Crypto ATM laws in Ohio: a guide for operators (2026)

Licensing in Ohio

Ohio requires money transmitters to be licensed under R.C. Chapter 1315 (1315.01-1315.18) by the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Department of Commerce. The Division of Financial Institutions treats crypto kiosk/ATM companies as licensees: it publishes a 'List of Cryptocurrency Kiosk/ATM Companies' (licensed or pending) and tells consumers to check it before using a kiosk. Applications go through NMLS. By statute the Superintendent must decide within 180 days after accepting a complete application (R.C. 1315.03(B)(1)).

Regulator: Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions (Superintendent of Financial Institutions) · License: Money transmitter license

Sources: Ohio DFI List of Cryptocurrency Kiosk/ATM Companies · Ohio DFI money transmitter applications (via NMLS) · R.C. Chapter 1315 · R.C. 1315.01 definitions

Kiosk-specific rules

Ohio has no law written specifically for crypto ATMs as of 2026-10-28. The general money transmission rules above and the federal rules still apply.

Bills and changes to watch

• HB 648 (136th GA), the 'ELDER Act' (Reps. Kishman and Miller). It would require virtual currency kiosk operators to be licensed as money transmitters and set uniform kiosk standards. The sponsors testified in committee. Its current status and detailed provisions (limits, fees, refunds) were not confirmed.

Enforcement and lawsuits

• Ohio DFI consumer alert: Bitcoin Depot Inc. filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations, and Ohio consumers may be eligible for refunds. Secondary reports date the Chapter 11 filing to about 2026-05-18/19, with about 9,000 kiosks shut nationwide.

Practical hurdles

• DFI points consumers to its kiosk-company list, so an operator should be licensed and listed before deploying. By statute DFI has up to 180 days after a complete application to decide.
• Ohio DFI says Coin ATM Radar lists more than 800 kiosk locations in Ohio, a crowded market.

What we couldn't confirm

• HB 648 status, committee and provisions. The analysis and fiscal note (search-prod.lis.state.oh.us) and the bill page could not be opened because of the network block and fetch budget.
• Whether Ohio has adopted the MTMA. The R.C. 1315 sections found date from 2007-era legislation.
• Ohio surety bond and net worth amounts for money transmitters.
• A Cuyahoga County prosecution involving Bitcoin of America ATMs appeared in search results (news5cleveland.com) but was not opened. Date and outcome are unconfirmed.
• No Ohio local kiosk ordinances were found.