The Rise of Bitcoin ATMs

From March 1, 2020, till now, the number of Bitcoin ATMs globally has witnessed an astonishing surge, nearing 10,000 new installations. According to Coin ATM Radar, there are currently 16,835 machines in operation around the world, marking a robust 57.5% increase compared to last year’s count of just 7,152.

The American Dominance

The United States has emerged as a true leader in the crypto ATM space, housing an astounding 81% of all Bitcoin ATMs globally. As of March 10, 2021, there are 13,699 machines in the U.S., reflecting a jaw-dropping growth of 177% since the emergence of the pandemic. That means the land of burgers and baseball has gone from 4,945 machines to a staggering count in just a year!

Canada and Beyond: A Comparative Look

While Canada has joined the party with 1,268 ATMs, making up about 7.5% of the global total, other countries are making headlines too. For instance, if you look towards Europe, Austria and the UK have shown some wild ups and downs in terms of installations that leave us raising our eyebrows.

• Austrian Average: Machines peaked at 266 in May 2019, but now stand at a mere 153, reflecting a hefty decline of 42.5%.
• British Blip: The UK experienced a drop from 283 in February 2020 to 199, a decrease of just under 30%.

European ATM Dynamics

Looking at the bigger picture for Europe, the trend shows a more stable, albeit modest, rise over the past year. The total number of machines has crept up from 1,233 in March 2020 to 1,273 now. It seems like the European nations are taking a more cautious yet steady approach amid the crypto frenzy.

Daily Growth Rate and Operational Insights

According to Coin ATM Radar, a staggering 34.6 new ATMs are being installed each day! Most of these machines, around 77.6%, are buy-only, while the remaining 22.4% allow both buying and selling operations. So, while most folks are just buying up crypto like it’s candy, others are making the most of their Bitcoin without a sugar rush!

Outside the North American Bubble

Let’s not forget about some standout countries beyond North America and Europe. Hong Kong comes in with 85 machines, the Russian Federation has 53, and Colombia rounds out the list with 46. While these numbers are dwarfed by those in the U.S. and Canada, they show that Bitcoin ATMs are slowly but surely sprouting around the globe!