Tennessee Bitcoin ATM Regulations
Tennessee regulates money transmitters under its general licensing law, without a separate Bitcoin ATM consumer-protection statute identified.
Licensing Requirements
Tennessee regulates money transmitters through the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions under the Tennessee Money Transmitter Act.
No Tennessee statute specific only to Bitcoin ATM kiosks was identified as of March 24, 2026.
Operators should review whether their kiosk model receives money for transmission or otherwise triggers Tennessee licensing before launch.
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 Resources
Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the main public contact for scam complaints and consumer questions in Tennessee.
Consumers can start with Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.
- Consumers should verify the provider in NMLS Consumer Access before sending funds.
- If the transaction was scam-induced, preserve all documentation and report the matter quickly.
- Never use a Bitcoin ATM because a caller claims to be a government office or a utility.
Legislative Reference
Primary state framework: Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-7-201 et seq. (Tennessee Money Transmitter Act).
Primary regulator: Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.
Tennessee currently relies on its general money transmitter law rather than a Bitcoin ATM-specific statute.
Official source: state licensing and guidance materials.