Sponsor says virtual-currency kiosks are a fraud vector; bill would add guardrails for operators

Representative Clauston described House Bill 75 as a "common-sense" consumer-protection measure aimed at virtual-currency kiosks (often called Bitcoin ATMs). Clauston said law-enforcement and victim-advocacy groups alerted him to a rising number of scams tied to the machines that allow rapid, mostly irreversible transfers.

"In my county alone, $3,000,000 was lost last year to fraud using these machines," Clauston told the chamber, and he stressed the bill was not anti-technology but designed to "distinguish responsible, legitimate operators from those that are robbing Wyoming residents." Clauston said the measure includes transparency requirements, warnings and accountability mechanisms to make it harder for bad actors to use kiosks for fraud, trafficking or other illicit activity.

No members rose to oppose on the floor, and the clerk recorded a roll-call introduction (59 aye, 2 no, 1 excused). House Bill 75 was referred to committee number 3 (Revenue) for further hearings and possible amendments. Committee review will determine exact regulatory measures and any enforcement or licensing framework.

Provenance: Sponsor remarks and the roll-call introduction appear in the House transcript for Feb. 10.