In New Zealand, on July 9, 2025, the government announced significant reforms to its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. The changes include a complete ban on cryptocurrency ATMs and a $5,000 limit on international cash transfers. These measures are aimed at disrupting money laundering and organized financial crime, according to Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
The ban on crypto ATMs is intended to prevent criminals from easily converting cash into high-risk assets like cryptocurrencies. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) will also gain new powers to demand information from banks regarding suspicious activities. Two AML reform bills are expected to pass before the end of the year, offering relief for businesses.
These actions follow a global trend of increased scrutiny of crypto ATMs. Australia introduced similar rules in June 2025, and Spokane, Washington, has also banned these machines. Bitcoin is currently trading at $108,764.00 USD, while Ethereum is at $2,621.67 USD.