NAIROBI, Kenya – Machines that convert cash into Bitcoin in minutes: crypto ATMs are the physical embodiment of an intangible revolution.
Their global rollout is growing at record speed, with 38,279 units in operation in 2025, a 17.8% increase from 2024, nearing the all-time high of 39,541 recorded in 2022, according to AUSTRAC and Chainalysis.
This phenomenon is redefining financial access in fragile economies and boosting digital tourism, but it also faces regulatory and security challenges. Where do things currently stand?
Numbers That Show the Global Boom
- Australia: Leading growth with 1,819 ATMs in 2025 (vs. 23 in 2019), processing AUD 275 million annually across 150,000 transactions. Each device handles an average of AUD 1,833 daily.
- Latin America: Mexico ranks 14th globally with 90+ ATMs, followed by Brazil (70+), Argentina, and Colombia. The region reports a 40% increase in crypto-based remittances, with Argentina alone reaching USD 91.1 billion in volume in 2024.
- European Union: The EU is also a leader in crypto ATM adoption, but faces strict regulations. The MiCA regulation will eliminate anonymity for transactions over €990 starting March 2025, requiring full KYC verification. Spain implemented this system in January 2024, while Poland postponed it to 2025, according to Bitomat.
Table: Global Snapshot of Crypto ATMs (Spherical Insights, 2023–2025)
| Region | ATMs (2023) | ATMs (2025) | Annual Volume |
| Australia | 1,600 | 1,819 | AUD 275M |
| USA | 31,000+ | 31,400+ | No data* |
| Mexico | 45 | 90+ | USD 12M (remittances) |
| EU (Spain) | 200+ | 313 | €5M+ (estimated) |
*The U.S. hosts 82% of global crypto ATMs but does not report aggregated volumes.
Opportunities: Inclusion and Friction Reduction
Denise Cinelli, COO of CryptoMKT and Country Manager in Brazil, highlights the transformative role of these machines in underbanked economies:
“Cryptocurrencies enable payments and collections without a bank account. In Latin America, we’re seeing adoption grow for daily transactions due to their speed and low cost.”
This potential is reflected in:
- Borderless remittances: In El Salvador, crypto ATMs lower fees on transfers, which make up 24% of GDP. A tourist can convert euros to BTC in Madrid and withdraw dollars in San Salvador — no intermediaries needed.
- Financial inclusion: 84% of daily crypto use in LATAM is concentrated in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia, where crypto ATMs supplement limited banking services.
- Business efficiency: “They eliminate intermediaries and reduce costs tied to traditional systems,” adds Cinelli. Platforms like CryptoMKT are developing APIs to convert crypto to local currency in real time, easing adoption in retail.
The Future: Complement or Obsolescence?
The global crypto ATM market will reach USD 820 million by 2030, according to Coin ATM Radar, with a CAGR of 54.2% since 2021. For Cinelli, these machines are:
“A valuable entry point, especially in regions with limited financial access or emerging digital infrastructure.”
But she cautions:
“Their expansion also brings challenges: solid infrastructure, strict compliance, and user education are essential to avoid mistakes or fraud.”
She adds:
“At CryptoMKT, we see ATMs as a complementary solution that can coexist with more scalable tools like digital wallets, mobile apps, or integrations with point-of-sale systems, which offer a more complete, efficient, and market-ready experience.”
The 38,279 crypto ATMs operating in 2025 are more than just machines, they are symbols of a hybrid financial system where cash and blockchain coexist.
Despite the challenges, their deployment continues unabated, proving that in a world where physical money still reigns, these devices are catalysts for inclusion, speed, and financial sovereignty.
