Legal
Notice to Law Enforcement
For Officers in the Field
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Legal Process & Subpoenas
legal@bitstop.coEmergency Disclosure
emergency@bitstop.coGeneral Compliance
compliance@bitstop.coAbout
A regulated, non-custodial Bitcoin ATM operator.
Understanding our operating model is essential to scoping a successful investigation. Bitstop is a U.S.-licensed money services business (MSB) that operates a network of Bitcoin ATMs and licenses software to independent operators. Our platform is buy-only and non-custodial.
Important. Read this first.
Bitstop does not hold customer funds. When a customer purchases cryptocurrency at one of our ATMs, the digital assets are sent directly to a wallet address the customer designates at the time of the transaction. Once the cryptocurrency leaves our wallet infrastructure, it is on the public blockchain and outside our custody and control.
This means Bitstop generally cannot reverse, freeze, or recover funds sent to a third-party wallet, including a wallet controlled by a scam perpetrator. We can, however, provide records that may aid your investigation pursuant to valid legal process.
- Legal entity
- ATM OPS Inc. d/b/a Bitstop
- NMLS ID
- 1833409
- FinCEN registration
- Money services business, on file with U.S. Treasury
- BSA/AML program
- Risk-based, independently tested
- State licensing
- Multi-state money transmitter license holder
- OFAC screening
- Real-time sanctions screening
Scope of Available Records
What we can and cannot provide.
The categories below summarize the records typically available in response to a properly served subpoena, court order, or search warrant. Availability depends on the customer, the transaction date, and the machine.
What we can provide
- Customer KYC records
- Transaction history
- Beneficiary wallet addresses
- Machine location data
- Selfie and ID images
- Account communications
What we cannot provide
- Recovery of transferred funds
- Custody of customer wallets
- Continuous video surveillance
- Information without legal process
- Sell-side or peer-to-peer activity
- Off-chain tracing of beneficiary wallets
Submitting Legal Process
How to submit a subpoena, court order, or search warrant.
To minimize delays, follow the steps below. Requests submitted through unofficial channels, or missing required information, may be returned for clarification.
- 1
Issue valid process. A subpoena, court order, or search warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States.
- 2
Identify the subject. Provide identifiers such as full name, phone number, email, transaction hash, machine ID, or session ID. The more specific the identifiers, the faster the review.
- 3
Specify a date range. Narrow the request to a defined time window. Open-ended requests slow review and may be objected to as overbroad.
- 4
Serve via an approved method. Email a PDF to legal@bitstop.co from a verifiable agency address, or serve our registered agent by mail.
Preferred: Electronic Service
legal@bitstop.coSubject line: [Agency], [Case No.], Subpoena. PDF attachments only. Encrypted email is supported on request.
Service by Mail: Registered Agent
ATM OPS Inc. d/b/a Bitstop
1541 Sunset Dr, STE 202
Coral Gables, FL 33143
Confirm registered agent details on the Florida Division of Corporations website (Sunbiz) before service.
1
business day to acknowledge receipt and assign a reference number
10-15
business days for standard production on routine, narrowly scoped subpoenas
Emergency Disclosure Requests
When there is an imminent threat to life.
Bitstop will, in good faith, disclose information without legal process where we reasonably believe an emergency involving the danger of death or serious physical injury to any person requires disclosure without delay, consistent with applicable law.
Emergency submission requirements
Submit an Emergency Disclosure Request (EDR) to emergency@bitstop.co on official agency letterhead, signed by a sworn officer. Include: the nature of the emergency and the threat to life; the identifiers needed to locate the records; the specific information sought; and a direct callback number for verification.
EDR submissions are reviewed by our compliance and legal team 24/7. Misuse of the EDR channel for non-emergency requests may be reported to the requesting agency.
Investigative Background
Hosted vs. unhosted wallets.
Where purchased crypto ends up shapes the investigative path. The key distinction is whether the beneficiary wallet is hosted by a platform that knows its owner, or controlled directly by whoever holds the private keys.
Hosted wallet
- Custody
- Held by a third-party platform, such as a centralized exchange.
- KYC of owner
- Typically collected by the host platform and obtainable via subpoena to that platform.
- Investigative path
- Issue legal process to the hosting platform once identified through blockchain analytics.
Unhosted wallet
- Custody
- Self-custodial. The user controls the private keys directly.
- KYC of owner
- Generally unavailable. The wallet owner cannot be identified from the address alone.
- Investigative path
- Trace on-chain to a hosted off-ramp or service that holds KYC information.
Bitstop’s role: we send the purchased asset directly to whichever wallet address the customer designates at the kiosk. We do not validate or identify the owner of beneficiary wallets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from investigators.
Can Bitstop block or freeze a transaction in progress?
In limited circumstances, where a transaction has not yet been broadcast to the blockchain and our compliance team is alerted in real time, we may be able to halt it. Once a transaction is broadcast, it is irreversible. If you believe a victim is at a kiosk right now, contact emergency@bitstop.co immediately.
Do you accept subpoenas from foreign law enforcement agencies?
Records sought by foreign agencies should generally be requested through a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) or letters rogatory, processed through the U.S. Department of Justice. We are happy to coordinate once valid U.S. legal process has been issued.
Can you provide records for a transaction at a third-party operator's machine?
Bitstop licenses software to independent operators who own and run their own machines. For transactions on those machines, KYC records may be held by the operator rather than Bitstop. We will route your request appropriately or identify the correct operator on receipt.
Will Bitstop notify the customer that a subpoena has been received?
Bitstop generally complies with the notification provisions of the Stored Communications Act and analogous laws. If your subpoena or order includes a non-disclosure provision, or you require delayed notification, specify this in your cover letter and cite the legal authority.
What blockchain analytics tools does Bitstop use?
Bitstop maintains relationships with leading blockchain analytics providers as part of our BSA/AML program. Specific tooling and findings are confidential and not part of standard subpoena production, but we are happy to coordinate where cooperation is helpful.
Are there fees for producing records?
Bitstop reserves the right to seek reimbursement of reasonable compliance costs for unduly burdensome requests, consistent with applicable law. Routine, narrowly tailored subpoenas are typically produced without charge.
Disclaimer: This page is provided for informational purposes only, to help law enforcement agencies understand Bitstop’s records production process. It does not constitute legal advice and does not waive any objections, privileges, or other rights of Bitstop, ATM OPS Inc., its customers, or third parties. The information available, the format of production, and response times are subject to change without notice. Service of legal process by email is accepted as a courtesy where indicated and does not constitute consent to alternative service for any other purpose.