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

Licensing in Michigan

Michigan's Money Transmission Services Act (Act 250 of 2006) requires a DIFS license, through NMLS, to receive 'money or monetary value' for transmission. No statute names kiosks; pending HB 5470 (2026) would add owning or operating a kiosk to the definition of money transmission, which suggests coverage is not explicit today. Surety bond is $500,000 for the first location plus $10,000 per extra location or delegate, up to $1,500,000; net worth $100,000 to $1,500,000. Michigan has not adopted the MTMA (HB 5544 and SB 835 introduced in 2026).

Regulator: Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) · License: Money transmitter license (kiosks not named)

Sources: MCL 487.1011, license required (Money Transmission Services Act) · DIFS Money Transmission Services page (net worth) · DIFS Money Transmission Services Act FAQ (bond, NMLS) · House Fiscal Agency analysis of HB 5469-5470 (2026-03-04) · CSBS MTMA legislative update, August 2026 (Michigan: HB 5544, SB 835 introduced) (secondary)

Kiosk-specific rules

Michigan 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 5469 and HB 5470 (2026, Reps. Aragona and McFall): Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act, plus kiosks made subject to the money transmitter license; introduced 2026-01-22, in House Regulatory Reform; fines up to $1,000 per knowing violation.
• HB 6077 and HB 6078 (2026): would prohibit operating virtual currency kiosks (a 'virtual currency kiosk prevention act' with criminal sentencing guidelines); introduced and reproduced 2026-06-11.
• HB 6222 and HB 6223 (2026, Rep. Paiz): Cryptocurrency Exchange Kiosk Regulation Act, with violations made Consumer Protection Act violations; introduced 2026-07-16, in Regulatory Reform.
• HB 5544 and SB 835 (2026): full MTMA bills, introduced.

Local rules

• Sterling Heights: Ordinance No. 507 (adopted 2026-01-06) requires a city virtual-currency-machine license (by 2026-03-31), yearly inspections, an on-site employee, a customer helpline, photo ID, fraud warnings, and limits of $1,000 per 24 hours for new customers, $2,000 per 24 hours for others, and $10,000 per 30 days.
• Grosse Pointe Farms: ordinance with a $1,000 daily cap and $5,000 over 14 days, adopted before any kiosks were in town (secondary).
• Port Huron: ordinance requiring kiosk registration (secondary; details not read).

Practical hurdles

• Local licensing is growing (Sterling Heights, Grosse Pointe Farms, Port Huron), so rules and limits can differ by city; Sterling Heights requires an employee on site at the kiosk location.
• Several competing state bills (regulation and an outright ban) were pending in 2026.

What we couldn't confirm

• Whether DIFS currently requires a money transmitter license for kiosk-only bitcoin sales (no DIFS kiosk guidance found).
• Detailed provisions (limits, fee caps) of HB 5469 and HB 6222, and the sponsor of HB 6077.
• Content of SB 980 (2026), which secondary sites associate with crypto kiosks.
• Any Michigan AG lawsuit against a kiosk operator (only a 2023 AG/MSP scam warning found).