Bitcoin News Today: Crypto ATM Firm Pursues $100M Sale as DOJ Levels Money Laundering Charges Against Founder

Bitcoin ATM operator Crypto Dispensers is exploring a $100 million sale amid federal charges against its founder, Firas Isa, who faces a single count of conspiracy to commit money laundering tied to an alleged $10 million scheme. The company, which operates a network of ATMs allowing users to buy and send Bitcoin, announced the potential sale on November 21, stating it has retained advisors to evaluate strategic options as the cash-to-crypto sector consolidates according to reports. The move comes just days after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed charges against Isa and the company, alleging they facilitated illicit transactions through their ATM network as per the indictment.

The DOJ indictment, unsealed on November 18, accuses Isa of accepting funds linked to wire fraud and narcotics trafficking between 2018 and 2025, converting them into cryptocurrency, and transferring the proceeds to wallets designed to obscure their origins according to prosecutors. Prosecutors claim the scheme violated know-your-customer (KYC) regulations meant to prevent money laundering. Both Isa and Crypto Dispensers have pleaded not guilty, with the former facing a maximum 20-year prison sentence if convicted as reported.

Crypto Dispensers has framed the potential sale as part of its evolution from a hardware-based model to a software-driven platform. In 2020, the firm shifted its focus to software solutions, including in-store cash deposits and digital payment integrations, to address regulatory pressures and fraud risks according to industry analysis. Isa, in a statement, emphasized that the strategic review aims to determine the "next stage of growth" for the platform, noting that "hardware showed us the ceiling. Software showed us the scale." according to the statement

The DOJ's case highlights growing scrutiny of crypto infrastructure. Federal prosecutors have intensified efforts to combat illicit activity tied to digital assets, with the FBI reporting nearly 11,000 scam complaints related to crypto ATMs in 2024, totaling over $246 million in losses according to data. Cities like Stillwater, Minnesota, and Spokane, Washington, have responded with bans or restrictions on crypto kiosks, citing their role in enabling fraud.

Crypto Dispensers' potential sale reflects broader industry turbulence. Bitcoin prices have declined from a record $126,000 in October to below $81,000 by late November, complicating valuation efforts for crypto firms according to market analysis. The company's ability to attract buyers may hinge on the outcome of its legal proceedings and its ability to demonstrate robust compliance controls. A trial is scheduled for January 2026 as confirmed by court documents.