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City proposes ordinance to ban cryptocurrency kiosks after fraud reports targeting older residents
Summary
Council staff presented an ordinance to ban cryptocurrency kiosks in Spokane following reported scams that have targeted older residents. The proposed ban follows similar action in other cities and awaits further legal analysis; committee did not record a final vote.
City staff proposed an ordinance to ban cryptocurrency kiosks in Spokane following reports of scams in which kiosk users — including elderly residents — lost significant sums. Staff said the state bill to regulate kiosks advanced this session but stalled in the Senate, and some local jurisdictions have moved to prohibit the devices.
Adam McDaniel and SPD Detective Schwaring (cited by staff) briefed committee members on outreach and education efforts; staff said Spokane is not the first city to adopt removal or prohibition measures and named Stillwater, Minnesota as a recent example. McDaniel described the consumer-protection concerns as “really, really tragic” and said a detailed legal analysis of a local prohibition is pending.
Members and staff discussed public education and cross-jurisdictional enforcement; staff said they will share the legal review once complete. The committee did not record a vote on the proposed ordinance during the briefing.
