Chicago, USA / IL, November 19th, 2025, Chainwire
Crypto Dispensers Addresses Recent Allegations and Reinforces Its Commitment to Compliance, Consumer Protection, and Responsible Industry Innovation
Crypto Dispensers issued the following statement in response to recent federal allegations announced in the Northern District of Illinois. Both the company and its founder, Firas Isa, have entered not guilty pleas. The allegations do not reflect the company’s business model, compliance practices, or operational structure. Crypto Dispensers will contest the charges fully and is confident that the facts will be made clear through the legal process.
A Misunderstanding of a Business That No Longer Resembles the ATM Industry
Crypto Dispensers began in 2017 as a small Bitcoin ATM operator. Over time, the company observed the widespread vulnerabilities in the ATM model that regulators have since highlighted. High daily limits, unsupervised machines, and no in-person oversight created an environment where scammers targeted victims through romance schemes, phone-based coaching, and government impersonation scams.
Recognizing these risks early, Crypto Dispensers became one of the first operators in the country to pivot away from ATM hardware. The company no longer operates a large fleet of machines and has not focused on ATM expansion for years. Today, fewer than a dozen ATMs remain in operation nationwide. The company’s primary business is a regulated software platform that allows customers to make small cash deposits inside major retail stores, where transactions occur at staffed checkout terminals under store policies that include ID verification, cashier oversight, and fraud warnings displayed at the register.
This model is fundamentally different from the traditional ATM structure described in the allegations. It eliminates the environmental vulnerabilities that criminals typically exploit and has proven to be a significantly safer alternative for users.
Built on Compliance, Documentation, and Transparent Partnerships
Since its inception, Crypto Dispensers has invested heavily in compliance, licensing, and risk management. The company has filed extensive regulatory documentation, obtained money transmitter licenses, and built structured relationships with established retail and financial networks. Debit, credit, ACH, and wire transactions are processed through regulated third parties, each with its own compliance requirements.
Crypto Dispensers does not take custody of user Bitcoin. Every purchase is sent directly to the customer’s own wallet. The company never stores customer assets and does not function as a centralized exchange.
The government’s interpretation of certain historical banking activity fails to consider a reality well known throughout the digital asset industry. For years, U.S. cryptocurrency companies faced widespread de-banking and account closures. Many operators were forced to transition between institutions simply to maintain basic business operations. This environment created patterns that can be misinterpreted by those unfamiliar with the industry, but it does not reflect misconduct.
Crypto Dispensers navigated this environment while continuing to file regulatory forms, maintain compliance programs, and build a safer model for cash-based Bitcoin purchases.
A Safety-Focused Model Designed for Today’s Consumers
The company’s in-store cash deposit system includes structured limits of $500 per transaction, $1,500 per day, and $5,000 per month. These limits, combined with trained cashiers, in-person ID verification, and on-screen fraud warnings, create natural barriers that prevent the types of scams that have become common in the ATM industry.
Crypto Dispensers chose this model specifically to protect users. It is the reason the company has maintained a strong reputation with customers, reflected in its 4.1-star rating on Trustpilot from hundreds of verified reviews.
A Track Record of Innovation Recognized by the Industry
Crypto Dispensers has built its business without outside venture capital. The company grew through disciplined operations, reinvested revenue, and a long-term commitment to compliance and consumer protection. This work has earned recognition within the industry.
The company was selected to participate in Startups PitchFest, a startup competition sponsored by Google and hosted at the Consensus Conference, one of the largest blockchain and cryptocurrency events in the world. The selection highlighted Crypto Dispensers as one of the top emerging startups in the digital asset space.
The Company Will Defend Its Name and Its Work
Crypto Dispensers maintains that it has always operated with a commitment to compliance, transparency, and customer protection. The company will present the full context of its operations in court and is confident that the legal process will reflect the true nature of its business.
Statement from the Founder
“For eight years we have built a safer and more responsible model for cash-based Bitcoin access,” said Firas Isa, Founder and CEO of Crypto Dispensers. “We moved away from the traditional ATM model because we understood the risks it created for consumers. Our platform operates with small limits, in-store oversight, and transparent processes that protect customers. We have always prioritized compliance and we will defend the work we have done, the customers we serve, and the integrity of our company.”
About Crypto Dispensers
Founded in 2017, Crypto Dispensers is a U.S. financial technology company that provides secure, compliant access to Bitcoin through every major payment method. Customers can buy Bitcoin with cash inside retail stores nationwide and through wire transfers, ACH, debit and credit cards, and Bitcoin ATMs in select cities. The company partners with leading retail and financial networks to merge traditional payment infrastructure with digital asset technology, delivering trusted and transparent access to Bitcoin for cash-dependent, unbanked, and cash-preferred users.
Contact
Lola Vance
Virtual Assets / Crypto Dispensers
info@cryptodispensers.com