D.C. Code § 26-1001 plus DISB bulletins and enforcement actions rather than a stand-alone Bitcoin ATM statute.
Official source: state licensing and guidance materials.