Spokane’s Wacky War on Crypto ATMs: Scams Beware! 😂

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Oh, what a jolly day it is in Spokane, Washington! The City Council, in a fit of unanimous glee, has decided to ban crypto ATMs! Yes, you heard it right! They claim these virtual currency contraptions are nothing but a grand vehicle for scams! 🚫💰

This little law is just a tiny part of a worldwide hullabaloo, with many places saying “no more” to crypto ATMs. Spokane’s finest law enforcement folks will be keeping a keen eye on this ban to see if it really puts a dent in the dastardly deeds of crypto crime. 🕵️‍♂️

Why is Spokane Banning Crypto ATMs?

Now, crypto ATMs and their virtual currency pals are quite the curious creatures in the Web3 jungle, offering a snazzy spot for users to dip their toes into DeFi. But, oh dear! They’re also a notorious playground for scammers, snatching up user funds and data like candy from a baby! 🍭 For this very reason, Spokane has decided to give these ATMs the boot:

“This ordinance will protect our dear Spokane residents from the sneaky scams lurking in virtual currency kiosks! I’m positively beaming with pride that we’re the first city in the state to take this bold step! These kiosks have become the favorite toys for scammers looking to trick unsuspecting souls,” declared the ever-enthusiastic Council Member Paul Dillon. 🎩

The City Council, in their wisdom, made a few claims to back up Spokane’s crackdown on these crypto contraptions. They mentioned a “consistent rise in victims” losing heaps of dollars, but alas, no juicy numbers were provided! 📉

Apparently, the FBI has a wild tale that scammers used crypto kiosks to pilfer nearly $142 million from the good folks of Washington state. But hold your horses! This figure is from 2023, and it’s as clear as mud how much of this mischief was happening right in Spokane! 🐴

Still, Spokane is the second-largest city in the state, so it’s likely they’ve had their fair share of these losses.

Whether Spokane is right or wrong in their crusade against crypto ATMs, it’s all part of a global trend. Just three months ago, local regulators in four countries decided to jump on the bandwagon and pass measures against these kiosks faster than you can say “crypto crime!” 🌍

And the legislative fun doesn’t stop there! Other US states are joining the fray, waving their legislative wands! 🪄

But wait! There are still a few head-scratchers about Spokane’s new crypto ATM ban. For instance, some of these kiosks primarily deal with good old fiat currency but also dabble in crypto. 🤔

Will the ban mean they have to yank them out entirely, or just turn off the crypto switch? Either way, the city is giving vendors a 60-day grace period to sort things out. ⏳

Once the ban takes effect, Spokane’s police department (SPD) will be on the lookout, monitoring the impact of this ATM ban on local crypto crime. The City Council assures us that the SPD will be providing regular updates on this thrilling saga! 📊

Let’s hope this data collection will reveal whether these ATMs are indeed a gateway to crypto crime or just a convenient scapegoat for the real villains! 🦸‍♂️

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2025-06-18 19:13