Bitcoin News Today: Crypto ATM Firm Pursues $100M Sale as DOJ Levels Money Laundering Charges Against Founder

Crypto Dispensers, a company operating Bitcoin ATMs, is considering a

following federal allegations against its founder, Firas Isa, who has been charged with conspiring to launder money in connection with an alleged $10 million operation. The firm, which runs a network of ATMs enabling customers to purchase and transfer , revealed the possible sale on November 21, noting that it has hired advisors to explore strategic alternatives as the cash-to-crypto industry undergoes consolidation . This announcement comes shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) brought charges against Isa and the company, accusing them of enabling illegal transactions through their ATM system .

The DOJ indictment, made public on November 18, alleges that Isa accepted money tied to wire fraud and drug trafficking from 2018 to 2025, converted those funds into cryptocurrency, and sent the proceeds to wallets intended to hide their source

. Authorities allege the operation breached know-your-customer (KYC) rules designed to stop money laundering. Both Isa and Crypto Dispensers have denied the charges, and Isa could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty .

Crypto Dispensers has described the potential sale as part of its transition from a hardware-focused business to a software-centric platform. In 2020, the company pivoted to software offerings, such as in-store cash deposits and digital payment solutions, to better address regulatory demands and fraud concerns . In a statement, Isa highlighted that the strategic review is meant to identify the platform’s "next phase of expansion," adding, "hardware revealed our limits. Software revealed our potential for growth."

The DOJ’s prosecution underscores increasing oversight of the crypto sector. Federal authorities have ramped up efforts to address illegal activities involving digital currencies, with the FBI documenting nearly 11,000 crypto ATM scam reports in 2024, resulting in losses exceeding $246 million

. Municipalities such as Stillwater, Minnesota, and Spokane, Washington, have responded by imposing bans or restrictions on crypto ATMs, citing their use in fraudulent schemes.

The possible sale of Crypto Dispensers mirrors broader volatility in the industry. Bitcoin’s value has dropped from a peak of $126,000 in October to under $81,000 by late November, complicating how crypto companies are valued

. Whether the company can attract buyers may depend on the resolution of its legal issues and its ability to prove strong compliance measures. The trial is set for January 2026 .