The Spokane City Council has voted unanimously to prohibit virtual currency kiosks within the city. 

“This ordinance will protect vulnerable Spokane residents from scams involving virtual currency kiosks, and I am proud we are the first city in the state to move this legislation forward,” Council Member Paul Dillon, who brought forth the ordinance with Council President Betsy Wilkerson, says in a press release. “These kiosks have become a preferred tool for scammers looking to defraud unsuspecting victims.”

According to the Council, Spokane has experienced an uptick in scams related to cryptocurrency kiosks, with a consistent rise in victims losing thousands of dollars.

The FBI reported in 2023 that there were nearly $5.6 billion in losses due to virtual currency kiosk-aided scams in the U.S., with losses amounting to over $140 million in Washington state, the release states.

“Unfortunately, many in our community have fallen victim to this growing issue, with numerous individuals losing their life savings,” says Spokane Police Department Detective Tim Schwering in the release. “This is a vital first step in protecting Spokane residents.”

Spokane Police Department personnel have been tracking and investigating crimes related to virtual currency and kiosks. It is anticipated that the department will provide regular reports on whether the ordinance has a measurable impact on the frequency of reported crimes involving virtual currency kiosks.