Edward “Coach” Weinhaus, the founding executive director of the Cryptocurrency Anti-Fraud Education Association (CAFE), expressed concerns that enforcement and commentary aimed at a regulated cash-to-crypto kiosk operator could restrict access to digital assets for underbanked users. This statement was made during a panel discussion at the Federalist Society.
“My question: it relates to an article Miss Biber wrote, so anyone can answer the question, but I’ll address it,” said Edward “Coach” Weinhaus. “Do you think that by jumping on the bandwagon, with the state and D.C. Attorneys General, against the one non participant in gross fraud, in those transactions, you are sacrificing access to digital assets, by the millions who most need them, that those ATMs have served?”
According to the Federalist Society National Lawyers Convention panel, Weinhaus addressed audience questions during a session titled “Digital Assets at the Crossroads: Innovation, Protection.” The session explored payment stablecoins as privately issued dollar instruments under the 2025 GENIUS Act, focusing on federal authority, market structure, and comparisons to central bank digital currencies. Panelists included Katie Biber of Paradigm, Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal, Conference of State Bank Supervisors CEO Brandon Milhorn, Duke University’s Lee Reiners, and Fusion Law partner Paul Watkins. The session was moderated by Judge Patrick Wyrick.
Coach’s question referenced the CoinDesk opinion column “Cleaning Up Crypto ATMs Isn’t Anti-Crypto” by Paradigm chief legal officer Katie Biber and Dominique Little. According to the CoinDesk op-ed, the authors state that the crypto ATM industry’s future “doesn’t have to be exploitative” and point to “real opportunities in remittances, bill pay, and stablecoin access for the unbanked” if operators earn users’ trust. They add that “these companies could start by implementing serious anti-fraud measures that actually work,” implying that stronger safeguards at bitcoin kiosks can improve consumer protection without cutting off access for cash-first users.
The CAFE Association has positioned itself as an ally for innovation, consumer protection for members and other firms seeking robust anti-fraud practices. On October 16, 2025, it issued a call for membership to cryptocurrency companies, wallet providers, and fintech platforms to join a nationwide coalition dedicated to preventing fraud and protecting consumers from scams.
The Cryptocurrency Anti-Fraud Education (CAFE) Association is a nonprofit consumer-education corporation focused on preventing crypto-related fraud and scams, positioned as an industry-supported organization dedicated to consumer protection, education, and cross-ecosystem collaboration. Its mission includes protecting consumers from cryptocurrency fraud, providing educational resources to empower the public, establishing best-practice standards for market participants, and supporting members as they navigate evolving regulatory and legal environments. By citing transparency and accountability, CAFE seeks to build trust in digital financial systems and create a safer environment for individuals and institutions engaging with cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based services.
