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

Licensing in Massachusetts

Since 2026-01-01, M.G.L. c. 169B (Chapter 312 of the Acts of 2024, signed 2025-01-01) requires a money transmitter license from the Division of Banks, through NMLS, for domestic and foreign money transmission. The Division's FAQ says c. 169B generally covers virtual currency transmission because it treats common cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin as 'monetary value', and licensees must report self-service kiosks on the authorized-delegate/location report (UAAR). Entities had to apply by 2026-07-01. Before 2026, Division opinions (2014-2020) found kiosk sellers of their own bitcoin did not need a foreign transmittal agency license.

Regulator: Division of Banks (Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation) · License: Money transmitter license

Sources: Mass. Division of Banks FAQ: Chapter 312 of the Acts of 2024, Money Transmission Law (updated 2026-04-30) · Division of Banks regulatory notice, 2026-07-31: reminder of MTL requirements under c. 169B · 209 CMR 44.00: Licensing and Regulation of Money Transmitters · Division of Banks opinion on kiosk bitcoin sales (no foreign transmittal agency license, pre-c. 169B)

Kiosk-specific rules

Massachusetts 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

• Statewide ban: the Senate's version of the economic development bill (H.5576, Senate text S.3228/S.3178) included Sen. Cronin's crypto ATM ban and passed the Senate on 2026-07-24; the House did not agree on 2026-07-30 and a conference committee was named (Michlewitz-Fiola-Soter). The House version left the ban out. Per AARP (2026-07-31), new rules let the conference keep negotiating past July 31 through the end of 2026. No conference report found as of 2026-10-28.
• S.804 (194th session, Sen. O'Connor): regulation and reporting requirements for kiosk operators; heard by the Joint Committee on Financial Services.
• S.757 (Sen. Finegold): virtual currency fraud prevention rules; heard by the Joint Committee on Financial Services.
• S.3048 (194th session): kiosk bill reported out of committee; contents and status not confirmed.

Local rules

• Lynnfield: General Bylaw Chapter 128 'Cryptocurrency Machines' bans virtual currency kiosks in town.
• Gloucester: a city ordinance banning kiosks and requiring removal within 30 days was before the Budget & Finance committee on 2025-09-18 (final vote not confirmed).
• Ipswich: an October 28, 2025 Special Town Meeting warrant article would ban kiosks and require removal within 60 days (outcome not confirmed).
• Sharon: 2026 Annual Town Meeting Article 19 would ban kiosks, $300 fine per day per violation (outcome not confirmed).
• Boston.com reported on 2026-08-29 that 20 Massachusetts communities have banned crypto kiosks (secondary; list not read).

Enforcement and lawsuits

• AG Andrea Campbell sued Bitcoin Depot, alleging misleading sales tactics, overcharging and knowingly facilitating scams that cost Massachusetts consumers more than $10 million; seeks an order limiting large transactions without more fraud checks and refunds (filed early 2026; Orrick alert dated 2026-02-06).

Practical hurdles

• A statewide ban passed the Senate in July 2026; operators face real risk of a ban if it comes back in conference or in the next session.
• Local town meeting bylaws banning kiosks are spreading (about 20 communities by late August 2026, per Boston.com), so host-site availability varies town by town.
• c. 169B licensing became mandatory in 2026; operators without a pending application by 2026-07-01 are exposed to unlicensed-activity claims.

What we couldn't confirm

• Whether the H.5576 conference committee report kept, changed or dropped the kiosk ban, and whether any ban became law (no conference report found as of 2026-10-28).
• Exact filing date of the AG's Bitcoin Depot suit (press release date not shown in the excerpt).
• Content and status of S.3048.
• Final adoption of the Gloucester, Ipswich and Sharon bans, and the full list of about 20 towns.
• CSBS lists Massachusetts MTMA as 'H.B. 4840, 2025'; mass.gov calls it Chapter 312 of the Acts of 2024 signed 2025-01-01. The mass.gov version is used here.