Today, May 12, 2026, the Alaska State Senate passed Senate Bill 249, which establishes a Consumer Bill of Rights intended to protect Alaskans from scams involving crypto ATMs.
SB 249 requires virtual currency kiosks (also known as Bitcoin ATMs) to display mandatory fraud warnings, acquire licenses, enact transactions limits, and cap transaction fees. The bill also encourages law enforcement cooperation so officers may track transfers in real-time and facilitates refunds for fraudulent virtual currency transfers.
According to a press release from the Senate Republicans, Senator Cathy Tilton (R-Wasilla) was “called to action after her mother was targeted by scammers who used a cryptocurrency kiosk to take thousands of dollars from her aging parent.”
According to Senator Tilton, “In 2024, Alaskans lost more than $26 million to online fraud, with seniors bearing a third of those losses. Our seniors spent decades building our state, families, and their life savings. Enacting digital currency protections is another critical step to allowing seniors to live their golden years in peace and stability.”
The bill is widely supported across party lines, being sponsored by 15 out of 20 Alaska State Senators. The House Labor and Commerce Committee will take up the bill tomorrow, Wednesday, May 13, at 3:15 p.m.
