Poland added 10 new Bitcoin ATMs on Jan. 27, bringing its total to 219 active machines and surpassing El Salvador as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency ATM network globally after the US, Canada, Australia and Spain.
Poland added 24 crypto ATMs in its ongoing four-month-long installation spree that began in October 2024. Numerous other countries, including current leaders Canada, Spain and Australia, continue to see an uptick in local active crypto ATMs month over month, according to Bitcoin ATM Radar data.
Net change of cryptocurrency machines number installed and removed monthly in Poland. Source: Bitcoin ATM Radar
Speaking to Cointelegraph, Salvadoran digital assets regulator Juan Carlos Reyes, the president of the National Commission of Digital Assets (NCDA), said he was “very happy to see that the adoption of Bitcoin continues to expand.”
El Salvador lags despite an impressive headstart
While the US and Canada dominate the global Bitcoin (BTC) ATM network with thousands of active machines, El Salvador was once the third-largest crypto ATM hub in October 2022 after installing 215 machines to support Bitcoin adoption.
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However, the country has not increased its existing capacity — a move contrasting other major economies.
Poland has installed 12 new ATMs in January alone, with more expected before the end of the month.
The increasing digitalization of payments is also reducing dependence on Bitcoin ATMs, according to Reyes:
“When visitors come to El Salvador, they’re often surprised by how seamlessly they can pay for coffee or groceries directly with their Bitcoin wallets, making ATMs less necessary for daily transactions. Our citizens have the freedom to use Bitcoin as they choose - whether for everyday purchases or as a long-term store of value.“
Check out Cointelegraph’s beginners’ guide to learn more about Bitcoin ATMs, how they work and how to use them.
Reduced dependence on Bitcoin ATMs
While crypto ATMs have no direct impact on local Bitcoin adoption, they provide grassroots exposure to citizens and help serve the unbanked.
Adding to this train of thought, Reyes said that comparing Bitcoin ATM numbers to overall Bitcoin adoption is like measuring phone access by counting landlines in the age of smartphones — it misses the bigger picture of how people actually use the technology:
“While Bitcoin ATMs provide a valuable service, particularly for cash transactions, they’re just one component of a broader payment ecosystem that continues to evolve based on how Salvadorans and visitors choose to use Bitcoin in their daily lives.”
Reyes shared an investment strategy he implements on a day-to-day basis, especially during the bull markets. The Salvadoran regulator allocates $1,000 in BTC and cashes out on small gains to fund daily expenses like coffee, explaining “a practical demonstration of how Bitcoin's appreciation can benefit everyday users.”
Monitoring Bitcoin ATM transactions
Regulators have expressed concerns about the potential misuse of crypto ATMs for money laundering and terrorism financing, but the machines remain a key infrastructure for cryptocurrency accessibility.
However, Reyes clarified there is a distinction between Bitcoin and crypto’s links to financial crime and money laundering :
“Saying ‘crypto ATMs enable money laundering’ is like saying ‘digital payments enable crime’ — it’s an overly broad statement that misunderstands the underlying technology.”
From a dual perspective as both a Bitcoiner and regulator. Reyes highlighted the need for striking a delicate balance. “In El Salvador, we’ve implemented a structured approach where Bitcoin ATM operators must adhere to global AML standards as regulated entities under our financial investigative unit,“ he said.
Reyes added that a balanced regulatory approach would need an understanding that Bitcoin’s traceable nature makes it fundamentally different from other digital assets, and regulatory approaches should reflect this distinction.
Roughly 38,100 crypto ATMs are currently active globally, spread across 65 countries and powered by 356 operators.
Australia has recorded the most consistent growth of crypto ATMs for nearly three years. The country joined the 1,000+ Bitcoin ATM club alongside the US and Canada in April 2024.
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