New Zealand has moved to tighten its anti-money-laundering regime by banning all cryptocurrency ATMs and imposing a NZ$5,000 (about US$3,000) limit on international cash transfers. Announcing the overhaul, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said the measures aim to make the country "one of the hardest for criminals to hide" while minimizing burdens on legitimate businesses. A forthcoming bill will broaden police and regulator powers and allow the Financial Intelligence Unit to collect more data on individuals of interest. The decision affects roughly 221 crypto kiosks nationwide, which authorities say have become conduits for illicit funds. Industry participants, including exchange operator Easy Crypto, welcomed the crackdown as a step toward a more mature market, noting that most everyday users now rely on regulated online platforms rather than high-fee ATMs.