LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority said Tuesday it had suspended 26 machines across the country for illegally offering cryptocurrencies, warning consumers that they could lose all their fortunes.
According to the FCA, an ordinary person paid £1,000 to a cryptocurrency ATM in Sheffield, northern England, in an attempt to buy cryptocurrency, but neither the cryptocurrency nor the funds were returned.
The watchdog, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, has inspected 34 suspected crypto ATMs and “sabotaged” 26 machines since the beginning of the year.
“If you use a cryptocurrency ATM in the UK, you are using a machine that operates illegally and may be handing over money to criminals,” said FCA Co-Executive Director of Law Enforcement and Market Surveillance. Steve Smart said. statement.
“If something goes wrong, you’re not protected and you can lose money,” Smart said.
(Reporting by Hugh Jones, Editing by David Evans)
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