What are Bitcoin ATMs & How do they work?

What are Bitcoin ATMs? How do they work? Find out everything you need to know about Bitcoin ATMs in this article. 

What is a Bitcoin ATM?

Simply put, a Bitcoin ATM is a physical machine where you can purchase Bitcoin with cash or sell it and get cash in return. 

We’re talking about Bitcoin ATMs here, but it’s also possible to purchase or sell other cryptocurrencies with these ATMs. On the outside, these machines look just like your classic ATM. But of course, they are connected to your Bitcoin wallet instead of a traditional bank account. A great benefit of Bitcoin ATMs is that you can purchase Bitcoin incredibly fast and easily, without much hassle. Bitcoin ATMs are becoming increasingly popular, with the latest numbers reporting more than 35,000 of these machines worldwide. 

How do Bitcoin ATMs work?

Let's have a look at the two kinds of Bitcoin ATMs. Some only work one way. At these Bitcoin ATMs, you can only buy Bitcoin. And some are two-way Bitcoin ATMs, where you can both buy and sell Bitcoin. How do Bitcoin ATMs work? Well, to use a Bitcoin ATM, you first need a digital wallet. If you don’t already have a digital wallet, you’ll have to create one before you can buy or sell with a Bitcoin ATM. 

This isn’t as complicated as it sounds. If you’ve got your phone on you, you can create an account within a few minutes. There are several apps you can use to create your own digital wallet. Once your digital wallet is all set, and you’ve bought Bitcoin at the Bitcoin ATM, your purchase gets sent to your digital wallet and should appear there. 

Tips for using a Bitcoin ATM:

As mentioned before, you must have a digital wallet before using a Bitcoin ATM. Depending on the kind of digital wallet you’re creating, you might be obliged to take a picture of your license or a picture of yourself. 

• Once you’re at the Bitcoin ATM, you tap the screen to begin the process. 
• Depending on the brand of Bitcoin ATM you’re using, you can log in with your passcode or create a new profile. 
• Sometimes you need to fill in your personal information for this or provide your phone number - to confirm your identity. 
• You can then select how much money you’d like to spend and the type of cryptocurrency you want to buy. 
• Usually, you can also select where you’d like the coins to be sent. 
• When the purchase is complete, you receive a receipt. 

Yes, it’s really that simple! 

How to withdraw money from a Bitcoin ATM

Okay, so now that you know how to buy Bitcoin at a Bitcoin ATM, let’s go through the steps for transacting the other way around. How to sell Bitcoin at a Bitcoin ATM? As you may have guessed, withdrawing cash from a Bitcoin ATM is quite similar to buying Bitcoin from a Bitcoin ATM. 

• First, you need to find a Bitcoin ATM near you that allows you to sell Bitcoin. 
• Then you select the amount of bitcoin you wish to sell. As is the case with cryptocurrency generally, the amount of cash you get in return will depend on the current rate. 
• The machine will let you know how much your cryptocurrency is worth at that instant.
• You then enter your wallet address into the Bitcoin ATM and confirm your transaction. 
• The machine will then deliver the said amount of cash to you.

Why should you use a Bitcoin ATM?

Some people find the world of cryptocurrency daunting and complicated. Thanks to Bitcoin ATMs, cryptocurrencies of different types have become more accessible and easier to access for a lot more people. Bitcoin ATMs allow people to buy and sell cryptocurrency quickly and easily -We’re talking minutes! Another benefit of a Bitcoin ATM is that they’re often more private. Depending on the type of machine you’re using, you don’t have to disclose a lot of personal information. Sometimes just your phone number is enough. And another huge plus of Bitcoin ATMs is, of course, their convenience. Like most regular ATMs, they’re open and functioning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

The downsides of using a Bitcoin ATM

We’ve discussed in length how and why you should use a Bitcoin ATM, the merits of it, and more. But for you to make an informed decision, you must also know about the disadvantages or risks associated with Bitcoin ATMs. According to us, the most significant disadvantage is the fee charged. Using a Bitcoin ATM can be pretty costly, given that some brands charge a fee of up to 20% for every transaction. 

Next, even though Bitcoin ATMs are growing spectacularly in numbers, you might not happen to have one near you. Especially if you don’t live in a big city or a comparatively populated area. And lastly, Bitcoin ATM machines can sometimes break down or even can get stolen - This has happened before! 

Is it safe to use a Bitcoin ATM?

In most cases, using a Bitcoin ATM to buy and sell Bitcoin is considered to be safe. However, because these machines make it so easy to trade cash bills for cryptocurrency within minutes and without a lot of personal information required, concerns have been raised about the safeguards in place, especially against criminal activity. 

However, these concerns aren’t unique to Bitcoin ATMs and concern cryptocurrency in general. As we have seen in the recent past, crypto-issuing companies are constantly enhancing their safety measures. We can assume similar safety measures are in place, even when it comes to Bitcoin ATMs. Having said that, there may be some differences between the Bitcoin ATM machines based on the brand, so it is always advisable to do some research beforehand.  

Want to trade Bitcoin like a pro?

After reading this article, you may be more confident in using a Bitcoin ATM. Or maybe you already own Bitcoins. In any case, what’s next? How can you make your assets grow? You could learn to trade these by yourself or have automated trading bots do the work for you! Bots are better at trading than humans but don’t take our word for it. Explore the BOTS app for yourself. Opening your automated trading account will only take you a few minutes, and you can start investing from as little as €5. Start your trading journey by learning more about how the BOTS app works!

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Disclaimer:

This blog is for educational purposes only. The information we offer does not constitute investment advice. Please always do your own research before investing.

Any views expressed in this blog and by BOTS do not constitute a recommendation that any particular cryptocurrency (or cryptocurrency token/asset/index), portfolio of cryptocurrencies, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.