Louisiana New Regulations Take Effect: Can a $3,000 Limit and 72-Hour Cooling-Off Period Prevent Bitcoin ATM Scams

Louisiana officially introduces new laws targeting Bitcoin ATM scams, signaling a new development in U.S. cryptocurrency regulation. The new regulations implement measures such as mandatory warning labels, daily deposit limits, and a cooling-off period, directly addressing the frequent scams targeting the elderly in recent years. The U.S. Department of Justice has recovered over $200,000 in assets from related scams, including 1.9 Bitcoins and 60,139 USDT.

Elderly People Become the Main Target of Bitcoin ATM Scams

According to law enforcement disclosures, scammers use quite routine methods. They impersonate government officials or bank staff, intimidate victims through scripted phone calls, claiming their accounts are involved in criminal activities, and threaten arrest if payments are not made immediately via cryptocurrency. This “intimidation scam” has become one of the main fraud methods targeting the elderly.

Victims are lured to Bitcoin ATMs and guided remotely by scammers to complete transfers. Due to the irreversible nature of cryptocurrency transactions, once funds enter the scammer’s wallet, recovery is extremely difficult. Multiple elderly residents in Louisiana, Texas, and Minnesota have fallen victim to such scams.

Three Core Measures of the New Regulations

The new law sets specific requirements for Bitcoin ATM operations:

The 72-hour cooling-off period is considered the most critical measure. This window gives victims the opportunity to verify information, consult family members, or contact law enforcement, enabling them to detect scams before funds are truly transferred out. This design draws on traditional financial risk control experience and adapts it into a protective mechanism suitable for cryptocurrency.

Law Enforcement Achievements and Policy Signals

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice and the Cyber Crime Division of the Secret Service, have jointly recovered over $200,000 in crypto assets from scam cases. This not only provides partial compensation for victims but also sends a clear signal to the market: cryptocurrencies are not outside the law, and financial scams targeting the elderly will face increased regulation and enforcement.

This initiative is significant in the context of U.S. crypto policy in 2026. It indicates a shift from “laissez-faire” to “protection,” especially regarding consumer rights. Compared to previous ambiguous attitudes toward cryptocurrencies, current policies explicitly state: cryptocurrencies can exist, but must be accompanied by appropriate security measures and regulatory frameworks.

Summary

Louisiana’s new regulations reflect three key shifts: first, moving from passive response to scams to proactively setting technological barriers; second, shifting focus from protecting market participants to specifically safeguarding vulnerable groups; third, transitioning from mere law enforcement recovery to systemic prevention. Although a $3,000 daily limit may impact normal user experience and the 72-hour cooling-off period could reduce transaction efficiency, from a scam prevention perspective, the benefits outweigh the costs.

Future developments to watch include whether other states will follow suit and how Bitcoin ATM operators will respond to these new regulations. The implementation of this law will directly influence the regulatory direction of cryptocurrency ATMs in other parts of the United States.