Bitcoin ATMs – A Beginner’s Guide

Past: Ofir Beigel | Last updated: 12/13/22

Bitcoin ATMs let users purchase and sell Bitcoin with cash, with relative anonymity. In this postal service, I’ll cover the unlike Bitcoin ATMs around, their pros and cons and also testify you how to detect a Bitcoin ATM near your home.

Bitcoin ATM Summary

Bitcoin ATMs, too known equally BTMs, are machines that accept greenbacks and dispense Bitcoin in return. Some ATMs also buy Bitcoin from y’all and dispense cash in return.

Due to their anonymous nature, nearly Bitcoin ATMs have strict buying limits, with some even requiring a KYC process. Here are the superlative Bitcoin ATMs effectually:

That’s Bitcoin ATMs in a nutshell. If yous want a more detailed review nearly BTMs go on on reading, here’s what I’ll cover:

What is a Bitcoin ATM?
How to Use a Bitcoin ATM?
Best Bitcoin ATMs
Bitcoin ATM Manufacturers
Bitcoin ATM Locations
Operating Your Ain Bitcoin ATM
Conclusion

ane. What is a Bitcoin ATM?

A Bitcoin ATM acts like a physical Bitcoin exchange where you can buy and sell Bitcoin with greenbacks. The world’s first Bitcoin ATM was opened on Oct 29, 2013, at Waves Coffee Store in Vancouver, Canada. Bitcoin ATMs often consist of a scanner, a greenbacks dispenser, and a computer to manage the transactions.

How Bitcoin ATMs Work

Bitcoin is dispensed either to the buyer’s ain Bitcoin wallet (via scanned QR code on the heir-apparent’s mobile device or newspaper wallet) or to a paper wallet generated and printed by the ATM at the time of purchase.

The price of the purchase is dependent on the current Bitcoin exchange charge per unit, which the ATM retrieves from the internet in real-time. An boosted percentage fee is charged by the ATM for the service, which is also factored into the price.

Do Bitcoin ATMs Requite Greenbacks?

Some BTMs piece of work both means – significant they can manipulate Bitcoin in exchange for cash and they can also dispense cash in substitution for Bitcoin. However, near models piece of work but for buying Bitcoin.

How much fee practise Bitcoin ATMs charge?

Bitcoin ATMs charge an average fee of xv%. However, this is a rough average and the fees vary betwixt ATMs, with some charging as much equally xx% or more. Make sure to read the instructions and fees on the machine before starting the process.

2. How Do I Use a Bitcoin ATM?

While each BTM is different, the buying process in all of them is basically the same:

Cull “Buy Bitcoin”
Scan the QR code of your Bitcoin address with the BTM scanner
Depending on the ATM and jurisdiction, you may need to provide identification
Enter the amount y’all want to purchase
Insert cash to the BTM
Wait for the car to process the transaction
Check your Bitcoin wallet for the transaction confirmation

The process of selling Bitcoin to a Bitcoin ATM is much more diverse and depends on the specific BTM, however, these machines are pretty intuitive to use so simply follow the instructions on the screen.

3. Best Bitcoin ATMs

General Bytes

General Bytes, a Czech based company, is the world’s largest Bitcoin, blockchain and cryptocurrency ATM manufacturer. The company has sold over thirteen,300 machines in over 143 countries.

Their Bitcoin ATMs back up over 180 different fiat currencies and over 40 different cryptocurrencies. The company manufactures three chief BTM models:

BATMTwo

The BATMTwo is their most popular model and is designed to be securely mounted on a wall or optional stand up. It supports but buying cryptocurrencies and has a built-in finger scanner for AML/KYC compliance. The BATMTwo costs around $3,649.

At that place are likewise two updated versions of the BATMTwo, the BATMTwoPro ($4,799) and BATMTwoUltra ($4,999). The BATMTwo has a larger screen and updated banknote validators to flawlessly identify fake and damaged notes. The BATMTwoUltra is a more meaty version of the BATMTwo just also offers bi-directional transactions, meaning that it can convert cash to crypto every bit well equally converting crypto to greenbacks.

BATMThree

The BATMThree has an updated design, a 23″ FullHD display and is a fully-mounted BTM. This Bitcoin ATM offers both buying and selling of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Unlike the BATMTwo, this model tin also issue users an NFC carte that contains a private key which they can use subsequently to send or receive Bitcoin by placing the card on the NFC reader. The BATMTHREE costs around $half-dozen,698.

BATMFour

The BATMFour is the latest model from General Bytes, matching all of the BATMThree’s features in a new design. It allows both the buying and selling of cryptocurrency, plus the option of private configuration and retails for $7,198.

Genesis Coin

Genesis Coin Inc., based in San Diego US, is the second most popular Bitcoin ATM manufacturer. The visitor supplies iii different BTM models:

Genesis1

A 2-style Bitcoin ATM (buy and sell) packed with additional features such as a bill validator, barcode scanner, EMV card reader, fingerprint reader (optional) and a thermal printer. The Gensis1 costs $14,500.

Satoshi1

The Satoshi1 comes in both a 1-fashion or 2-way model. This machine is much smaller than the Genesis1 and has a 21’’ screen, a high definition photographic camera and an optional fingerprint scanner. The Satoshi1 costs $7,380, with additional costs of effectually $2,100 if a cash dispenser is required.

Finney3

The Finney3 is the newest and smallest BTM from Genesis Money. This 1-way BTM has a 21’’ screen and similar features equally the Satoshi1, simply it’s smaller and should exist mounted due to its size. The Finney3 costs $4,500.

Lamassu

Lamassu, a Swiss company, is the oldest BTM manufacturer around (since 2013). Lamassu machines are open-source and support Bitcoin, Zcash, Ethereum, Bitcoin Greenbacks, Litecoin, Monero and Dash. You can add together additional coins manually if needed. Lamassu has four dissimilar Bitcoin ATM models:

Tejo

The latest model from Lamassu, the Tejo is designed for simplicity and elegance with its steel construction. This BTM comes as a 1-fashion (€6,200) or 2-way (€7,700).

Gaia

Designed to exist wall-mounted or table-mounted and weighing only 25 kgs, Gaia tin fit into a flight case. Gaia is a purchase only Bitcoin ATM and information technology costs €3,800.
gaia

Sintra

Made from sheets of two.5mm steel and an all-drinking glass user interface, the Sintra has a custom computer board with battery backup, 3G connectivity, tamper sensors, and front door control. This is a 1 or ii-manner Bitcoin ATM that is beautifully designed. The i-way model costs €v,800 while the ii-way model costs €seven,300.
sintra

Sintra Forte

The Sintra Forte is about twenty% larger than the Sintra and includes a vault controlled by an electronic lock. The vault is constructed from 6mm hardened steel and contains the note validator, note dispenser, and computer board. This BTM as well comes every bit a one-way (€6,560) or 2-mode (€8,000).
sintraF

four. All Bitcoin ATM Manufacturers

In that location are well-nigh xxx Bitcoin ATM manufacturers. Here’south a list of all of them:

General Bytes
Genesis Coin
Lamassu
BitAccess
Coinsource
Covault
Social club Bob ATM
Digital Mint
Shitcoins Club
Coinme
Bytefederal
zzBit
wBTCb
RusBit
BTC facil
BBFPro
Bcash Hellenic republic Inc
Intellogate
BitTeller
Bitstop
ChainBytes
Bitnovo
Vault Logic
Trovemat
CoinLogiq
Open Bitcoin ATM
CryptoMatic ATM
CryptoGo
BitOcean

v. Where Tin I Find a Bitcoin ATM?

Here’s a complete list of Bitcoin ATMs around the world, courtesy of CoinATMRadar. But observe your location and see where the nearest Bitcoin ATM is to you.

If you are in the Us, try out i of Coinflip’southward ATMs that currently offers 10% off transaction fees when you use promo code “99BTC”.

The map also allows you to search for Altcoin ATMs if you want to purchase/sell other cryptos. Every ATM takes a commission from each trade, the corporeality varies from one device to some other, so make sure you’re aware of the fees which are usually stated on the machine.

vi. Regulations for Operating a Bitcoin ATM in the U.s.a.

Below are four key elements around which you tin build your compliance strategy, prior to launching a Bitcoin ATM:

Research coin transmitter requirements in the state of functioning

It’southward of import to understand that some states are friendlier to Bitcoin ATMs, or Bitcoin in general, than others. This could mean the difference between a comprehensive and costly state licensure process and an exemption nether state coin transmitter law.

The differences are equally vast and they are e’er-changing. States keep to evolve their application of existing and antiquated money manual law.

As of September 2020, 49 states share unified regulation for cryptocurrency firms, so as to conform bitcoin companies.

That said, information technology’s vital to understand the requirements in your state. You can cheque the latest laws that are applicable to your specific state here.

Register as a coin services business (MSB) with FinCEN

It might be hard to believe, just registering with FinCEN, the nation’s acme money laundering watchdog, might be the easiest compliance task. It’s literally a “check-the-box” activity. Indeed, in contrast to the permission-based state licensure procedure, at the federal level, entities simply register with FinCEN via an online portal.

The procedure can typically exist completed in under an hour. While registering with FinCEN is a uncomplicated do, information technology comes with much responsibility. By checking the boxes, and so to speak, you are agreeing to exist regulated past FinCEN and thus to run into certain requirements to the satisfaction of regulators.

This includes, amid other things, registering at the state-level, if applicative: Developing and implementing an anti-coin laundering (AML) plan, retaining sure transactional information, and reporting suspicious action and transactions over $ten,000.

Implement an anti-money laundering (AML) program

FinCEN regulation requires implementation of a written AML program. An effective AML program is ane designed to prevent your Bitcoin ATM from being used to facilitate coin laundering activities. Each AML program must exist in writing and address, at minimum, the “iv pillars” as follows:

Comprise policies, procedures, and internal controls reasonably designed to assure compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)
Designate a compliance officer responsible for day-to-twenty-four hour period compliance with the BSA and AML program.
Provide ongoing, targeted preparation to advisable personnel concerning their responsibilities nether the AML program.
Provide for an independent review or audit of your AML program on an annual footing, at minimum.

Test your AML program

Start by running some sample transactions from your Bitcoin wallet through the terminal(due south). Be certain to test your thresholds to ensure that proper know your customer (KYC) requirements are triggered, as well equally any “ruby-red flag” indicators of potentially suspicious or unusual activity.

Be certain to confirm that customer and transaction information is properly obtained and recorded. In and so doing, certificate your findings, especially whatsoever subsequent changes to your AML program every bit a result of this testing.

7. Conclusion

Bitcoin ATMs are a very user-friendly style to buy and fifty-fifty sell Bitcoin very quickly and sometimes fifty-fifty anonymously. While almost BTMs operate more or less the same style, it’s always recommended to check for the fees on the BTM you’re planning to utilize.

Besides, equally a precaution, I’d even video the whole buying process so yous’ll have proof if something goes wrong.

A special thanks to Joe Ciccolo, the founder & president of BitAML for adding his knowledge about Bitcoin ATM regulations. He tin can be reached at
[email protected]. Take you had any experience with Bitcoin ATMs? I’d love to hear it in the comment section below.