Crypto

Capitol Connections: Rep. Scot Matayoshi on banning cryptocurrency kiosks, cell phones in schools

Published

2 months ago

February 9, 2026

Capitol Connections: Rep. Scot Matayoshi on banning cryptocurrency kiosks, cell phones in schools

This post is part of our Capitol Connections series, where Annalisa Burgos sits down with state lawmakers to discuss their priorities for the legislative session and issues affecting their districts. Watch the full interview above and click here for more Capitol Connections.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – State Representative Scot Matayoshi is proposing legislation to combat fraud and scams and restrict cryptocurrency ATM purchases after hearing multiple accounts of kupuna being victimized.

Matayoshi, D, who represents Kaneohe and Kailua and chairs the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, said a relative told him about a friend who was defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through an online scam.

“I think every single person I’ve talked to has known a cousin, an auntie, a friend of an auntie or a friend of a mom or whatnot that has been defrauded or at least has experienced someone trying to defraud them of money,” Matayoshi said.

Bank teller freeze authority

One bill would allow bank tellers to freeze transactions if they suspect fraud is occurring. Matayoshi said bank tellers serve as the first line of defense because many seniors visit banks in person and have relationships with tellers.

“If the bank teller believes that there’s a fraud, a fraudulent transaction happening, they can put a freeze on it and for a couple of days or however long they need in order for the person to honestly just snap out of it,” Matayoshi said.

He said victims typically realize they’ve been scammed within 24 to 48 hours, but by then the money is already gone and difficult to recover.

Cryptocurrency ATM restrictions

Matayoshi is also introducing legislation to prohibit cryptocurrency purchases through kiosks found inside grocery stores and convenience marts across the state, citing their frequent use in fraudulent transactions targeting seniors.

“These crypto kiosks, in my opinion, are mostly used for fraudulent transactions,” Matayoshi said. “The benefit to them doesn’t outweigh the massive fraud going on with these ATMs.”

The bill would still allow people to withdraw money from crypto ATMs if they already own cryptocurrency and want to convert it to cash.

Store owners have reported seeing seniors at crypto kiosks with cash, talking on phones with someone guiding them through transactions. Matayoshi said scammers often instruct victims to use the machines after claiming their relatives are in danger and need bail money.

Deceptive mailer protections

Another bill targets deceptive mailers that appear to be from mortgage companies or government agencies but are actually third-party services charging excessive fees.

“I’ve been getting a lot of letters that purport to be my mortgage company, that purport to be my car company,” Matayoshi said. The bill would require large disclaimers stating the mailers are not from actual companies and make transactions voidable if proper disclosures aren’t included.

School cell phone ban

Matayoshi is also proposing a school-wide cell phone ban from “bell to bell” that would protect teachers and schools from liability when confiscating devices.

As a former seventh-grade science teacher in Nanakuli, Matayoshi said teachers currently avoid confiscating phones worth hundreds or thousands of dollars due to liability concerns.

“If the cell phone broke, if another kid stole it out of my desk, if it got lost, then I would be held responsible for it,” Matayoshi said.

The bill includes exceptions for emergencies and educational use, and requires parents to pick up confiscated phones. Matayoshi said removing phones from classrooms could reduce bullying and allow students to interact without fear of being recorded.

Budget concerns

Matayoshi said his measure of success for the legislative session will be ensuring essential services like SNAP benefits and Medicaid are maintained despite tight budget constraints.

“Success for me at the end of session would be making sure that those core essential services are still being taken care of, that the government is still providing for people in need,” Matayoshi said.

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Crypto

OKX Invests in Vietnam Exchange CAEX Ahead of Crypto Pilot

Published

2 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

OKX Invests in Vietnam Exchange CAEX Ahead of Crypto Pilot

Key Takeaways

OKX invested in CAEX to meet Vietnam’s $380 million pilot requirement, advancing regulation.
CAEX, backed by OKX and Hashkey, signals a shift to compliant platforms across Southeast Asia.
OKX expands 2026 regulatory push after Malta license, as it aims to lead efforts in shaping Vietnam’s crypto market.

Vietnam’s CAEX Gains OKX Support for Regulated Crypto Push

OKX has taken a strategic stake in Vietnam’s CAEX exchange, positioning itself to support the country’s push toward regulated cryptocurrency trading.

The investment, made alongside local partners including VPBank Securities and LynkiD, as well as Hashkey Capital, will help CAEX meet the financial threshold required to participate in a government-backed pilot program. Vietnam has set a minimum capital requirement of $380 million (VND 10 trillion) for firms seeking to operate within the trial framework.

The partnership signals a growing alignment between global crypto firms and local operators as Southeast Asia moves toward clearer regulatory oversight.

Star Xu, Founder and CEO of OKX, wrote in a blog post, saying,

We expect most Southeast Asian markets to establish clear regulatory frameworks and licensing pathways for digital asset companies. This region is already one of the most important sources of global crypto liquidity. We believe the future of crypto will be built on regulated, local platforms that users can trust, and CAEX represents that future in Vietnam.”

CAEX, formally known as Vietnam Prosperity Crypto Asset Exchange Joint Stock Company, is expected to combine domestic market expertise with international infrastructure and compliance standards. OKX said it will contribute not only capital but also technical support across areas such as risk management, security systems, and liquidity provision.

The initiative comes as Vietnam explores a controlled rollout of digital asset trading under government supervision. While details of the pilot program remain limited, authorities have indicated a preference for well-capitalized and compliant platforms.

OKX’s involvement reflects its broader strategy of working within regulatory frameworks rather than operating outside them. The company has spent recent years securing licenses and approvals in multiple jurisdictions, including registration in the United States and regulated operations across Europe.

Earlier this year, OKX obtained a Payment Institution license in Malta, allowing it to expand crypto payment services across the European Union under established regulatory regimes. The exchange has also pursued approvals in markets such as Singapore and Dubai, where it has built localized platforms tailored to regulatory requirements.

Executives at OKX have framed compliance as central to long-term growth. The firm has increased investment in anti-money laundering controls, customer verification processes, and internal risk systems, aiming to meet institutional standards as the industry matures.

That experience is now being applied to emerging markets. In Vietnam, the focus is on building a platform that can operate within a formal regulatory structure while scaling user adoption.

The investment also reflects a broader shift in the crypto industry. As governments introduce clearer rules, trading activity is increasingly moving toward licensed venues. Market participants are placing greater emphasis on transparency, asset protection, and regulatory oversight.

Southeast Asia remains a key region in that transition, accounting for a significant share of global crypto liquidity. For Vietnam, the CAEX initiative represents an early step in that process. For OKX and its partners, it offers an opportunity to shape the development of a regulated market from the ground up.

If successful, the model could serve as a blueprint for other countries in the region, where demand for digital assets continues to grow alongside calls for stronger investor protections.

Crypto

US Treasury to offer free cybersecurity intelligence to crypto firms

Published

14 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection has unveiled a new cyber threat intelligence sharing initiative with the cryptocurrency sector in a bid to bolster threat discovery, prevention, and response efforts amid increasingly prevalent and sophisticated intrusions against the industry, according t…

Crypto

Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Add Combined $443 Million in Strong Inflow Day

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Add Combined 3 Million in Strong Inflow Day

Key Takeaways:

Bitcoin ETFs saw $358.17 million inflows on April 9, led by Blackrock IBIT, restoring momentum.
Ether ETFs added $85.19 million as ETHA gained $90.94 million, showing selective but rising demand.
XRP lost $661K while Solana saw no flows, suggesting capital is still fluctuating between altcoin ETFs.

Market Turns Decisively Positive for Bitcoin and Ether ETFs

No day is ever the same in the exchange-traded fund (ETF) market, and on Thursday, April 9, the tide turned again. This time, with force.

After a stretch of uneven flows and fading conviction, crypto ETFs snapped back into positive territory, delivering one of the week’s strongest sessions. The recovery was broad, decisive, and led by familiar names.

Bitcoin ETFs recorded a powerful $358.17 million in net inflows, marking a clean reversal from the prior day’s losses. Notably, every major fund contributed, and no outflows were recorded.

Blackrock’s IBIT once again dominated the field, pulling in $269.34 million, roughly three-quarters of total inflows. The scale of that contribution underscored its continued role as the market’s anchor. Fidelity’s FBTC followed with a solid $53.33 million, while Morgan Stanley’s newly launched MSBT added $14.87 million, building on its early momentum.

Bitcoin ETFs likely to close the week in green with inflows surpassing outflows so far.

Further support came from Bitwise’s BITB with $11.73 million, Ark & 21Shares’ ARKB at $4.78 million, Vaneck’s HODL with $2.04 million, and Franklin’s EZBC at $2.08 million. Trading volume reached $1.99 billion, and net assets climbed to $93.29 billion.

Ether ETFs mirrored the rebound, though with a more mixed internal picture. The group posted $85.19 million in net inflows, driven by strong demand for select funds.

Blackrock’s ETHA led with $90.94 million, while its ETHB product added another $13.67 million, continuing its steady rise in investor preference. Grayscale’s Ether Mini Trust contributed $9.67 million.

Yet selling pressure persisted elsewhere. Fidelity’s FETH recorded a $20.98 million outflow, followed by 21Shares’ TETH with $5.53 million. Smaller outflows were seen in Franklin’s EZET at $1.68 million and Grayscale’s ETHE at $900,440. Despite these exits, inflows held firm. Trading volume came in at $831.08 million, with net assets closing at $12.69 billion.

Outside the majors, activity was limited. XRP ETFs posted a modest $661,160 outflow, entirely from 21Shares’ TOXR. Trading volume stood at $11.03 million, with net assets at $955.13 million.

Solana ETFs remained inactive for the session, with no recorded flows. Net assets held steady at $803.03 million.

The broader pattern is becoming clearer. Capital is returning, but it is concentrated. Investors are favoring scale, liquidity, and established names, particularly in bitcoin and select ether products. The market is not fully stable, but confidence is rebuilding in visible pockets.