San Antonio to Require Bilingual Warning Signs on Bitcoin ATMs

San Antonio city officials are developing an ordinance to require bilingual warning signs at virtual currency kiosks, including Bitcoin ATMs, to combat a rise in cryptocurrency-related scams.

On April 2, 2026, the San Antonio City Council outlined a package of measures aimed at preventing fraud that has cost local residents thousands of dollars. The proposal follows reports from the San Antonio Police Department and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office regarding the use of cryptocurrency kiosks by scammers to extort residents.

Law enforcement officials informed the council that these scams frequently target senior citizens. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar described the fraudulent activity as a big business that has been milking San Antonio and or Bexar County residents out of millions of dollars every single year.

Proposed Regulatory Measures

City staff and leaders from the San Antonio Police Department recommended expanding the proposed Bitcoin ordinance to include several consumer protection layers. These measures focus on increasing visibility and public awareness to prevent residents from falling victim to extortion schemes.

The recommended package includes:

• The implementation of standardized warning signage at all cryptocurrency kiosks.
• A bilingual public-awareness campaign to educate the community.
• The creation of a coordinated investigative task force.

The focus on bilingual outreach is intended to ensure that a broader segment of the local population is alerted to the risks associated with these machines.

Timeline for Implementation

The San Antonio City Council has begun work on the ordinance as part of a coordinated enforcement strategy. City staff indicated that a public safety review is planned, with the goal of introducing the ordinance in May 2026.