Top Countries from Across the Globe with Most Cryptocurrency ATMs

Cryptocurrency ATMs are situated all over these countries

Cryptocurrency ATM is a terminal that allows people to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, and cryptocurrencies using a bank card or cash. Visually, they can differ from each other, sometimes they look like ATMs, and sometimes are installed into a stand or wall. Around the world, about 10,114 bitcoin ATMs have already been installed, according to CoinATMRadar. Cryptocurrency ATMs are more popular in North America. More than 75 percent of these machines are located in the USA and Canada, with only 2,000 in Western Europe. This is surprising because European investors and traders show great interest in buying cryptocurrency assets and many European countries have already created transparent legislation in the field of cryptocurrency regulation.

Bitcoin ATM

A bitcoin ATM is an Internet-connected kiosk that allows customers to purchase bitcoins and/or other cryptocurrencies with deposited cash. A bitcoin ATM is not the same as an automated teller machine (ATM) that allows bank customers to physically withdraw, deposit, or transfer funds in one's bank account. Rather, bitcoin ATMs produce blockchain-based transactions that send cryptocurrencies to the user's digital wallet, often via the use of a QR code. A bitcoin ATM allows customers to buy bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The use of "ATM" is a misnomer. The machines are not actually ATMs and do not dispense cash. Rather, they are kiosks that connect to the bitcoin network and allow customers to purchase crypto tokens with deposited cash. Bitcoin ATMs are rarely operated by major financial institutions and do not connect customers to a bank account.

The Process of Using such ATMs

Buyers will typically scan a quick response (QR) code corresponding to their own bitcoin wallet address, to which purchased coins are transferred. If the buyer does not yet have a wallet, a new one can be generated. After the purchase, a record of the bitcoin will appear in the customer's wallet, though this may take several minutes to process. Most bitcoin ATMs will set a lower and upper limit on the cash that can be deposited. All bitcoin ATM operators in the United States must register with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and comply with anti-money laundering provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).2 Depending on the transaction size, the bitcoin ATM may ask you for a mobile phone number to receive a text verification code. Or it may require you to scan government-issued identification, such as a driver's license, before completing a transaction.

Country-wise Existence

Cryptocurrency ATMs save the user's time and protect their privacy. These make for compelling reasons to not ignore ATMs with a BTC icon the next time you see them. Most likely, after the first experience of buying coins through a cryptocurrency ATM, you will never return to the online exchange. With 7.3 out of 10, the U.S. emerged on top of the Crypto head's ranking, mainly due to its abundance of crypto ATMs compared to other countries. As of 2021, the U.S. has an impressive 17,436 crypto ATMs in service, though that figure has nothing on the number of conventional ATMs scattered across the country which amounted to approximately 470,000 in 2018. Still, the machines' presence is growing steadily as companies such as coin cloud continue to expand their operations nationally. North of the U.S. border, Canada was the first country to approve regulation of cryptocurrencies in 2014 and it comes a distant second in the crypto ATM league with 1,464. The United Kingdom is in the third position with 200 machines.