Which countries have the most crypto ATMs? [Infographic]

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According to a study recently published by the crypto education platform Crypto Head, the United States is the most “crypto-ready” country in the world. The analysis looked at various factors impacting cryptocurrencies in different countries, such as public interest, the government’s legal position on digital currency ownership, as well as accessibility, especially the prevalence of cryptographic ATMs. Surprisingly, a crypto ATM is actually a real physical device that allows people to buy Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and other crypto currencies with cash or their debit or credit cards. Some models are two-way and also allow the sale of digital currencies for cash.

With 7.3 out of 10, the United States topped the Crypto Head ranking, mainly due to their abundance of crypto ATMs compared to other countries. As of 2021, the United States had a staggering 17,436 crypto ATMs in operation, although that figure has nothing to do with the number of conventional ATMs scattered across the country, which stood at around 470. 000 in 2018. Yet the presence of the machines is steadily increasing as companies such as Coin Cloud continue to expand operations nationwide. North of the US border, Canada was the first country to approve cryptocurrency regulation in 2014 and comes far second in the crypto ATM league with 1,464. The UK is in third place with 200 machines.

The downside of crypto ATMs is that they are increasingly used for money laundering. This became clearer during the pandemic when Covid-19 shut down cross-border shipments between the United States and Mexico, prompting criminals to embrace digital currencies to transfer large amounts of money across the border without the need for physical transport. No statistics have been published regarding these crimes but the authorities take them seriously. In Vancouver, which saw the very first crypto ATM, there were discussions about banning the machines due to money laundering concerns.

* Click below to enlarge (represented by Statista).

Cryptographic ATMs operational by country / territory in 2021.

Statistical

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