A total of 35 fraud victims have finally recovered their money, totaling $171,332. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced this full refund on August 12, 2026. These funds were recovered thanks to the enforcement of House Bill 2387, a regulation that pressures crypto ATM operators to cover losses incurred by new customers who fall victim to scams.
The law, which went into effect on September 26, 2025, defines a new customer as a user whose transaction history with the respective operator is under 10 days. Victims are required to contact both the operator and law enforcement within 30 days of the transaction. The rule sets strict daily limits: new customers are restricted to a maximum transaction of $2,000, while the limit for existing customers is capped at $10,500.
Diverging from the National Trend
Arizona’s approach is contrary to the reaction of the majority of states in the United States. As fraud rates surged, many jurisdictions chose the shortcut of banning operations. Minnesota and Indiana took extreme measures by completely banning all crypto ATMs from operating within their borders. Tennessee followed with a similar ban, while Georgia implemented operational restrictions. Elsewhere, a Missouri prosecutor even went as far as suing CoinFlip, one of the largest machine providers.
Arizona took a different stance. They established a regulatory model paired with restitution obligations, refusing a total ban on the industry. The security burden has now shifted to the operators, who are required to run 24-hour customer support services with a toll-free number. Operators must also equip their machines with blockchain analytics systems to detect scam digital wallets and print physical transaction receipts for every purchase.
Three Hundred Million Dollars in Losses
Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) highlights the reason behind this national panic. Throughout 2025, the bureau received over 13,400 complaints related to crypto ATM crimes. Total victim losses crossed the $388 million mark, surging 58% from the previous year’s record. The same report revealed that the elderly are prime targets, with more than half of the fraud victims aged over 50.
For other states, forcing machines to shut down is considered the easiest solution to cut down on complaints from elderly residents. Arizona proves that strict oversight can guarantee the safety of vulnerable users without sacrificing public access to crypto. For the 35 people whose wallets were replenished today, this regulatory safety net has proven to work.
Reported from crypto.news.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
