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Senate commerce committee defers bill to ban crypto kiosks after split over fraud risk and regulation
Summary
The Hawaii Senate Commerce Committee deferred action on HB1642, a bill that would ban cryptocurrency kiosks, after testimony from the Attorney General and consumer advocates pressing for a ban and from kiosk operators urging regulation and refunds instead. Lawmakers asked staff to draft amendments for further consideration on March 24, 2026.
The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on March 18 deferred action on HB1642, HD1, a proposal that would prohibit the ownership, operation or management of digital financial asset kiosks (crypto kiosks) that accept U.S. currency.
Attorney General’s Office representative James Page told the committee that “these type of kiosks are being increasingly used by criminals to defraud vulnerable consumers, especially seniors,” and said victims often have little chance of recovering money once it is deposited. Audrey Suga Nakagawa of AARP Hawaii urged the committee to act, saying kupuna are disproportionately targeted by kiosk scams and that…
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