North Dakota
North Dakota bill aiming to regulate crypto kiosks, prevent fraud gets mixed reactions
BISMARCK — A bill in the North Dakota House of Representatives aims to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks by limiting deposits, capping fees and requiring fraud detection measures in response to rising concerns over financial scams.
House Bill 1447
would regulate virtual currency kiosks, also known as cryptocurrency kiosks or crypto ATMs. The proposal would license cryptocurrency kiosk operators in North Dakota, limit daily deposits to $1,000, cap fees at 3%, require blockchain analytics to detect suspicious activity and mandate refunds for new customers within 30 days.
Simply put, crypto kiosks allow people to insert cash, turn it into cryptocurrency and deposit it into an electronic wallet. It also allows anyone with an electronic wallet to turn cryptocurrency into cash and withdraw it.
More than $6 million was stolen through cryptocurrency fraud in North Dakota in 2023, and the FBI received over 5,500 complaints involving crypto kiosks nationally in 2023, according to AARP.
Rep. Steve Swiontek, R-Fargo, said scammers are directing people to withdraw money from their bank accounts and put it into the crypto ATMs, where it is deposited directly into the electronic wallets of the scammers.
Contributed / Stacy Kennedy, Gate City Bank
Swiontek chairs the board of Gate City Bank and has worked in banking for over 40 years.
He told a story about a person in North Dakota who received a message from a fraudster posing as a federal employee saying they would purchase child sexual abuse material using the person’s identity, open offshore accounts in the person’s name and that their family would be in danger if they did not comply with the fraudster’s directives. The person took out nearly $25,000 and gave it to the fraudster using a crypto kiosk. The person almost gave the fraudster another $25,000, but after a conversation with a neighbor who worked in law enforcement, they found out they had been scammed.
A fraud investigator for First Western Bank, Jacob Rued, said another way fraudsters often work is to refer to the crypto ATMs as “federal safety lockers” and tell people they are scamming that their money is not safe in their bank and needs to be deposited in the “federal safety locker.”
“If you ever hear that term, or someone you love says that term to you, you and they are being scammed,” Rued said. “That term does not exist.”
Josh Askvig, state director of AARP North Dakota, said that elderly North Dakotans are especially vulnerable to these crypto scams.
Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo, questioned the necessity of caps on daily transactions and fees because he believes it would unnecessarily burden a growing industry. He said there are legitimate reasons for people to use the kiosks because if there weren’t, there wouldn’t be successful, publicly traded companies based on them.
“I just don’t believe that there would be a publicly traded company that’s investing in something that’s 99% scams,” Koppelman said. “And that somehow that’s got across (past) all the regulators that deal with the publicly traded companies.”
Koppelman suggested the implementation of a cap on a user’s first five transactions to protect first-time users from scams without impacting those who regularly use the kiosks.
Rued said without the caps on daily transactions, the bill would be useless.
He shared a story about a person who experienced fraud in Minnesota when he took $50,000 out of his bank account, intending to put it all into the kiosk and give it to the scammer’s electronic wallet, but was stopped at depositing $2,000 into the kiosk by Minnesota’s regulations. After he was stopped, he realized he was being scammed and did not give the remaining $48,000 to the fraudster.
“Without that (cap), he would have lost all $50,000,” Rued said. “Now, could he report that to us the next day? Sure. But in all reality, the money is gone. If you know anything about the blockchain and crypto — I mean the whole essence and principle of it is, once it’s out there, the government can’t go get it. No one can exercise control over it.”
Rue noted he was in favor of the cap on fees, as well. The companies that operate the kiosks are “profiting off the losses of these victims,” he said.
Representatives of two companies that operate cryptocurrency kiosks said they were in support of licensing operators of kiosks but not caps on fees and daily transactions.
Director of Government Relations at Bitcoin Depot Ethan McClelland said the cap on transaction fees and daily transaction amounts would make operating in North Dakota unsustainable and drive responsible operators of crypto kiosks out of the state.
The transaction limits “are encouraging scammers to spread transactions around, and it’s hindering our efforts and law enforcement’s efforts to combat fraud,” McClelland said.
Rued disagreed.
“To be perfectly frank with you,” Rued said, “with no disrespect to them, it’s laughable to me that the transaction limit is going to increase the fraud or it’s going to make it more difficult to investigate. My opinion would be the exact opposite — it’s going to decrease fraud.”
Koppelman said the bill will be worked on in a committee before a recommendation is voted on.
April 20, 1957 – May 2, 2026
Via Miller-Carlin Funeral Home
Steven Privratsky, 69, of Hettinger, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.
Steven was born on April 20, 1957, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Steve and Minnie (Binstock) Privratsky. He was raised on the family farm, where he learned the value of hard work, dedication, and family values that he carried with him throughout his life. On June 3, 1977, Steven married the love of his life, Lori Lien, and together they were blessed with three sons: Scott, Mark, and Jason.
Steven was a proud farmer and dedicated many years to raising cattle, planting fields, and cutting hay. Farming was more than a livelihood; it was a way of life he deeply cherished. Steven was also a car enthusiast and a mechanic at heart, and in 1999, he opened Steve’s Service Plus, where he became the town’s trusted mechanic. He took great pride in his work and truly enjoyed visiting with customers, sharing stories, and lending a helping hand.
Above all, Steven’s greatest joy was his family. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, creating special memories and turning the farm into an “amusement park” with tractor, truck, and skid steer rides. Over the past five years, living closer to family in Minnesota was a true blessing. He treasured attending his grandchildren’s activities and being present for the moments that mattered most.
Steven is survived by his loving wife, Lori; his children, Scott (Carmen) Privratsky of Rice, MN, Mark (Sarah) Privratsky of Eden Prairie, MN, and Jason (Kristin) Privratsky of Grant, MN; seven grandchildren, Makenna, Grant, Benjamin, Luke, Caleb, Logan, and Nolan; his siblings, Delores (Harold) Messmer, Lewis (Linda) Privratsky, Larry Privratsky, Mary Kay (Allen) Whitehead, Debbie (Roy) Hofland, and Jeff Privratsky; and his in-laws, Tony (Bev) Volesky, Sharon (Denis) Wells, Donna Lien, Sandra Lien, Lyle (Pat) Lien, Ruth Klein, Alton (Tammy) Lien, Rita (Bill) Frank, Kevin (Terri) Lien, Carla (Jim) Messer, and Curtis Lien. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Minnie (Binstock) Privratsky; his sister, Betty Jane Volesky; his in-laws, Harold and Dorothy (Shern) Lien, and Linda Privratsky; and his nieces and nephews, Rhonda Starling, Dustin Perfett, Cody Perfett, and Corie Lien.
Steven will be remembered for his strong work ethic, kind heart, and deep love for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes, 3013 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud, Minnesota. A second Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Hettinger Lutheran Church, 904 2nd Avenue South, Hettinger, North Dakota, with visitation at 10:00 AM and funeral service at 11:30 AM, with fellowship and burial to follow.
North Dakota
Connections Tourism: Projects in Wheatland, Mountain and Lakota win North Dakota tourism grants – KVRR Local News
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A total of $4 million has been awarded to 8 projects in the latest round of grants to boost tourism in North Dakota.
The 2026 cycle of Destination Development Grants saw 103 applications from 61 communities.
Those in our region include $300,000 to help create the new Icelandic Roosthus heritage center in Mountain in Pembina County.
It has been in development for over eight years.
$870,000 to Johnny’s Landing in Wheatland in Cass County which is a lodging development with 14 RV sites and 12 wellness-focused heritage cabins converted from authentic granaries and grain bins.
And $500,000 to The Prairie Experience at The Bins in Lakota in Nelson County.
Three grain bin lodging units will be developed and the project will include agritourism experiences.
This grant program was funded by the legislature to promote tourism and attractions in North Dakota.
North Dakota
HHS recognizes May as Foster Care Awareness Month, highlights role of community in supporting children and families
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is recognizing May as Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to highlight the resilience of children involved in the state’s foster care system and the dedication of those who support them. Read the Foster Care Awareness Month proclamation.
On any given day, about 1,050 children are in foster care in North Dakota. More than 700 licensed foster care providers and nearly 200 relative caregivers open their homes to provide stability and support for children until reunification or another permanent plan can be achieved.
This year’s theme, “It Takes All of Us: Caring for Children, Supporting Families and Strengthening Futures,” emphasizes the importance of strong, collaborative communities in ensuring the safety, well-being and long-term success of children. The theme highlights the role of partnerships across organizations, with families at the center of the work.
Everyone involved in the child welfare system plays a critical role in supporting the safety, permanency and well-being of children in care. This includes relatives, foster care providers, public agencies, juvenile court, child welfare professionals, schools, community service providers and other partners working together to support families and promote reunification whenever possible.
“Foster care is a temporary service designed to ensure child safety while supporting families,” said Chelsea Flory, HHS Children and Family Services director. “May is a time to recognize everyone involved in the child welfare system. This year’s theme highlights the importance of all who play a role in engaging with and supporting families. Together, we strengthen connections and help create brighter, more stable futures.”
Individuals interested in becoming licensed foster care providers are encouraged to call 833-FST-HOME (833-378-4663). For information about providing respite or emergency shelter care, contact the Children and Family Services Licensing Unit at 701-328-2322 or email cfslicensing@nd.gov.
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