Australia Pulls Plug on 96 Cryptolink ATMs Over Compliance Failures

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) confirmed the move as part of an ongoing crackdown on the country's rapidly expanding crypto ATM sector. Agency CEO Brendan Thomas stated that the regulator remains deeply concerned about the operator’s ability to manage high-risk transactions, noting that the firm had previously entered into an enforceable undertaking in October 2025 to address similar lapses. During that earlier intervention, Cryptolink paid a A$56,340 penalty after investigators identified significant shortcomings in its risk assessment protocols.

This regulatory action reflects a broader shift in Australian oversight. Government data links crypto ATMs to widespread financial crime, including money laundering and sophisticated scams that have devastated victims across the country. With Australia now hosting roughly 2,000 such machines, federal authorities have mandated stricter customer due diligence and capped cash transactions at A$5,000. For Cryptolink, the current suspension effectively halts its ability to provide virtual asset services, forcing the company to pull its machines offline until the compliance issues are rectified.