On May 1, Texas Republican Congressman Lance Gooden proposed installing cryptocurrency ATMs in United States federal buildings. Gooden suggested this initiative in a letter to Stephen Ehikian, acting administrator for the General Services Administration (GSA). He argued that these ATMs would serve as an "educational resource" for the public.
Gooden requested that the GSA explore the necessary guidelines and regulations for installing these machines on federally owned properties nationwide. Public documents indicate that Gooden has not declared any cryptocurrency investments or affiliations with ATM firms since his election in 2019. The GSA regulates government-owned properties and can offer space for federal credit union ATMs.
However, it is uncertain whether Ehikian can extend these regulations to digital asset ATMs provided by private companies. Reports suggest that Ehikian may need Congressional consent to introduce such ATMs, as the finances involved may require an act of Congress. This proposal contrasts with the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act introduced last February by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, aimed at establishing safeguards against scams.