STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — After dozens of residents were steered into cryptocurrency scams this year, Sterling Heights officials say it’s time to put guardrails around the machines scammers rely on.

City Council members will consider a new ordinance regulating cryptocurrency kiosks, including Bitcoin ATMs, after police linked at least 23 fraud cases this year to the machines. Victims have lost more than $542,000, with seniors making up the majority of cases.

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Police Chief Andrew Satterfield said scammers often pressure victims into depositing cash at crypto kiosks, where funds are nearly impossible to recover.

“We’re trying to protect our citizens the best we can by creating an ordinance that regulates some of the ways these scams occur,” Satterfield said.

The proposal would require licensing for machine operators and host businesses, daily transaction limits for new users, on-site staff, visible fraud warnings, and access to customer service.

City leaders acknowledge scammers may adapt, but say doing nothing is no longer an option.