Crypto ATMs were just banned in New Zealand: Here’s why it matters

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New Zealand’s financial watchdog outlawed crypto ATMs, citing regulatory gaps and AML concerns and raising questions about retail access and compliance.

On July 17, 2025, New Zealand’s government made a defining move in its ongoing battle against financial crime: It announced a nationwide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs. 

The decision, spearheaded by Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, is part of a sweeping reform of the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. 

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