Current through L. 2024, c. 185.
Section 2577 - Virtual-currency kiosk operators(a) Daily transaction limit. A virtual-currency kiosk operator shall not accept or dispense more than $1,000.00 of cash in a day in connection with virtual-currency transactions with a single customer in this State via one or more money transmission kiosks.(b) Fee cap. The aggregate fees and charges, directly or indirectly, charged to a customer related to a single transaction or series of related transactions involving virtual currency effected through a money transmission kiosk in this State, including any difference between the price charged to a customer to buy, sell, exchange, swap, or convert virtual currency and the prevailing market value of such virtual currency at the time of such transaction, shall not exceed the greater of the following: (2) three percent of the U.S. dollar equivalent of virtual currency involved in the transaction or transactions.(c) Single transaction. The purchase, sale, exchange, swap, or conversion of virtual currency, or the subsequent transfer of virtual currency, in a series of transactions shall be deemed to be a single transaction for purposes of subsection (b) of this section.(d) Licensing requirement. A virtual-currency kiosk operator shall comply with the licensing requirements of this subchapter to the extent that the virtual-currency kiosk operator engages in virtual-currency business activity.(e) Operator accountability. If a virtual-currency kiosk operator allows or facilitates another person to engage in virtual-currency business activity via a money transmission kiosk in this State that is owned, operated, or managed by the virtual-currency kiosk operator, the virtual-currency kiosk operator shall do all of the following: (1) ensure that the person engaging in virtual-currency business activity is licensed under subchapter 2 of this chapter to engage in virtual-currency business activity and complies with all other applicable provisions of this chapter;(2) ensure that any charges collected from a customer via the money transmission kiosk comply with the limits provided by subsection (b) of this section; and(3) comply with all other applicable provisions of this chapter.(f) Moratorium. To protect the public safety and welfare and safeguard the rights of consumers, virtual-currency kiosks shall not be permitted to operate in Vermont prior to July 1, 2025. This moratorium shall not apply to a virtual-currency kiosk that was operational in Vermont on or before June 30, 2024.(g) Report. On or before January 15, 2025, the Commissioner of Financial Regulation shall report to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and the Senate Committee on Finance on whether the requirements of this section coupled with relevant federal requirements are sufficient to protect customers in Vermont from fraudulent activity. If deemed necessary and appropriate by the Commissioner, the Commissioner may make recommendations for additional statutory or regulatory safeguards. In addition, the Commissioner shall make recommendations for enhanced oversight and monitoring of virtual-currency kiosks for the purpose of minimizing their use for illicit activities as described in the U.S. Government Accountability Office report on virtual currencies, GAO-22-105462, dated December 2021.Added by 2024, No. 110,§ 48, eff. 7/1/2024.