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SB0741 • 2026

Financial Institutions and Activities - Virtual Currency Kiosks - Alterations

Financial Institutions and Activities - Virtual Currency Kiosks - Alterations

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Senators Beidle and Hettleman
Last action
2026-05-12
Official status
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 417
Effective date
2026-10-01

Plain English Breakdown

The official bill summary and text do not provide specific details on how existing operators will adapt to changes or penalties for non-compliance.

Changes to Virtual Currency Kiosk Rules

This law changes how virtual currency kiosks are defined and regulated in Maryland, including who can operate them and what services they can offer.

What This Bill Does

  • Expands the definition of a 'virtual currency kiosk operator' to include people who install or run software that enables devices to provide virtual currency services.
  • Changes the definition of 'virtual currency services' to exclude accepting or dispensing cash for credit, deposit, or convenience accounts.
  • Clarifies that virtual currency kiosks should not offer the same services as automated teller machines (ATMs).
  • Updates existing laws about financial institutions and activities related to virtual currency kiosks.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who operate virtual currency kiosks in Maryland.
  • Financial institutions that deal with virtual currencies.
  • Consumers using virtual currency services through kiosks.

Terms To Know

Virtual Currency Kiosk Operator
A person or company who owns, operates, or installs software for a device providing virtual currency services.
Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
An electronic device that allows people to access their bank accounts and perform transactions like withdrawing cash.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not specify penalties for non-compliance with the new rules.
  • It is unclear how existing virtual currency kiosk operators will adapt to these changes.
  • The exact services that qualify as 'virtual currency services' are defined by regulations set by the Commissioner.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-12 Post Passage

    Approved by the Governor - Chapter 417

  2. 2026-04-08 House

    Favorable Report by Economic Matters

  3. 2026-03-25 House

    Third Reading Passed (134-0)

  4. 2026-03-24 Senate

    Returned Passed

  5. 2026-03-21 House

    Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

  6. 2026-03-16 House

    Hearing 3/24 at 1:00 p.m.

  7. 2026-03-09 Senate

    Favorable Report by Finance

  8. 2026-03-01 House

    Referred Economic Matters

  9. 2026-02-27 Senate

    Third Reading Passed (44-0)

  10. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Favorable Adopted

  11. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Second Reading Passed

  12. 2026-02-11 Senate

    Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.

  13. 2026-02-06 Senate

    First Reading Finance

  14. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - First - Financial Institutions and Activities - Virtual Currency Kiosks - Alterations

  15. Maryland General Assembly

    Vote - Senate - Committee - Finance

  16. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - Third - Financial Institutions and Activities - Virtual Currency Kiosks - Alterations

  17. Maryland General Assembly

    Vote - House - Committee - Economic Matters

  18. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - Chapter - Financial Institutions and Activities - Virtual Currency Kiosks - Alterations

Official Summary Text

Altering the definition of "virtual currency kiosk operator" to include a person who installs or operates certain software that enables a certain device to provide certain virtual currency services; altering the definition of "virtual currency services" to exclude the accepting or dispensing of cash in connection with a credit, deposit, or convenience account; and clarifying that a virtual currency kiosk operator shall ensure the kiosk does not offer the same services as an automated teller machine.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*sb0741*

SENATE BILL 741
I1 6lr2185

By: Senators Beidle and Hettleman
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Finance
Committee Report: Favorable
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: February 25, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Financial Institutions and Activities – Virtual Currency Kiosks – Alterations 2

FOR the purpose of altering the definition of “virtual currency kiosk operator” to include a 3
person who installs or operates certain software that enables a certain device to 4
provide certain virtual currency services; altering the definition of “virtual currency 5
services” to exclude the accepting or dispensing of cash in connection with a credit, 6
deposit, or convenience account ; clarifying that a virtual currency kiosk operator 7
shall ensure the kiosk does not offer the same services as an automated teller 8
machine; and generally relating to the regulation of virtual currency kiosks. 9

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10
Article – Financial Institutions 11
Section 1–401(a) and (d) and 12–1201(a) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 14

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15
Article – Financial Institutions 16
Section 12–1201(e), (f), and (g) and 12–1207 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 19

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 20
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 21

2 SENATE BILL 741

Article – Financial Institutions 1

1–401. 2

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 3

(d) (1) “Automated teller machine” means any electronic information 4
processing device located in this State which accepts or dispenses cash in connection with 5
a credit, deposit, or convenience account. 6

(2) “Automated teller machine” does not include devices used: 7

(i) Solely to facilitate check guarantees or check authorizations; 8

(ii) In connection with the acceptance or dispensing of cash on a 9
person–to–person basis, including by a store cashier; or 10

(iii) For the payment of goods or services. 11

12–1201. 12

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 13

(e) [(1)] “Virtual currency kiosk” means a stand –alone automated platform 14
through which a consumer may deposit or receive cash or use a credit or debit card to obtain 15
virtual currency services. 16

[(2) “Virtual currency kiosk” does not include an automated teller machine, 17
as defined in § 1–401(d) of this article.] 18

(f) “Virtual currency kiosk operator” or “operator” means [a]: 19

(1) A person who owns or operates a virtual currency kiosk in the State ; 20
OR 21

(2) A PERSON WHO INSTALLS OR OPERATES SOFTWARE THAT 22
ENABLES A STAND –ALONE AUTOMATED DEVICE TO PRO VIDE VIRTUAL CURRENCY 23
SERVICES IN THE STATE. 24

(g) (1) “Virtual currency service” means: 25

(i) The conversion of a virtual currency to another form of virtual 26
currency; or 27

(ii) The purchase, sale, exchange, swap, or transfer of virtual 28
currency by any means. 29
SENATE BILL 741 3

(2) “Virtual currency service” includes any other activity that the 1
Commissioner identifies as a virtual currency service by regulation. 2

(3) “Virtual currency service” does not include [money]: 3

(I) MONEY transmission, as defined in § 12–401(p) of this title; OR 4

(II) ACCEPTING OR DISPENSING CASH IN CONNECTIO N WITH A 5
CREDIT, DEPOSIT, OR CONVENIENCE ACCOUNT. 6

12–1207. 7

A virtual currency kiosk operator shall ensure that the virtual currency kiosk: 8

(1) Operates solely for the purpose of virtual currency services; and 9

(2) Does not operate OR PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES as an automated 10
teller machine as defined under § 1–401 of this article. 11

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 12
October 1, 2026. 13

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.