Texas Rep Proposes Crypto ATMs in Federal Buildings

Rep. Lance Gooden, a Texas member of the US House of Representatives, has proposed that the General Services Administration (GSA) consider installing cryptocurrency ATMs in federal buildings across the country. In a letter dated May 1, Gooden argued that such a move would serve as an educational resource and reflect advances in financial technology, aligning with President Donald Trump’s goals. He requested that the GSA explore the necessary guidelines and regulations for installing these ATMs in government-controlled properties.

Gooden, who has held no investments in cryptocurrency or ATM companies since taking office in 2019, made this proposal as lawmakers in the US Senate consider legislation to crack down on fraud through crypto ATMs. In February, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act, aimed at placing “common sense guardrails” against fraud affecting many senior citizens.

It is unclear whether the acting administrator of the GSA, Stephen Ehikian, has the authority to expand regulations to include digital asset ATMs tied to private companies. The GSA website states that it may provide space to ATMs from federal credit unions, but it does not specify whether this includes digital asset ATMs. Gooden’s office did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.

The proposal comes at a time when Trump has significant exposure to cryptocurrencies and digital asset firms through his personal holdings, presidential campaign funds, family-backed businesses, and the TRUMP memecoin. In April, the president announced a dinner in DC for top holders of his memecoin. However, it is unclear whether Ehikian, a Trump appointee, would have the authority to unilaterally install the crypto ATMs without an act of Congress to authorize funding.