San Antonio city ordinance requires all 193 cryptocurrency ATMs in the city to post bilingual English-Spanish anti-fraud warning signs starting July 1, with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) responsible for production, distribution, and enforcement; violators face fines of $100 to $500 per incident, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense.
Bitcoin ATM Bilingual Warning Sign Format Specifications and Fine Standards
The ordinance mandates that operators must post bilingual English and Spanish signs next to each cryptocurrency ATM, using 18-point color font, placed in a position directly visible to users standing in front of the machine. The signs must list common scam tactics and instruct users who feel coerced into sending money to call 911 immediately.
The SAPD is responsible for producing and distributing the signs; each violation carries a fine of $100 to $500, with each day of continued violation constituting a separate offense.
Victim Characteristics and Loss Distribution Across 660 Cases in San Antonio
Data submitted by the SAPD during the ordinance approval process revealed the following victim characteristics:
· Nearly 38% of victims were aged 66 or older; the oldest victim was 90, and the youngest was a teenager.
· Approximately 88% of cases involved losses under $50,000.
· 4 cases involved losses exceeding $1 million.
660 Cases from January 2024 to April 2026, Total Losses Approximately $39 Million
Scammers typically impersonate law enforcement or government agency officials, fabricating urgent scenarios involving arrest warrants or unpaid fines, instructing victims to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, and maintaining continuous calls throughout the transaction process, preventing victims from contacting family or seeking help from store employees before the money is sent.
Texas Statewide Ban Push Progress and Other States with Implemented Bans
Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith visited the Texas Legislature this week, meeting with the office of State Senator Bryan Hughes, State Representative Cole Hefner, State Representative Daniel Alders, and officials from the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to lobby for a statewide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs.
Currently, Indiana, Tennessee, and Minnesota have already implemented statewide bans. San Antonio currently has 193 cryptocurrency ATMs, more than Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical operation flow of a San Antonio Bitcoin ATM scam?
The typical scam process described by the SAPD is: scammers impersonate law enforcement, court officials, or utility company personnel, claiming the victim has an arrest warrant or unpaid bills, demanding immediate deposit of cash into a Bitcoin ATM to resolve the issue. Scammers maintain continuous calls throughout the operation, preventing victims from contacting family or calling 911 before the cash is converted into cryptocurrency and transferred. The U.S. Secret Service notes that once cryptocurrency enters the foreign exchange market, it is difficult to recover.
What is the direct connection between Bitcoin Depot's bankruptcy protection filing and the crypto ATM scam problem?
Bitcoin Depot operates over 9,000 cryptocurrency ATMs in North America. In February 2026, the Massachusetts Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Bitcoin Depot's operations in Massachusetts, alleging that over half of its ATMs' revenue in the state involved fraudulent transactions. In Q1 2026, Bitcoin Depot's revenue declined approximately 50% year-over-year, and it filed for bankruptcy protection in May 2026.
Would any legitimate government agency require payment via Bitcoin ATM?
According to a clear statement from the SAPD, no legitimate government agency or utility company will ever require payment via Bitcoin ATM. This remains true even if the caller knows the victim's personal information, uses a real police officer's name, or spoofs a genuine phone number. Once cash is converted into cryptocurrency and sent to the scammer's wallet, the transaction is irreversible.
