Crypto exchanges have been the primary gateway for interested individuals to acquire digital assets since the emergence of Bitcoin over a decade ago. That said, such online platforms still require a baseline of digital literacy and verification that excludes some people.
In response, bitcoin ATMs appeared on the scene as a community-minded solution, bringing crypto commerce directly to neighborhoods via an intuitive cash-based model. Their family-friendly storefront presence and walk-up trade mechanics have made ATMs incredibly popular, with over 40,000 machines now operating globally.
As the infrastructure expands, certain cryptocurrencies continue to reappear consistently among available options. We’ll take a look at some of the digital assets commonly offered for purchase via Bitcoin ATMs just about anywhere.
Table of Contents
1. Bitcoin
Unsurprisingly, Bitcoin is nearly universally supported by crypto ATMs. As the first and largest cryptocurrency by total value, bitcoin paved the way for this innovative technology.
It remains the most established and widely recognized digital asset around the world. For risk-averse beginners intrigued by crypto, starting with Bitcoin is often the safest bet.
2. Ethereum
While younger than Bitcoin, Ethereum has emerged as the dominant platform for decentralized applications or “dapps”. It’s the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization as of this writing.
Ethereum’s smart contracts functionality has powered uses like non-fungible tokens and decentralized finance. Ether, its native cryptocurrency, is commonly offered at Bitcoin ATMs for those interested in this versatile blockchain ecosystem.
3. Litecoin
Created to serve as “silver to bitcoin’s gold,” Litecoin shares some technical similarities but processes transactions faster. It aims to be a lighter and less expensive option for payments and money transfers.
This cryptocurrency has served as a testing ground for upgrades later implemented by Bitcoin, like SegWit. Litecoin remains one of the more widely available cryptocurrency choices at many in-person exchange points.
4. Dogecoin
While initially created as a parody of Bitcoin, Dogecoin has emerged with a devoted following attracted to its lighthearted spirit. Using the popular “Doge” meme as its mascot, Dogecoin transactions are faster though with an uncapped supply, meaning more coins will continually be added to circulation over time.
Supporters cite its inexpensive transactions as useful for tipping creators and its generous philanthropic community. Dogecoin is often supported by Bitcoin ATM to appeal to fans of this unique cryptocurrency project.
Other Crypto Coins You Can Get at a Bitcoin ATM
Beyond the big four, some Bitcoin ATMs offer additional cryptocurrency choices. Popular investment options like Chainlink and Polygon are sometimes available as well to round out portfolios.
Polygon is an Ethereum scaling platform that offers faster transaction speeds and lower gas fees. Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that connects smart contracts to external data.
Meanwhile, Stellar Lumens focuses on accessibility and facilitating low-cost international money transfers through its fast and reliable network. As Bitcoin ATM technology matures, the array of coins supported will likely evolve to meet customer demand.
The Bottom Line
Bitcoin ATMs have lowered traditional barriers to participation by simplifying the onboarding process and enabling easy exchange of cash for popular digital assets. As the ATM network expands under operators like Coinme, access points are growing nearer to more communities daily. Their improving reliability and expansive global presence will continue ushering fresh participants forward into this blossoming financial technology space.