A congressman from Texas has suggested putting cryptocurrency ATMs in federal buildings across the U.S. He says these machines could help teach people about digital money.
Crypto ATMs as a Learning Tool
Lance Gooden, a Republican and supporter of former President Donald Trump, wrote a letter on May 1 to the government agency that looks after federal buildings, called the General Services Administration (GSA).
In the letter, he asked them to think about how they could allow crypto ATMs—machines that let people buy or sell digital money like Bitcoin—in public buildings. He believes these machines could be used to help people learn how cryptocurrencies work.
Gooden has not reported owning any crypto or working with crypto companies since he became a congressman in 2019.
Can the Government Approve Crypto ATMs?
The GSA manages government buildings and office spaces. It does allow regular bank ATMs, like those from credit unions, but it’s not clear if it has the power to allow crypto ATMs from private companies.
Also, some experts say the plan might need a law from Congress to use public buildings and money for this kind of project.
Trump’s Crypto Involvement Raises Questions
Former President Donald Trump has been involved in crypto in many ways. He’s invested in it, used it in his campaigns, and has a meme coin called TRUMP.
In April, Trump even held a private dinner in Washington, D.C. for people who own a lot of his coin. This makes some people wonder if crypto rules might be influenced by politics.
Other Lawmakers Want Stricter Crypto Rules
At the same time, other lawmakers are pushing for more rules to stop scams that use crypto ATMs. In February, Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois introduced a bill called the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act.
He says the goal is to protect people—especially older Americans—from getting tricked by scammers using these machines. There have been many reports of fraud, where people are told to put money into a crypto ATM and unknowingly send it to criminals.
A Bigger Debate: Innovation vs. Safety
Gooden wants more crypto ATMs in public places to help people learn. Durbin wants stronger protections to stop scams. This shows the larger debate in the U.S. right now: How do we support new technology like crypto, while also keeping people safe?
