Ohio Bitcoin ATM Regulations
Ohio requires Bitcoin ATM operators to hold a money transmitter license under ORC Chapter 1315, but it currently has no state daily transaction limit or fee cap. The pending ELDER Act (HB 648) would add kiosk-focused consumer protections.
Review and sources
Summary reviewed: . Official source. This is a dated summary; later amendments may change these requirements.
Licensing requirements
The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions issued Interpretive Guidance 2022-01 confirming that a business engaged in buying or selling cryptocurrency is generally treated as a money transmitter under the Ohio Money Transmitter Act, codified in ORC Chapter 1315.
A company operating a Bitcoin ATM or crypto kiosk is generally treated as a money transmitter unless it can conclusively verify in all instances that the person conducting the transaction owns the receiving wallet.
Ohio licensing requirements include a $500,000 minimum net worth, a $300,000 surety bond that can scale higher, NMLS filing, control-person background checks, and systems-security review.
Transaction limits
Ohio currently has no state-level daily transaction limits for Bitcoin ATMs. That leaves operators free to set their own limits unless and until legislation changes the framework.
| Threshold | Limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State Daily Limit | None | No current Ohio kiosk cap |
| State Monthly Limit | None | No current Ohio kiosk cap |
| Federal CTR Filing | $10,000+ | BSA/FinCEN |
| Operator-Set Limits | Varies | Per operator policy |
How Ohio Compares
Unlike states that enacted kiosk-specific daily caps, Ohio still operates under general money transmitter licensing and federal compliance requirements.
Fees
No Fee Cap in Ohio
Ohio has no state-mandated fee cap on Bitcoin ATM transactions. Operators set their own fees, subject to general disclosure and unfair-practice rules.
Because Ohio has no kiosk-specific fee cap, consumers should review fees carefully before completing a transaction and report deceptive practices promptly.
Federal requirements
Ohio currently relies on federal Bank Secrecy Act requirements for customer identification, suspicious activity reporting, and other AML controls.
- Customer identification procedures must fit the operator’s risk profile and transaction size.
- Currency Transaction Reports are required when federal thresholds are met.
- Suspicious Activity Reports are required for fraud, money laundering, and related red flags.
- Operators should keep records that support both federal reporting and state examination expectations.
Consumer protection
The Ohio Attorney General and Bureau of Criminal Investigation have publicly highlighted crypto-related scams and created reporting channels for financial fraud.
Consumers who suspect a scam should contact the Ohio AG or BCI promptly, use the AG complaint tools at the Attorney General website, and preserve receipts, wallet addresses, and any QR codes or messages used in the scheme.
- BCI Hotline: 855-224-6446
- Ohio AG Consumer Protection: 800-282-0515
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
Pending legislation
The pending ELDER Act (HB 648) would materially change Ohio’s current framework by adding kiosk-focused consumer protections.
- Tiered transaction limits for new and existing customers
- Mandatory licensing and designated compliance officer requirements
- Fraud warnings, fee disclosures, and detailed receipts
- Refund rights for some fraud victims who report quickly
Market Overview
Ohio remains a significant Bitcoin ATM market because the state still operates under general money transmitter licensing rather than a kiosk-specific cap-and-fee framework.
- Installed base: roughly 1,170+ kiosks noted in prior Ohio market coverage
- Cities served: 270+
- Major operators include national kiosk brands with broad retail footprints
Sources and legislation
Ohio’s framework currently rests on existing law, administrative guidance, and pending legislation rather than a dedicated Bitcoin ATM statute.
- ORC Chapter 1315 — Ohio Money Transmitter Act
- Interpretive Guidance 2022-01 — Licensing of Cryptocurrency Businesses
- HB 648 — ELDER Act (pending)
Official source: Ohio Division of Financial Institutions.