{"id":174116,"date":"2024-10-31T12:29:16","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T12:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crypto-economy.com\/?p=174116"},"modified":"2024-10-31T12:29:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T12:29:20","slug":"coinme-founder-neil-bergquist-bitcoin-atms-are-essential-to-crypto-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crypto-economy.com\/coinme-founder-neil-bergquist-bitcoin-atms-are-essential-to-crypto-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Coinme Founder Neil Bergquist: Bitcoin ATMs Are ‘Essential’ to Crypto Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"
Neil Bergquist, co-founder and CEO of crypto exchange Coinme, was a big believer in bitcoin ATMs before it was cool, launching the company\u2019s first machine in crypto\u2019s early days in 2013.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBitcoin ATMs are essential to the crypto economy,\u201d<\/span> wrote <\/span>Bergquist in a recent op-ed<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> \u201cThey serve as an on-ramp for fiat (dollars) to enter the crypto ecosystem, accelerating crypto adoption and giving unbanked or underbanked consumers access to financial services. Some bitcoin ATMs offer the sale of crypto for cash, serving as a fiat off-ramp and offering fast access to money.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Bergquist notes that there are currently just over 37,000 dedicated crypto ATMs worldwide, with 31,006 located in the United States alone. Coinme now operates the<\/span> largest retail cryptocurrency exchange<\/span><\/a> network globally, with over 40,000 locations where people can buy and sell digital assets using cash, many of which are existing Coinstar kiosks and Moneygram locations that can now act as bitcoin-to-cash exchanges using an API developed by Coinme. This extensive network positions the company at the forefront of the growing crypto ATM market, which, according to Bergquist, is projected to reach $16.85 billion by 2033.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the key advantages of bitcoin ATMs is their ability to serve as both an entry and exit point for the cryptocurrency ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n This two-way functionality addresses a significant barrier to cryptocurrency adoption: the perceived difficulty of converting digital assets back into traditional currency. For many potential users, the knowledge that they can quickly and easily exchange their crypto for cash could provide flexibility and a sense that they have access to their assets when they need them.<\/span><\/p>\n Bergquist noted that crypto can also facilitate fast<\/span> cross-border transactions<\/span><\/a> without the need for traditional banking intermediaries, potentially cutting down on transfer fees for those sending remittances from the U.S. to areas such as Latin America.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the growing popularity of crypto, misconceptions persist. Bergquist addressed some of these in a recent interview, particularly the notion that digital currencies lack intrinsic value, or that they might be more susceptible to fluctuations in price.<\/span><\/p>\n But unlike fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar or the Mexican peso, crypto has proven<\/span> resilient to inflation<\/span><\/a> and is often used as a store of value. And it continues to build a foundation of more widespread investor support.<\/span><\/p>\n “When people say that it’s not backed by anything, they’re frankly just wrong,” Bergquist says. “It might not be backed by things that you are traditionally familiar with. The dollar was backed by gold, but it’s not anymore. And so what is the dollar backed by? It’s backed by the U.S. government, specifically the brand of the U.S. government.”<\/span><\/p>\n He argues that bitcoin’s value stems from its community and the demand generated by that community. “Bitcoin is backed by its code and community. That community and enthusiasm is an asset. You can see the asset when you go to a conference. You can see it when you read online, you can see the asset of community when you talk to people on the streets.”<\/span><\/p>\n For retailers and financial services providers, bitcoin ATMs and an easy-to-use cash-to-crypto interface could be a potentially lucrative opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n “Retailers can earn rent on hosted ATMs and drive additional foot traffic to locations,\u201d explained Bergquist. \u201cAlternative arrangements allow retailers to receive a percentage of each transaction fee.<\/span><\/p>\n “Customers who purchase crypto at ATMs will likely make return visits and buy other items,\u201d he continued. \u201cIn this way, they create a win-win partnership between the retailer and the bitcoin ATM operator.”<\/span><\/p>\n Bergquist sees a continued role for bitcoin ATMs in the crypto ecosystem, even as digital payment methods become more prevalent. He noted that cash still accounts for more than 18% of all transactions in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n In the op-ed, however, he acknowledged that the high costs associated with operating bitcoin ATMs could lead to changes in the industry. “Hardware, retailer rent, software, cash logistics and servicing, among other things, can make building and operating a profitable bitcoin ATM very expensive,” he said. “It can be more cost-effective to crypto-enable existing ATMs and kiosks to let people exchange crypto with cash.”<\/span><\/p>\nConverting Crypto to Cash<\/h2>\n
B2B Opportunities<\/h2>\n