Washington, D.C. Attorney General sues Bitcoin ATM operator Athena for illegal profit from financial fraud

BlockBeats News, September 9, Washington, DC Attorney General Brian Schwab filed a lawsuit against Bitcoin ATM operator Athena Bitcoin, Inc. on September 8, 2025, accusing the company of illegally profiting from financial frauds targeting elderly people and vulnerable groups. The survey shows that 93% of Athena’s deposits in the Bitcoin ATM operated by SAR are directly related to fraud, with the median victim age of 71 years. The company is charged with charging up to 26% of hidden transaction fees (far higher than the industry standard 0.24%-3%) and implementing a strict "non-refund" policy for fraud victims. The Attorney General’s Office requires Athena to comply with the law, provide compensation to victims and accept penalties.