Bitcoin ATM Radar and How Bitcoin ATMs Work

Bitcoin ATM Radar, also known as automated teller machines, is where users may use cash or a debit card to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Bidirectional capability allows buying and selling Bitcoin for cash at certain Bitcoin ATMs. Certain Bitcoin ATM operators mandate that customers have an active account to conduct transactions on the device.

How to start a Bitcoin ATM business?

Our industry statistics for Bitcoin ATMs show that the number of Bitcoin ATM installations globally is rising. What are the key considerations and decisions need to be made in advance for someone who wishes to operate their own Bitcoin ATM or install a Bitcoin machine at an already-existing local business?

Regulation

One aspect of the Bitcoin space that has gained prominence in recent years is regulation. The Bitcoin ATM industry is not an anomaly. You must get specific licenses in many countries, such as MSB or others, to run such a company. Operating a Bitcoin ATM in violation of the law might have negative consequences. Therefore, the laws governing such operations are the first things you should look into if you want to operate a Bitcoin ATM in your area.

Bank relationships

You must have a bank account to run a Bitcoin ATM. There have been some suggestions for creating an “unbanked” Bitcoin ATM. Still, they are more of a nice-to-have than a workable solution these days (some Bitcoin ATMs come equipped with bill recyclers, but no specific software is available to dynamically define the buy/sell prices based on cash/Bitcoin balances; additionally, local demand is limited, and the user base for Bitcoin ATMs is relatively small in comparison to widely accessible online services, which could lead to incorrect price discovery at a given machine).

Location

This is not a matter to consider if you are a brick-and-mortar business owner because you most likely want to locate it there. Installing a Bitcoin ATM might draw more customers into your business and generate more income. Other business owners who have installed Bitcoin ATMs claim that the additional revenue they receive from new users may boost sales by 10% to 30%.

Based on the data we gather from the website, the following is a list of the top 5 Bitcoin ATM locations:

  • Restaurant/pizzeria 12%
  • Cafe/coffee shop/gelateria 9%
  • BTC embassy/company office 7%
  • Shopping mall 7%
  • Supermarket/food store / Deli 6%
  • So all are mostly high-traffic businesses, where people go daily.

Bitcoin ATM type

The second concern is the kind of Bitcoin ATM to select. For example, there are broad categories like one-way and two-way. Thus, you will need to hunt for a more expensive two-way solution if you would like to allow consumers to sell Bitcoins in addition to buying them. Based on the total number of installations around the globe, 22% of Bitcoin machines are bidirectional, whereas 58% are exclusively one-way.

Operator information indicates that the current split between buy and sell operations is unequal, with purchase activities dominating 90% of buy operations and 10% of sale operations on average. However, user behavior may shift significantly amid large price fluctuations, such as the recent one in October 2015. Numerous operators reported a sharp decline in Bitcoin purchase transactions, while sales operations sharply surged (resulting in a volume ratio of around 50/50). It is preferable to provide both alternatives to avoid missing out on possibilities in the turbulent market; however, in “normal” times, a one-way Bitcoin ATM may also generate consistent revenue. We are still in the “enter Bitcoin” phase for the typical consumer.

List of Top Bitcoin ATM Providers

Here is a list of the best Bitcoin ATM companies currently available which can be suggested. Every vendor has a long and successful track record in the market:

  • Genesis Coin: offers the Satoshi1 one-way solution for $6.8K and the Satoshi2 two-way machine for $: offers the BATMTwo one-way Bitcoin ATM for 2849 USD and the BATMThreeL (basic version) two-way Bitcoin ATM for $7K. 
  • The BATMThree model family comes in various configurations depending on your selected hardware.
  • Lamassu offers a one-way Douro system for $6.5K. For an extra $5.5K, a two-way Santo Tirso stand may be purchased, bringing the total cost of the two-way Lamassu solution to $12K.
  • For $7K, BitAccess offers a two-way Bitcoin ATM.
  • In terms of cost, BitAccess for two-way machines and General Bytes for one-way solutions are the least expensive. But, the characteristics could differ, so it’s important to consider all your alternatives to select the best one for your needs.

Many operators have added support for cryptocurrencies on their computers since the beginning of 2017 due to the very contentious scaling issue, which decreased the dominance rates of Bitcoin in the market. For instance, as of February 2018, 44% of all PCs support at least one cryptocurrency besides Bitcoin. It’s crucial to select a manufacturer who offers assistance for the cryptocurrency of your choice if you intend to assist with altcoin buy/sell activities.

Volume and Fee size

A business strategy and profitability assessment must be completed beforehand to launch a new venture. With the help of CoinATMRadar’s Bitcoin ATM profitability calculator, you can quickly estimate expenses and get a comprehensive ROI report.

More in-depth information can be found in two blog posts: actual instances of the volume that Bitcoin ATMs deliver to operators at various sites and theoretical profitability estimates.

Based on conversations with operators, the market’s typical metrics are as follows: It takes around six months for a location’s marketing and advertising to attain the desired volume. Thus, maintaining the machine in the same spot is crucial.

An average Bitcoin ATM’s monthly volume is around $30,000. This number, which may change, is very reasonable and may serve as a foundation for projections beginning in month six.

The average Bitcoin ATM cost is 5.5% for sale transactions and 7.5% for buy transactions. Remember that these fees are skewed to the degree that the data used to compute them comes from operators who choose to disclose costs. Those who demand a premium typically don’t file reports. We’ve seen that costs between 15 and 25 percent are becoming more common, particularly in times of strong demand (May 2017 or December 2017).

Proper customer support services

Keeping your clients satisfied is crucial when operating a Bitcoin ATM. The operator must monitor the machine’s functionality, the presence of Bitcoin money, etc. Unfavorable press travels rather rapidly. The device should include phone and email capabilities. We advise adding it to the listing on our website as well.

A voting feature for Bitcoin ATMs was recently enabled, making it possible to monitor consumer input. To collect more feedback and closely monitor the machine’s status, operators can post a printed QR code that links to their machine listing on our website (see the Bitcoin ATM page for the connection).

Conclusion

Automated kiosks, known as Bitcoin ATMs, let customers buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies using cash or a debit card. Some include bidirectional capability that makes it possible to buy and sell Bitcoin for real money. Establishing a Bitcoin ATM company involves adhering to local laws, establishing bank connections, and choosing a site. Top Bitcoin ATM suppliers are BitAccess, Genesis Coin, Lamassu, and BATMTwo.Currently, purchase activities predominate over sale operations, with no equal division between the two. However, it is preferable to offer both choices when prices fluctuate. Top Bitcoin ATM suppliers are BitAccess, Genesis Coin, Lamassu, and BATMTwo.

It’s critical to anticipate revenue and have a preliminary business strategy before launching a Bitcoin ATM. The typical monthly throughput of a Bitcoin ATM is around $30K, and the fees for purchase and sell transactions are now 5.5% and 7.5%, respectively.

Running a Bitcoin ATM requires proper customer support services since operators need to monitor the machine’s performance and ensure Bitcoin funds are available. Voting capability for Bitcoin ATMs was recently enabled, making it possible to track consumer input.

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FAQs

What is the best Bitcoin ATM to use?

Your location and particular demands will be prominent in selecting the finest Bitcoin ATM. Using real-time mapping applications such as Coin ATM Radar or Bitcoin ATM Map is the most efficient way to locate a Bitcoin ATM in your area.

How do I send money to a Bitcoin ATM?

You may use cash to purchase Bitcoin. You may use your Bitcoin wallet to sell Bitcoins by either scanning a QR code or manually inputting the address. 

Do I need an account to use a Bitcoin ATM?

Not all Bitcoin ATMs need you to register for an account, while some could. Most ATMs need you to provide an SMS verification number to begin purchasing Bitcoin.

How do I use a Bitcoin ATM with a debit card?

Generally speaking, most Bitcoin ATMs only accept cash. If you cannot locate one that accepts card payments for Bitcoin purchases, you can withdraw money from your bank account using a fiat currency ATM before using it to purchase Bitcoins at a BTC ATM. 

How much Bitcoin can you send in a single transaction via a crypto ATM?

Each Bitcoin ATM operator (Bitcoin Depot, Coin Cloud, etc.) has limits you can look up on their websites.

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