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