Bitcoin Forum

A man in California has agreed to plead guilty to operating an illegal bitcoin ATM network that exchanged up to $25 million, according to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement on Wednesday.

Kais Mohammad, 36, who goes by the digital moniker  “Superman29,” was charged in the United States District Court on three counts: for operating an unlicensed money exchange business, for money laundering and for not being able to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program.

He purchased Bitcoin ATM-type kiosks which were placed in malls, gas stations and convenience stores in several California counties. These kiosks allowed customers to buy and sell Bitcoin in exchange for cash. Mohammad supplied the machines with cash that customers could withdraw and maintained the server software to keep the kiosks running

https://www.theblockcrypto.com/linked/72697/doj-california-bitcoin-atm

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We live in amazing times. To be honest, this is the first time I've heard about illegal Bitcoin ATMs. Now Muhammad can get 30 years in prison for illegal mass adoption.

I wonder what will happen to ATMs and what is their number, I hope the state will appropriate it and allow people to use them with reduced commissions.  ;D

Wot. This dude managed to get some kiosks in freakin malls without a business license? I'm not even mad, that's impressive.. impressive how the malls have been so careless to the point that they conducted business with some dude without a license.

I really don't know what this dude was thinking though. Did he really expect to not get caught? I would understand if he did everything online, but we're talking about physical bitcoin ATMs. Literally thousands of people pass by those ATMs by the daily LOL.

Well, he did allegedly help to launder up to 25M$ through his Bitcoin ATM network. Apparently, an undercover agent managed to purchase 14,500$ at a given ATM during September 2018, failing the ATM owner to file the necessary reports for the sums. If that was not enough, he also transacted similar amounts with some other undercover agents in person (allegedly workers from a "karaoke bar" that went the extra mile for their customers), also failing to file the necessary reports. Twice shy ...

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/oc-man-admits-operating-unlicensed-atm-network-laundered-millions-dollars-bitcoin-and

The problem is not the illegal mass adoption but the fact that he chose to look away which is what they are going to use to hang him and he might go away for a long time or maybe pay one huge fine. From the posts earlier, its obvious that this is an action that have been planned that he has dealt with undercover agents without taking proper precautions. From the way I see it, its two major charges

1. Operating illegal money shop like not having a business license to operate which would likely to pay a fine then close the business and maybe even go to jail for a shorter time and

2. The money laundering charges which is the most important part because he simply fail to do KYCs by looking the other way when his customers came to transact business. Yes he has done his part in bringing some publicity to the crypto world, but things needs to be done the right way to avoid problem with the authorities.

Not only the dude should lick the walls of prison bars but also the agent or the person in charge for whatever means that he bought the ATM machine.
However, I was a little confused by the title coming as illegal ATM. I thought the ATM itself was fake and scamming users but now I understand that it is the process of acquisition that was illegal.

Common, nobody would pay 25% just for privacy, even if we speak of sums above 1k it was worth the effort to go in another city and deal with a different ATM. And why did he kept meeting clients..


Common, he thought that just playing possum would be enough?
He was plain stupid, he should have simply disbanded his business at that time and try his luck with a new company, new guy in charge...


I don't know what the laws are in the US but here it's pretty easy to install almost any kind of teller machine in malls, since it's a private company running it they will simply lend you the space needed, you just need a registered company and that's all, nobody will do extended checks on you,  like a fincen compliant check. They are happy to take your money as long as your machines don't interfere too much with the shop activity. Besides he started his business well back in 2014, probably got them set up years ago when rules were much much lax.


Nice clickbait, right? Got me too!!

this is not the first time to be honest with you. there has been multiple other cases. it seems like some people think just because bitcoin is decentralized and doesn't need any license to be used, they can also run a bitcoin ATM without any license or stuff like that.
here is a case from 2018 in India as an example:
https://www.news18.com/news/india/indias-first-bitcoin-atm-seized-owner-arrested-for-illegal-kiosk-1918235.html

While reading the article, the same questions occurred to me. It's just a matter of time before you get caught while carrying out such machinations in the United States.
I think there is every chance that he will make a deal with the investigation, given that he had connections with criminals. So maybe his prison term will be reduced. But I doubt that he will live to old age.


I have no doubt that such precedents have already existed, especially in such a country of opportunities as India, but this news passed me by.

I don't see anything wrong over here. That dude was operating an exchange without a license. He would have gotten it if he has applied for it. Not sure why he didn't. Maybe he probably wasn't aware? Or he was aware and was up to something.
I hope he gets a proper justice if he is wasn't aware and has no ill intention. But, if he does had some ill intentions, he is going to get screwed under the money laundering law.

For me this is also something I hear of for the first time but I can't say I'm surprised. You're right, just because Bitcoin is decentralized and independent many think that everything is allowed and that Bitcoin are its related services are out of any kind of law and regulation. Of.course that it's not true but some people ignore it and that is why Bitcoin is often involved in different illegal or half illegal activities.

I think if it was just a license problem the sentence wouldn't be so tough. The point is that he was being investigated for a long time already and federal agents collected irrefutable evidences of his awareness about money laundering when dealing crypto currency with his customers.
He also admited that, like we can see on the link below:

Federal intelligence seems to be very attentive to crypto businesses. If someone is willing to work on this field it's better to follow all the government's requirements, especially the ones regard money laundering practice.

To be fair, I'm quite amazed how the dude managed to get his 'business' across several key places without having a license. It's not really a case against bitcoin but rather a case against operating and facilitating money exchanges without having the proper license to do so. Also, 30 years isn't really the number of years a person must serve due to licenses; his offense must be more than that to receive a punishment that heavy. Operating a bitcoin ATM is far too risky without having the proper licenses since you are always on the watchful eye of the government for money laundering and whatnot. I don't see anything wrong here, really, and applying for a license should have saved his ass if he really wanted to continue this kind of business.

Well, you know malls these days ain't what they used to be, and who knows what kind of management they have now.  Sounds like there were some seriously careless managers at those malls if they allowed this dude to install all those ATMs. 

And I don't know “Superman29” was simply attempting to offer bitcoin ATM services or not, but if he was he was extremely careless as well.  He had to have known there were regulatory hoops to jump through before setting those things up....but who knows. 

No kidding.  Thirty years in prison is no joke for not going through the proper channels--but I suspect he won't serve anywhere near that amount of time, depending on how good his lawyer is.

Oh oh! Another Bitcoin related crime.


I think he refused to be further investigated and that's where the problem came from. The article says he did somehow complied when Fincen contacted this person to register his company, but deliberately fail to fully comply with the said federal laws. That means he was constantly investigated for operating for such a long period of time without any license to operate his business.

He might have made a good offer to this malls. ATM machines only occupies a very small portion of floor area in the malls. So, I guess the mall management won't dig deeper on your legalities and papers to install your machine if you pay more for the rent.




I think he made enough money to get the best lawyer lol.  :D

It's quite fair though to punish the guy for running an entire chain of ATMs without a license, I mean it's nothing compared to the abuses and unfair sentences given in some of the crypto cases. If the guy is guilty, let him serve his sentence. This doesn't hinder the ATM (and Bitcoin) expansion at all, it's not like he was legally running the chain of bancomats.

Guess all those places should be penalized as well for letting this happen as well..

People tries to make money out of each and everything associated with bitcoin. Anyhow he hasn't scammed the people, until then it's good. Now this could've been a big loss for the government as no taxes paid. This guy is truly intelligent, because he has been running more number of ATM with perfect functionalities. This is like illegal slot Machines that are placed on the African countries.

Yes, I thought he scammed people but it was his fault that he did not acquire permits and licenses to operate this business. He should know better as this is very prominent to the eyes especially with authorities. So someone will really notice this business, and now is the time to uncover the foundation of his business. Maybe, just pay what he owed to the government up to the last cent and get license and he can still operate the business.

Damn man has balls of steel. He should've gotten warning signs when he registered but failed to comply in 2018. He could've gone under for a bit of time and proceeded to continue after a period of time has passed. Well, not like I know how investigations go though. Still, it's pretty fair for him to get punished, his illegal activities have been ongoing for ~5 years after all. If the guy still got away even after doing that openly for 5 years, then I suppose investigative units should just quit their jobs.

Then technically, shouldn't the malls also be fined or something? I mean, they were technically part of illegal activity, whether it is voluntary or not. Plus, it wasn't only malls but convenience stores and gas stations.

I mean, yea. I wasn't expecting compliance checks, but at the very least they should've at least checked for a company registration document. I'd let it pass for the smaller convenience stores and probably the less-commercial gas stations too, but freakin malls lmao.

This reminds me of an office that I visited back then somewhere in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It was last year. My friend and I have visited her business contact, and he showed to us his various Bitcoin ATMs. I asked him if these Bitcoin ATMs are already registered and regulated for massive adoption, but he said it was still "under process", so it was not yet licensed to operate in various public establishments.

It's very essential for a Bitcoin ATM to be registered with proper license even if it's decentralized. Although licensing fees costs us a lot, it's way better than just doing massive adoption in an illegal way. Like Forsage right now, they are massively adopting Ethereum in an illegal way.

The term illegal means using unlawful activity, providing forged business licence also fall under this category.

I am pretty sure he might have also shown forged business license to the managers of these Malls plus a small percentage from the revenue generated by the kiosk.

Without the involvement of bribe and commission, you cannot operate illegal business so easily.

Oh we have it here? I haven't seen one as of now. I think that under process atm also means it won't be registered. Our country doesn't even care about crypto right now, I haven't heard of a news about illegal btc atm. I just thought officials here doesn't care about it. If they care tho, I'm still sure officials here would look the other way if the owner is somehow powerful. Or even get a percent of money out of it.

Its a serious case cause he already admitted he is aware some of the money really came from crime activities. So its really a case of money laundering.

I am not sure if this guy is thinking straight, spending that huge money for the business without knowing the legalities of what he is doing.
The intention was good if it's for mass adoption but we know the eyes of the regulators are always looking into us, especially in this case that ATMs were put in public players.

Damn, 30 years of imprisonment if proven guilty, I think that's something he will regret for the rest of his life.

Illegal mass adoption sounds funny but this could be really harmful for the industry

Criminals can pay 25% for laundering their money, but this scheme of his doesn't look like a good money laundering. Just because you bought or sold some Bitcoin, it doesn't make these money clean, especially if it's at an unlicensed exchange. There's no front here, it's just conversion from one currency to another.

It's also my first time I've heard about illegal bitcoin ATM machines. And to think he put it up in malls. I am just wondering, ofcourse he can afford to get some legal licenses for making a crypto exchanges and ATM btc machines. Why not process in a legal way if it's a matter of money, I surely know he can afford it. This is something that I was vague upon understanding his decisions. Thus, making me a conclusion that it was just a front for his illegal activities like that of money laundering.

Malls are built to make money and they are concerned with how much money they can make within the space they have. Other than the shops that they would likely go a long way of doing some verifications and the likes, any other use of space are interpreted as alternative income which they would always encouraged themselves to always maximize. Places such as walkways, underneath the stairs, parking spaces etc are some of those places that there is little or no control whatsoever which I believe the guy in question must have take advantage of.

But with this, if the authority can make them share in the liability or shake them a little bit, they would surely sit up and ask for the right documentations before granting approvals.

He made a business but is not licensed. How come he thinks of putting up various bitcoin ATMs in public places without thinking of the consequences of not having a license to do so? Now, he's getting sentenced for it. It's his fault after all. And it's also stated in the article that he's fully aware that some of the funds are from illegal activities. Perhaps it's the reason why he can't get licensed with it but still continue to operate ATMs.

He still chooses to do it so he's responsible for the consequences. It's essential for businesses (not only bitcoin ATMs) to have their permit and license before operating. He will probably regret it but he can't undo what he did.

I don't understand why the formulation is 'has agreed to plead guilty'. It's like he's not really guilty, but was convinced to say that he is. I'm sure that there are Bitcoin ATMs installed and operating legally in the US, and if he did not comply with the regulations, he is indeed guilty. 30 years of prison would be too much, though. I think that for crimes like that (money laundering, tax evasion and similar) there should be big fines, not prison sentences. He didn't abuse the rights of any human beings.
I don't like this particular guy, though, because charging 25% in fees is just crazy.

This is the first time I've heard of anyone messing with ATM's.  I guess as the saying goes if there's a will there's a way.  It's unfortunate because I'm guessing some people now might be hesitant to take our bitcoins via ATMS going foward.

I usually wondered how Bitcoin atm in other part of the world operates. Most/many without license?
Well, this is one of the issues I consider whenever the thought of encouraging people to try the bitcoin atm or even Bitcoin PoS comes. I guess they should make the licensing easy to obtain depending on the volume of transaction a business would handle.

But he pleaded guilty so this case could go down as well. How settlement on this OP is it still possible?? I know there were news here regarding bitcoin atm but did the owner knows nothing about how to run a business? He was successful in marketing but it never did it come to his mind about his doings that is clearly an illegal and worst is that the case has high punishment.

So, to all who had plan to do a business make an inquiry first to a government agency before operating a business. Usually license is a must to serve and protect both consumers and the business owner.

More intriguing thing is that there isn't any data or any transaction records of the people who purchased the bitcoins from these bitcoin ATMs and this just laughs on the face of AML laws, this shows the real power of bitcoin as to taking the finance in our hands, This man is really a legend to have done such a gutsy job.

If you have to do any kind of business, especially for exchanging money, you need to have a License in most parts of the world, even the money exchangers near the airports of every major city also require license to exchange the money of the tourists. Obtaining a license in those countries where bitcoin and crypto isn't legal yet is going to be bit of a problematic task, but if the demand is good then it will be worth the hustle.

Since only few Bitcoin ATM are present in my country, it is really hard to convince one to try it especially if its too far from our area, though it's quite convincing to others telling them that there is some Bitcoin ATM available now. There is also a specific bank that accepts crypto now that makes it more attractive, its a known bank also which many who knows crypto are wanting to use it too. We're hoping soon that many establishments accept it but in legal process to secure people's money.

People should learn to always abide by the laws of the land to avoid clashing with the government. The government and the banks have been skeptical about bitcoin and cryptocurrency, therefore proper legal work must be done and complied with to avoid been on the government radar.

how did he even persuaded them at the mall to operate an ATM without any business registration and License ? there could be more to this. It is amazing that US is recognizing crypto as a form of money but operating an bitcoin ATM business is just like owning a crypto exchange platform which need to be registered in a country of interest. Operating such an illegal business stance a chance of being  paraded by criminals who can be involved in money laundering

Why he didn't cooperate with the government of California and get all needed requirement before putting up his bitcoin ATM machines so that it will not become illegal. It was a frustrating experience for Kais Mohammad and frustrating bitcoin mass adoption on that country.

These are the people that are sending bad signal trying to paint cryppto currency and blockchain business as illegal. Doing the right thing with a wrong method and wrong place will turn a good business as economic crime. He should have find out if the state financial law permits the installation of BTC ATM and whether Crypto currency transaction is legal. 30 yrs in the cool will re set his brain. Thanks for the info Bro.

Countries have different regulations for ATM even though bitcoin and cryptos are legal there, even in India it is literally not possible to have bitcoin ATM at the moment.So anyone who wants to have their own bitcoin ATM should take the legal advice from someone who knows the laws well to avoid such kind of scenario in their life.

I guess you could just put a bitcoin ATM at anyplace  ;D, and sure no one is going to notice if it is a legitimate ATM or a licensed one.

Until someone from the government probably inspects the ATM and find out that it is not registered. Might be a clever way to do some money laundering and scam some bitcoin from the community.

its a shining gold for authorities these days since they already know how much money there is in BTC. it would be noticed and it gets unlucky if the undercover proves the business is illegal. its fascinating how much he had achieved though with no legal documents to his business.

don't you think his business could turn into legal if the guy has a christian name like JAMES than Mohammad?

Such high fees wouldn't even be worth it for someone who wanted to avoid taxation.

 If you're willing to pay that much you have to be running a large illegal operation involving drugs, stolen property and such.

For me 10% would seem like a suspiciously high fee.

he only wants mass adoption and now he is going to jail , thats sad but its also its fault . he have the ability to buy several units of atm's that can be able to transacts thousands of dollar but he doesnt come to his mind that what could be doing is already illegal  because of lack of knowledge in terms of operating a kind of business like this  .

 i dont know what will happen to the atm's left but authorities can make use of it again and make it more legal under thier own  hands

People fears mostly the cost of the registration fee and charges for operating Bitcoin ATM machine in your shopping malls, cryptocurrency from first angle is a decentralized network but using ATM without much governmental undergoing is such an illegal drugs taken. At OP, for kiost to have generated $25 million is a great start and indirectly promoting the important of bitcoin and it's mass adoption.

That's like an illegal operation, there's no way anything that is not legal can attract mass adoption, that would be risky to everyone and they are not willing to take that risk. How unfortunate he is, if his intention was clean, then he wished he didn't do such thing as according to the news, if he plead guilty, he will be facing a 30 years imprisonment.  The case is more focus not on the non licensed operation but on its effect that it could be use for money laundering.

;D

I think even here in my countries something like this could easily be executed.

You could just put this fake ATM at some small businesses and probably you could just pay them a small fees to put ATM near in small business.

Even some legitmate ATM could easily be find anywhere so nobody really is going to doubt it if it is registered or not.

For me?i don't care if this is illegal or legal what is important here is the service he gave for the bitcoin users,He only fool the government but this helps the community in a good manner.

and also he helps other people to learn about what bitcoin is and Good or bad publicity is still publicity so we all here benefits from His action right?
Yups this leak is authorities mistake because the man did the business inside public and private properties so they must be aware for the first place.

This is a sad story, because the guy could have used quite other ways and that too legally rather than doing this illegal stuff and now what has happened is that he has ruined his life and of the loved ones.  This also does not create a good image for the bitcoin as people consider that all illegal stuff happens related to it which is not right as well.

Before doing anything you should always check first the corresponding
laws behind it.
There's always a say ignorance of the law is never an excused, you'll
suffer the consequence as always.


It only reflect like that to people who didn't understand bitcoin to the fullest
as for those who knows this investment currency,
that won't happened as they know what really bitcoin is, and how bitcoin works
as opportunities to earn.

It's kinda surprising and amazing how an ordinary person has been able to buy kiosk and Bitcoin ATM machine and have placed it on public places with no one at first hand noticing it happened. Although the intention is clear that it is to create mass promotion and adaption of using Bitcoin, there is a law that he bypass although there are already Bitcoin ATM machines around. Maybe it just looks illegal on how he have executed his intentions since we have a law to follow. But it was still amazing how this man is really wanting to have mass adaptation of using Bitcoin but he just messed up and have done it on an illegal way.

I think he is aware of it that it is illegal but I guess he is just a business minded individual to that only after for gains or profit. So, this is now the result of his activity. However I admire his courage knowing that he pleaded guilty on the case. Hopefully that he can just make a settlment for all of his wrong doings so as to get another chance to live life better than in prison. We all know that a prison is not likely to live with.

I Don't tolerate illegal works because for me it is against the rule of government and also God.

But what this man did?is really amazing as he wanted bitcoin to be adopted(and of course he wanted to gain much profit)
Doing such action is really not a good idea but this is for the benefits of the whole community here in crypto.

But anyway this must  be given action by the government because Rule is rule.

But congrats to HIm he made a good job for crypto people lol.

Have you read the news in full?

This person is not entirely ordinary. He organized an underground cryptocurrency exchange with a commission of 25%, and money laundering is associated with this.
In other words, he is a businessman who does not shy away from getting his hands dirty. It is possible that he laundered drug money.

For me my own opinion here is the made mistakes,He did not obey the Laws and he must be sentenced but this is too long,30 years?while in South Korea the Scammers that gain more than 200Million dolars and you can check it here



https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-scammer-sentenced-by-south-korean-authorities

comparing the years of sentence and the amount involved?i believe that this is not fair.

Muhammad has capital while these scammers only lure and take money from people.

Both of them committing a crime and they hold liabilities on this. Maybe we could say it was unfair as scammer only sentenced for a shorter time but considering that they are in a different country and that will depend on their discretion. If this only happen of the same country (US), I may think also that scammers will be sentenced for life (pretty bad isn't it).

It could be sure that this is not the first that Muhammad doing this illegalities( money laundering). The ony problem is that why malls allow this illegalities to run besides, license is a must before we are allow to operate?
Well, can't imagine how money will talks.

The koreans were not named Mohammad. Your name being Mohammad adds up the years.
The man running the bitcoin ATM was not registered anywhere and was using cash from undisclosed sources. He was not just running an illegal business but was also laundering money for others. And with the suggestive name, he might have also been involved in funding of terrorism from the US.

Lol it was clearly said in the link that without government allowing him to operate meaning this is Illegal and you know that now.
I don't think thats indeed mate,The name is Mohammad  sounds muslim meaning it is the reason why the sentence were x10 compared to that Korean?

anyway The Laws applied in US is Far from what Korean government has.

It is because not all people is knowledgeable about bitcoin and those bitcoin ATMs. They don't mind if that ATM is legal and have a license. It is only an adoption for himself and for the bitcoin itself. If we continue doing this kind of mistakes, then the government will really and continuously not trust bitcoin.

I think that he is aware about his own mistake that you will place a bitcoin ATMs publicly and he got caught because that's obvious. I know that he is aware about the rules and regulations before he place kiosks in that public mall but he just managed to deal with it even without a licensed and that's a very bad move for him.

There are many stories like that. People were mining in data centers, power plants, even nuclear institutes.


No. He goes to jail for not registering a business. You have to do it every time when you run a big operation like that. You can maybe avoid it when you sell hotdogs on a sidewalk but for a million dollar operation?

The fact that he operated an illegal cryptocurrency exchange kiosks is a red flag in itself, the fact that he operated at malls without the proper permit and paperworks is an indication that he has a web of connections. The feat he did is not something to be condemned, this is something that can amaze you like the Jordan Belfort story, to be clear this is not something that should be followed but rather serve as a cautionary tale to anyone that mass adoption is a taxing work to do. The money laundering is very likely in my opinion because that is the most presenting oppurtunity when you are doing an illegal cryptocurrency exchange.

Not a very common story when the guy is a police officer.

There wouldn't really have confiscation and jailing if he just acquire some business permit for his ATMs to operate. He has the money to pay for it so he can do it legally but he just really can't deny that he has no plans of doing it that authorities has to stop him.

The mistake lies in illegal actions, from not having a permit, and at the same time helping with laundering in the absence of KYC. If he operated correctly in entrepreneurship and of course making the permit would be fine. It can't be helped, it's already the law in force in the country concerned. This made me interested in how the ATM works.

That's why OP called it illegal mass adoption, lol..

The operation was illegal, that's the reason why the owner was arrested, maybe he doesn't know about the negative effect of the operation, just thinking of the positive things which is adoption and the profit as well. But he has surely now awaken and learn from his mistake as this world, ignorance of the law is not an excuse, but hopefully he will get convicted, he won't be persecuted for that long.

To the point where he did not acquire required licenses for projects that concerned finance that is run by financial agencies, and regulatory bodies, on that and those accounts i can say 'he is giulty' but for operating bitcoin kind of transaction, i will not say he is guilty as there is nothing as illegal in mass adoption except the goverment has a ban on the technlgy

An amazing story. America is truly a land of opportunity. If he thought of this, I'm sure someone else is doing the same.

I wonder what the real number of illegal bitcoin ATMs in America is, and where it come from. It have to be produced somewhere and the system adjusted, or they buy it on the gray market.

I agree with you that it shows the types of opportunities there are and that can be created where there's potential, though this is not a prime example. This would have been a great business had the person dealt with the regulations diligently. The fact that there was no licence in place makes me wonder whether the malls were part of this entire operation.

As for the guy, there's no way he wasn't aware of the wrongdoing. However, I'm not so sure if prison would be an appropriate choice - I hope not, or at least not for a long time. As I believe nobody deserves to be thrown in prison and be forgotten when in the end we only have one precious life to live.

Parents should be held liable also for not guiding the right way of their children. This one is an example so if there is any problem with him it start with his parents. Though this kid is not yet in legal age but in due time when he had reach the legal then he will going to face the consequences he has been doing. Wether we like it or not no one is above the law and ignorance of the law is not an exuse. So, for tha kid he may had a brighter future ahead but unfortunately it is not now after facing this problem. Prisonment is one of the real struggle one can have.

You know how easily can this be avoided? The government/authorities should require Bitcoin ATM/Kiosk manufacturers to make licenses a requirement for their buyers before they can buy one of their products. Obtaining a license first before you buy one is the easiest way to avoid this kind of legal trouble especially for unknowing businessmen who always go in and don't study and plan everything. If they at least require the manufacturers to do this at least they have some kind of 1st level protection for things happening such as this one.

It was their fault also that brought this into a worst-case scenario. If they secured their license first before they start, absolutely there is no problem with that but somehow, they just ignore it. Authorities will just be imposing the law and this illegality will be apprehended.

But the topic isn't that sound right, not it is all about illegal adoption, it is only the illegal operation of Bitcoin ATM without license I'd never find this having a negative impact on the community nor it gives a reason why investors will afraid of using ATM at this time.

without any doubt, the cryptocurrency ATM service will be suspended since US dosen't really support the activity of cryptocurrencies. I'm sure Mohammed will be giving quite a lenthy sentence since he's being charged with cases relating to money laundering. This should serve as a lesson for every crypto enthusiasts not to run a registered exchanges in countries where the activity of cryptocurrency is not fully being supported

That's nothing compared to the Mexican card fraud on Cancun, That was the true land of opportunity, just imagine building luxury hotels with your money laundering business, epic, right?

There is a nice report about how it works, maybe you can watch it with subs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0JW7NX9LRg

I think Kais Mohammad is not a person with careful planning, because it is too careless to keep a Bitcoin ATM without a license
in public places like malls. No wonder he was finally arrested by the police, but what surprised me was how management malls
gave permission illegal Bitcoin ATMs can reach their malls. This is so careless either.

True, however, maybe the time he started the business, there was no clear law about it or maybe he is not aware, with the amount involve or he spent to buy ATM machines, it shows to me that he has already spread his ATM in different locations, so maybe he is just not too well verse with the Law but a law is a law, you can't reason out your being ignorance to it. As for me, it's not intentional to help criminals launders money, it's just his ignorance that cause him trouble.


They should also be blame here, if we look the other way, if Kais Mohammad committed a crime, the malls should be an accomplice.

This is not a mass adoption, in the first place, if his intention is money laundering, people will turn their backs to bitcoin so instead of them having positive experience, it will result to exponential spread of negative news about bitcoin as a whole.

If we really want to promote bitcoin in our own ways, there are legal ways to do it. There's nothing wrong with complying with the government and the jurisdiction, in the end, it is still our business to run bitcoin ATM, and all business should be monitored.