QUICK ANSWER: The Jackson, Michigan City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning all cryptocurrency ATMs from operating in the city. No one may install or host a crypto ATM, or perform cryptocurrency transactions through a cashier. The law takes effect October 22, 2026, and operators have 90 days from then to remove their machines or face penalties.
What the council approved
According to reporting by ATM Marketplace citing MLive, Jackson is joining a growing list of states and localities moving against virtual currency kiosks. The ordinance prohibits installing or hosting crypto ATMs anywhere in the community, and also bars performing cryptocurrency transactions via a cashier. The resolution states the City Council’s reasoning directly: “The City Council finds that the continued operation of virtual currency kiosks within the city poses a significant risk to public welfare, facilitates financial exploitation and undermines consumer protection efforts.” It goes on to say that “regulatory safeguards adopted in other jurisdictions have in many instances proven insufficient to prevent ongoing harm.”
Why crypto ATMs are a target
Cryptocurrency ATMs — machines that let people buy or sell digital currency like Bitcoin for cash — have become a common tool in fraud schemes nationwide. Scammers frequently pressure victims into depositing cash at these kiosks, and once the transaction clears, the money is effectively unrecoverable. Jackson’s unanimous vote signals that the council viewed the machines as a net risk to residents rather than a convenience worth keeping.
Timeline: what happens next
September 2026: Council unanimously passes the ordinance. October 22, 2026: The ordinance takes effect. January 2027 (approximately): The 90-day removal window closes; operators who have not removed machines face penalties. Residents who use crypto ATMs should plan accordingly — machines in Jackson will be going dark, and any operator still hosting one past the deadline faces city penalties.
FAQ
Are all cryptocurrency ATMs banned in Jackson, Michigan?
Yes. The ordinance bans all crypto ATMs from operating in the community, and also prohibits installing or hosting the machines or performing cryptocurrency transactions via a cashier.
When does the ban take effect?
October 22, 2026.
How long do operators have to remove their machines?
Operators have 90 days from the effective date to remove the ATMs or face penalties.
Why did the council ban them?
The resolution says virtual currency kiosks pose a significant risk to public welfare, facilitate financial exploitation, and undermine consumer protection efforts, and that safeguards adopted elsewhere have proven insufficient.
Does the ban apply to buying crypto online?
No. The ordinance targets physical crypto ATMs and cashier-based transactions in Jackson, not online or app-based cryptocurrency purchases.
Sources
- https://www.atmmarketplace.com/news/jackson-michigan-bans-crypto-atms/
Comments