Where to Spend Bitcoin in Tennessee (2026)
Last updated · By Galaxy Mind
Bitcoin ATMs have been illegal to operate in Tennessee since July 1, 2026, but spending and owning bitcoin are still legal. For walk-in places, use BTC Map, which shows many pins in every part of the state, from Memphis to Knoxville. To shop online, our directory lists hand-checked US shops that ship. To get bitcoin safely without a kiosk, read our beginner's guide.
Bitcoin ATMs in Tennessee: banned since July 1, 2026
What Public Chapter 766 says
Public Chapter 766 (House Bill 2505) passed the House 94 to 0 and the Senate 32 to 0, was signed on April 13, 2026, and took effect on July 1, 2026. It makes it a Class A misdemeanor to:
“knowingly install or allow installation of, permit, place, or otherwise operate a virtual currency kiosk in this state.”
The state's Department of Financial Institutions explains that the law reaches kiosk operators and also anyone who knowingly lets a kiosk sit on property they own, lease or control. Read the bill text, the bill history and the Department of Financial Institutions bulletin.
Why Tennessee banned them
The Attorney General's office says the legislature acted after testimony about crypto ATMs being used in scams that have cost victims millions of dollars nationwide. Read the Attorney General's release.
Where the lawsuit stands (as of October 18, 2026)
Kiosk operator CoinFlip and others sued in federal court in the Eastern District of Tennessee. The court denied their request for a temporary restraining order on June 30, 2026, so the law took effect on schedule. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on August 3, 2026, and the case is still open. See the public docket.
What this means if you used a bitcoin ATM
- Any bitcoin ATM still operating in Tennessee would be breaking state law, even if a map app still shows it.
- The ban covers kiosks only. Owning, buying, selling and spending bitcoin are still legal in Tennessee.
- If anyone tells you to put cash into a bitcoin machine to protect your money or pay a bill, it is a scam. Hang up and call your bank using a number you already know.
The FTC explains how bitcoin ATM scams work.
This page is a plain summary of public sources as of the date shown. It is not legal advice.
Places we have checked
BTC Map shows more pins around the state's largest city than anywhere else in the state. These two places are in our directory, and we checked both again on the date shown.
Bitcoin Park
A community campus for bitcoiners with free monthly public meetups, workshops and coworking for members. You can support it in bitcoin through its crowdfunding page.
Visit their site · See their Galaxy Mind listing · Last checked
Bitcoin Museum & Art Gallery
Bitcoin art, artifacts and history, with original artworks auctioned and paid for in bitcoin.
Visit their site · See their Galaxy Mind listing · Last checked
Steak 'n Shake
The burger chain has taken bitcoin since May 2025, and BTC Map shows locations across the state. Check your location before you go.
Visit their site · Last checked
Planning a visit for a bitcoin event? Bitcoin Park posts its public meetups on its schedule page, and the museum's site lists what is on view. For every other walk-in place, open Tennessee on BTC Map.
Other Tennessee cities
Knoxville
Knoxville has an active local bitcoin community that keeps its own merchant list on BTC Map. Start there for restaurants and shops that take bitcoin in person.
Knoxville on BTC Map · Knoxville Bitcoin merchants on BTC Map
Chattanooga
Chattanooga's bitcoin community runs its own map of local businesses that accept bitcoin, and BTC Map has more pins across the area, including a Steak 'n Shake.
Memphis
Memphis has a smaller set of pins, from shops on Beale Street to local services. Open BTC Map before you go, because pins can change.
We link to BTC Map for walk-in places rather than copying its pins, because its volunteers keep them current. Our own directory covers shops that sell online.
Shop online with bitcoin from Tennessee
You can shop online with bitcoin from anywhere in Tennessee. Every shop below is in our directory, and a person confirmed it takes bitcoin, with the date shown on its page.
- 0x Crypto Goodies
Apparel
- 100 Acres Ranch
Hardware & Mining
- AliceA
Consumables
- 603BTC
Books & Education
- 33 Gamma
Collectibles & 3D
- SatsList
General goods
See all 97 on the United States page, browse online stores that accept bitcoin, or shop by category on spend bitcoin on.
How to get bitcoin in Tennessee without an ATM
- The kiosk ban does not stop you from buying bitcoin. People in Tennessee still buy through exchanges and apps, from other people, or by being paid in bitcoin for work.
- Start small, compare the total cost including spreads and fees, and move your coins to a wallet you control.
- Never buy bitcoin because someone on the phone told you to. That is the most common scam pattern there is.
Our beginner's guide to buying bitcoin covers the main options and how to stay safe. When you're ready to spend, here is how to pay with Lightning at a counter, and how to spend and replace what you use.
Tennessee businesses: start accepting bitcoin
Run a Tennessee business? Taking bitcoin can be as simple as a Lightning app on your phone or a setting in the point-of-sale system you already use. Our merchant guide walks through the options. If you sell online, you can ask to be listed in our directory for free.
Accept bitcoin at your Tennessee business · List your shop · Get the listing badge
Tennessee bitcoin FAQ
Are bitcoin ATMs legal in Tennessee?
No. Since July 1, 2026, Public Chapter 766 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly install, allow, place or operate a virtual currency kiosk in Tennessee. A federal court declined to block the law, and the lawsuit against it is still open as of October 18, 2026.
Why did Tennessee ban crypto ATMs?
The Attorney General's office says lawmakers acted after testimony that crypto ATMs were being used in scams that have cost victims millions of dollars nationwide.
Does the ban apply to every kiosk company?
Yes. It covers any kiosk operator and anyone who knowingly allows a kiosk on property they own, lease or control. CoinFlip is one of the operators challenging the law in court.
Can I still buy bitcoin in Tennessee?
Yes. The ban covers kiosks, not owning, buying or spending bitcoin. Our beginner's guide explains the main ways to buy and how to avoid scams.
Which Tennessee places are in the Galaxy Mind directory?
Bitcoin Park and the Bitcoin Museum & Art Gallery are both in our directory. BTC Map shows many more walk-in places across the state.
Where can I spend bitcoin in Knoxville, Chattanooga or Memphis?
Use BTC Map for current walk-in pins. Knoxville and Chattanooga also have local bitcoin communities that keep their own merchant maps, and Steak 'n Shake takes bitcoin across the state.
Can I shop online with bitcoin from Tennessee?
Yes. Our directory lists US shops that take bitcoin, each confirmed by a person, so you can order from home.
Is a bitcoin ATM still showing on a map near me?
Map listings can be out of date. Under current Tennessee law, an operating kiosk would be illegal, and anyone telling you to deposit cash into one is running a scam.
About Galaxy Mind
Galaxy Mind is a Tennessee bitcoin treasury company. We run a free directory of shops that take bitcoin, and a person checks every listing. We wrote this guide for people across the state who want to use bitcoin as money.
Sources
Legal status and business checks as of October 18, 2026. Sources: Tennessee General Assembly (HB2505, Public Chapter 766), the Department of Financial Institutions, the Attorney General's office, the federal court docket, the FTC, BTC Map, and each business's own website and public posts. This page is a plain summary of public sources as of the date shown. It is not legal advice.