St. Paul bans cryptocurrency kiosks; Bitcoin Depot sues to overturn ordinance
On Nov. 19 the St. Paul City Council adopted a 6–1 ordinance, led by Council President Rebecca Noecker, banning cryptocurrency kiosks citywide — a move Council Members Saura Jost and Cheniqua Johnson said was prompted by presentations on scams, with the city home to at least 32 kiosks and Minnesota reporting 51 kiosk-related scams totaling about $700,000; Council Member Anika Bowie cast the lone dissenting vote, saying a ban would simply shift the problem to neighboring cities. Bitcoin Depot, which had spoken at the St. Paul hearing and previously sued over Stillwater’s similar ban, has now filed suit seeking to block enforcement of St. Paul’s ordinance, arguing it is preempted by state or federal law and unlawfully interferes with its business.
📌 Key Facts
- On Nov. 19, 2025 the St. Paul City Council adopted an ordinance banning cryptocurrency kiosks citywide in a 6–1 vote.
- Council Member Anika Bowie cast the sole no vote, arguing a ban would shift the problem to neighboring cities.
- Council President Rebecca Noecker led the push for the ban; Council Members Saura Jost and Cheniqua Johnson said presentations about scams influenced their support.
- The ordinance affects at least 32 kiosks in St. Paul; statewide authorities have received 51 scam reports tied to kiosks totaling about $700,000.
- An earlier ban in Stillwater prompted a lawsuit from Bitcoin Depot; a Bitcoin Depot representative spoke at the St. Paul hearing but did not signal legal action at that time.
- On Dec. 30, 2025 Bitcoin Depot filed a lawsuit challenging St. Paul’s Nov. 19 ordinance.
- Bitcoin Depot’s complaint contends the ban is preempted by state or federal law and unlawfully interferes with a lawful business model; the company asks the court to block enforcement of the ordinance and restore its ability to operate kiosks in the city.
📊 Relevant Data
Americans over the age of 60 lost $2.8 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2024, facing the greatest financial risk in the crypto ecosystem despite comprising approximately 24% of the U.S. population.
Crypto Crime Report: 2025 Statistics & Trends — CoinLedger
Scammers obtained more than $333 million from Bitcoin ATM scams in the United States in 2025.
Scammers notched $333 million from bitcoin ATM scams in 2025, FBI says — ABC News
Cryptocurrency ATM scams particularly target older adults, as scammers exploit digital asset kiosks to defraud individuals in this demographic group.
Crypto ATM Scams: Don't Let Fraudsters Drain Your Wallet — DFPI
Money fed into a cryptocurrency ATM is nearly impossible to recover, making these machines attractive for scammers due to the irreversible nature of transactions.
Minnesota cities target crypto ATMs — Axios Twin Cities
In Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, scammers have targeted elderly residents using phishing techniques to steal tens of thousands of dollars via cryptocurrency scams.
Protecting elderly citizens from crypto scams in Brooklyn Park — TRM Labs
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Bitcoin Depot, a large crypto ATM network, has filed a lawsuit against the City of St. Paul over its November 19 ordinance banning cryptocurrency kiosks citywide.
- The suit argues that St. Paul’s ban is preempted by state or federal law and unlawfully interferes with an otherwise legal business model (details depend on the complaint’s wording).
- The case seeks to block enforcement of St. Paul’s ordinance and restore Bitcoin Depot’s ability to operate kiosks in the city.
- 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