Alaska tackles crypto scams with new rules

Alaskans lost over $26 million to fraud in 2024, with seniors hit hardest. Scammers often trick victims by pretending to be government officials, using AI to fake official phone numbers. They push people to use crypto kiosks—machines that handle Bitcoin transactions—because once money is sent this way, it can’t be taken back or traced. These kiosks sit in a legal gray area. No strict rules exist to stop scams, so criminals take advantage. They use fear and urgency to pressure people into sending money fast. A new bill, SB 249, aims to change that. It would require kiosk operators to:- Post clear warnings about common scams. - Ask for ID to slow down fraudsters. - Block transactions to known scam wallets. - Set limits on fees and how much money can be moved per day. The bill doesn’t ban crypto kiosks—it just adds safeguards. Seniors, who’ve worked hard to save their money, need these protections most. Fraudsters don’t care about fairness, so the state can’t afford to stay silent. This bill could be a first step in fighting back.