Australian authorities have added a series of new regulations on crypto ATM operators in the country. These new regulations include enhanced compliance requirements as well as a cash transaction limit. All of this is done in order to provide more protection to the users as well as crack down on the financial crimes surrounding crypto.

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (AUSTRAC) made a statement this morning. In the statement, new rules mandated that all withdrawals and cash deposits now have a cap of 5,000 Australian dollars (approx. USD 3,250) per transaction at crypto ATMs. It was also announced that all ATM machines must display prominent scam warning messages to inform users of potential fraud risks.

Australia Places Cash Limits on Crypto ATMs

Brendan Thomas, CEO of AUSTRAC, said in a statement, “These conditions are designed to help protect individuals from scams and businesses from criminal exploitation. We consider it absolutely necessary to ensure the sector meets minimum standards and reduces the criminal misuse of crypto ATMs.”

The new stricter regulations were imposed after AUSTRAC investigated the data taken from nine ATM operators. The data revealed that users above the age of 50 were most affected by scams, which accounted for nearly 72% of the total transaction value. Almost 30% of the users were between the ages of 60 and 70.

After this investigation, AUSTRAC revoked the registration of Harro’s Empires operator due to continued non-compliance and misuse. The agency has warned that any crypto exchange or ATM provider failing to meet their obligations under Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Act could face similar consequences.

Authorities also highlighted that many victims of scams were directed to use cryptocurrency ATMs to send funds, often without their knowledge. The statement noted that some Australians have lost their life savings because of these scams.

In partnership with the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3), AUSTRAC is rolling out educational materials near ATMs to raise awareness of scam tactics, warning signs, and how to report suspicious activity.

The regulations are now in place as the use of crypto ATMs continues to surge nationwide. From just 23 machines in 2019, Australia now has over 1,800 crypto ATMs processing nearly 150,000 transactions annually, moving an estimated AUD 275 million in cash, primarily into Bitcoin, Tether, and Ether. In a separate report also released on June 3, the Australian Federal Police disclosed that over 150 scam-related cases involving crypto ATMs had been recorded between January 2024 and January 2025, with losses exceeding AUD 3.1 million. Authorities believe the real figure is likely higher due to underreporting.

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