CAFE Association Adds CoinFlip and Athena Bitcoin as Founding Members, Strengthening Industry Collaboration on Consumer Protection
January 29, 2026.
The Cryptocurrency Anti-Fraud Education (CAFE) Association today announced that CoinFlip and Athena Bitcoin have joined as the organization’s first founding industry members, reflecting growing momentum among responsible digital asset companies committed to building trust, transparency, and strengthened consumer protection in cryptocurrency.
The addition of CoinFlip and Athena signals an effort among cryptocurrency industry leaders to advance best practices, enhance consumer protection and understanding, and support thoughtful public policy as adoption continues to expand.
“Digital asset adoption is accelerating with more individuals moving from initial interest to active participation,” said Edward “Coach” Weinhaus, Esq., interim founding executive director of the CAFE Association. “CoinFlip and Athena demonstrate the kind of leadership necessary to ensure consumer access, education, and support. The association, with their support, will advance initiatives that strengthen consumer protections and foster consumer confidence in the digital economy.”
As founding members, CoinFlip and Athena will contribute to CAFE’s early initiatives, including:
- Research and analysis on trends in digital asset usage and fraud protection
- Consumer education campaigns to support informed participation
- Industry best-practice frameworks for customer protection and system design
CAFE’s launch arrives at a moment when digital asset usage is becoming more mainstream and consumers are eager for clarity, resources, and trusted information. As adoption has accelerated, scammers have increasingly attempted to misuse a variety of financial tools—including wire transfers, prepaid cards, and cash-to-crypto services—as part of broader social engineering schemes. Strengthening consumer protection requires education, visibility, and consistent standards across all payment rails. Member companies play an active role in that effort by contributing practical expertise and demonstrating leadership in transparency, access, and consumer protection-focused customer support.
“This is just the beginning. We call on more industry leaders to join us in this vital mission: educating the public, advancing anti-fraud best practices and ensuring trust in digital finance,” said Anna Milne, CAFE Director of Research. “Together, we can educate consumers about what safeguards to look for in cryptocurrency companies while ensuring the industry remains at the forefront of consumer protection.”
CoinFlip and Athena bring experience operating consumer-facing digital asset services at scale, offering a valuable perspective on how education, clear communication, and user-friendly design can help broaden participation while reinforcing consumer confidence and protection.
Membership in CAFE is open to cryptocurrency companies of all sizes, including kiosk operators, wallet platforms, and fintech businesses serving consumers. Members receive access to educational resources, industry frameworks, collaborative research opportunities, and public recognition for their commitment to responsible digital finance.
To learn more or apply for membership, visit www.CAFEAssociation.org.
About CAFE Association
The Cryptocurrency Anti-Fraud Education (CAFE) Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting consumers, educating the public, and promoting industry best practices to prevent cryptocurrency fraud. CAFE works with industry, policymakers, and the media to strengthen trust, transparency, and accountability across digital finance to benefit consumers.
About CoinFlip
CoinFlip is a digital currency platform focused on making cryptocurrency simple, secure, and accessible for consumers. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Chicago, CoinFlip operates one of the largest networks of cash-to-crypto kiosks by transaction volume in the United States, along with an expanding international footprint. The company offers a self-custodial CoinFlip Wallet and CoinFlip Preferred, an over-the-counter service for higher-value transactions. CoinFlip’s mission reflects a commitment to financial inclusion, transparency, and responsible innovation within digital finance.
About Athena Bitcoin
Athena Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency technology company dedicated to expanding access to digital assets through infrastructure, innovation, and financial inclusion. Founded in 2013, Athena owns and operates a global network of cryptocurrency kiosks across multiple International markets and 29 U.S. states. The company also provides OTC trading services through Athena Plus and white-label ATM and point-of-sale solutions. Athena focuses on accessibility, user empowerment, and secure engagement with Bitcoin and other digital currencies.
Media Contact
contact@CAFEAssociation.org