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

Licensing in Virginia

From 2027-07-01 a separate SCC virtual currency kiosk operator license is required (Va. Code ch. 22.2). Money transmitters are licensed under new Chapter 19.1, which 2025 Acts ch. 214 put in place of Chapter 19; the SCC proposed conforming rules (10VAC5-120) in 2026.

Regulator: State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Financial Institutions · License: Kiosk license (from July 2027)

Sources: Va. Code Title 6.2, Ch. 22.2 · Va. Code Title 6.2, Ch. 19.1 (Money Transmitters) · Virginia Register, 10VAC5-120 proposed (2026-05-04)

Virginia's kiosk law

Va. Code Title 6.2, Ch. 22.2 (2026, cc. 654, 655) · effective 2027-07-01. From July 1, 2027: a kiosk license, daily and monthly limits, a 48-hour hold for new users, an 18% cap and annual and quarterly reports.

• A license from the State Corporation Commission is required to operate or place a kiosk.
• New users: no more than $2,000 a day. Any user: $5,000 a day and $10,000 a month at most.
• Hold every new user's transaction at least 48 hours; the user may cancel for a full refund during the hold.
• Charges per transaction may not exceed 18% of its value, including any part of the annual fee passed on.

Sources: Va. Code Title 6.2, Ch. 22.2 · Va. Code § 6.2-2241 · Va. Code § 6.2-2249 · Va. Code § 6.2-2255 · Va. Code § 6.2-2256

Also in the law, and recent changes

• The chapter sets minimum standards only; localities may adopt stricter ordinances (6.2-2240).
• Verify identity for every attempted transaction before accepting payment (government ID copy plus name, date of birth, phone, address and email); no transactions under another name or account (6.2-2254 D).
• Give each host location annual staff training materials on kiosk scams and red flags, and do not stop location staff from warning users (6.2-2254 E).
• A 'new user' is someone with fewer than three transactions within 14 business days (HB 665 text).

Sources: Va. Code 6.2-2240 · Va. Code 6.2-2254 · Va. HB 665 (2026) text

Bills and changes to watch

• SCC case BFI-2026-00008: proposed amendments to the money transmitter rules (10VAC5-120) to implement Chapter 19.1, published 2026-05-04.

Local rules

• State law expressly preserves stricter local kiosk ordinances (from 2027-07-01); none found yet.

Practical hurdles

• ID on every transaction (not just the first) adds friction at the kiosk.
• Expect a local patchwork; the state law is a floor.
• Scam pressure context: FBI IC3 counted 413 crypto-kiosk complaints from this state in 2025 with $7,128,025 in adjusted losses (FBI notes losses may include non-kiosk transactions).

What we couldn't confirm

• MTMA: Chapter 19.1 has the MTMA structure (networked supervision, consistent licensing), but we did not see it named as the MTMA; check the CSBS list.
• Kiosk license bond amount (6.2-2243) and NMLS use.