Poland has overtaken El Salvador to become the world’s fifth-largest hub for Bitcoin ATM, with a total of 219 operational machines following a four-month surge in installations.
On January 27, Poland expanded its crypto ATM network by adding 10 new machines, elevating its total count to 219. This milestone places Poland ahead of El Salvador in global rankings, trailing only the United States, Canada, Australia, and Spain.
Since October 2024, Poland has installed 24 new cryptocurrency ATMs, reflecting a steady expansion. Meanwhile, countries such as Canada, Spain, and Australia continue to see month-over-month increases in their local ATM networks, according to Bitcoin ATM Radar data.
El Salvador’s Slower Growth Despite Early Start
While the US and Canada remain dominant in the global Bitcoin ATM landscape with thousands of active machines, El Salvador was once the third-largest hub in October 2022, boasting 215 machines to promote Bitcoin adoption. However, the country’s network has remained stagnant, contrasting with the continued growth in other major economies.
Poland, in contrast, installed 12 ATMs in January alone, with further expansion anticipated before the month’s end.
El Salvador’s digital asset regulator, Juan Carlos Reyes, shared his perspective with Crypto Business Hub, expressing satisfaction with Bitcoin’s continued global adoption. He also noted that the increasing use of digital payments within the country has reduced the necessity of ATMs for daily transactions.
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“When visitors arrive in El Salvador, they’re often surprised by how easy it is to pay for coffee or groceries directly with Bitcoin wallets. This reduces the need for ATMs in routine purchases,” Reyes explained. “Our citizens have the freedom to use Bitcoin as they prefer – whether for everyday spending or as a long-term investment.”
The Role of Crypto ATMs in Adoption
Although the presence of Bitcoin ATMs does not directly drive local adoption, they play a crucial role in increasing public exposure to digital currencies and providing financial services to the unbanked population.
Comparing the number of crypto ATMs to Bitcoin adoption rates, Reyes likened it to assessing mobile access by counting landline phones in an era dominated by smartphones.
“Bitcoin ATMs are just one part of a broader ecosystem that evolves based on how people choose to use Bitcoin in daily life,” he said.
Reyes also shared his personal investment approach, particularly during bullish market phases. He allocates $1,000 in Bitcoin and capitalizes on small price gains to cover daily expenses, demonstrating Bitcoin’s practical applications.
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Total Number of Crypto ATM Globally
Regulatory Considerations and ATM Monitoring
Concerns around crypto ATMs being used for illicit activities, such as money laundering and terrorism financing, have been raised by regulators. Despite this, these machines remain essential for cryptocurrency accessibility.
Reyes addressed these concerns, arguing that broad claims linking Bitcoin ATMs to financial crimes misunderstand the underlying technology.
“Saying ‘crypto ATMs enable money laundering’ is like saying ‘digital payments enable crime’—it’s an oversimplification that ignores how the system actually works,” he stated.
In El Salvador, operators of Bitcoin ATMs are required to comply with international anti-money laundering (AML) standards under the jurisdiction of the country’s financial investigative unit. Reyes emphasized the importance of a well-balanced regulatory framework that acknowledges Bitcoin’s transparent nature and differentiates it from other digital assets.
Currently, approximately 38,100 cryptocurrency ATMs are in operation worldwide, spanning 65 countries and maintained by 356 operators.
Among nations experiencing steady crypto ATM expansion, Australia has demonstrated the most consistent growth over the past three years. In April 2024, it joined the ranks of countries with over 1,000 active Bitcoin ATMs, alongside the US and Canada.
