St. Paul bans cryptocurrency kiosks citywide in 6–1 vote

📌 Key Facts

St. Paul City Council adopted an ordinance banning cryptocurrency kiosks citywide in a 6–1 vote on Nov. 19, 2025.
Council Member Anika Bowie cast the lone 'no' vote, saying a ban would simply push the problem into neighboring cities.
Council President Rebecca Noecker led the effort to ban the kiosks; Council Members Saura Jost and Cheniqua Johnson said presentations on scams influenced their support.
The article cites at least 32 cryptocurrency kiosks in St. Paul and reports 51 scam incidents statewide totaling about $700,000 in losses.
Stillwater’s earlier kiosk ban prompted a lawsuit from Bitcoin Depot; a Bitcoin Depot representative spoke at the St. Paul hearing but did not signal plans for legal action there.

On X, users highlight that cryptocurrency kiosk scams disproportionately target elderly and vulnerable populations, with posts emphasizing billions lost nationwide and calls to warn seniors, a demographic detail often overlooked in mainstream reports.
Social media discussions point out the ban's potential harm to small businesses reliant on kiosks, framing it as an overreach that could exacerbate economic decline in areas like St. Paul already facing commercial real estate challenges.
X posts express concerns that city-specific bans merely shift scam activities to neighboring areas, echoing the dissenting council member's view but adding perspectives on regional displacement and the need for statewide regulations.
Users on X criticize the broader cryptocurrency industry's lack of ethics, viewing kiosks as tools for fraud rather than legitimate investment, and connect this to a rising 'crypto crime wave' affecting diverse demographics beyond just local reports.
Demographic insights from X and related sources note that crypto users are predominantly young males (18-34 years old), suggesting the ban primarily impacts casual or scam-vulnerable users rather than serious investors, a nuance missing from mainstream coverage.

Based on 2 sources

Twin Cities by Frederick Melo November 19, 2025

New information:

Ordinance adopted 6–1 by the St. Paul City Council on Nov. 19, 2025
Council Member Anika Bowie cast the sole 'no' vote; she argued a ban shifts the problem to neighboring cities
Council Members Saura Jost and Cheniqua Johnson cited presentations on scams as influential; Council President Rebecca Noecker led the push
Article reiterates scope: at least 32 kiosks in St. Paul and 51 scam reports totaling ~$700,000 statewide
Stillwater’s earlier ban drew a lawsuit from Bitcoin Depot; a Bitcoin Depot representative spoke in St. Paul but did not signal legal action at the hearing

Twin Cities by Maya Bell November 14, 2025