Bitcoin Depot’s Scott Buchanan argues that crypto ATM operators must continually strengthen their safeguards and make things safer and more transparent for users — protective actions that not only benefit individual crypto users but also bolster the market’s integrity and support its long-term growth.
Dec 14, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Walk into a gas station, grocery store, or convenience store today, and you might see a small orange kiosk glowing in the corner. What started as a curiosity has quietly become one of the most familiar in-person touchpoints in the digital economy: the crypto ATM.
With close to 40,000 crypto ATMs operating worldwide, this technology has become a staple for the crypto-curious and enthusiasts alike, helping spark mainstream interest in a digital asset once considered esoteric and unapproachable. As a physical bridge between traditional fiat currency and the digital asset world, these kiosks have made crypto more accessible, tangible, and user-friendly for those who prefer to transact in person with physical cash.
As President of the largest Bitcoin ATM operator, I’ve witnessed this transformation up close. The rapid proliferation of crypto ATMs has made it easier than ever for people to buy Bitcoin with cash and engage with the digital economy, but it has also attracted bad actors seeking to exploit users unfamiliar with how the machines work.
As demand grows — along with the growing concern over scams involving crypto kiosks — so does the need for clear rules, oversight, and a shared commitment to responsibility.
For this nascent industry to thrive, consumers need to trust it. Whether sending money to a relative or buying Bitcoin for the first time, they should feel confident that the machine they’re using is safe and secure. Building that trust takes effort from everyone involved.
ATM operators, regulators, and industry partners all play a role in building that confidence through education and accountability. The rise in proposed regulations through various cities across the US such as mandatory scam warnings, daily transaction limits, to name a few, highlights the need for a cohesive framework that evolves with the industry’s continued growth. As policymakers work to strike a balance between fostering innovation and protecting consumers, regulators have emphasized that crypto ATM activities should be subject to additional regulatory oversight.
What this means in practice is the creation of frameworks that allow the broader crypto sector to grow while also protecting individual consumers. For crypto ATM operators, this involves meeting heightened compliance expectations: following diligent registration and licensing protocols, implementing robust transaction and blockchain monitoring systems, and implementing thorough AML and KYC procedures, to name a few.
Compliance practices must be proactive, consistent, and transparent. Consumers shouldn’t have to understand the complexities of crypto regulation to feel safe using a machine, that responsibility rests with us. By demonstrating that compliance is embedded in everything we do, we strengthen trust in the system to help ensure the industry remains resilient, credible, and protected.
Protecting consumers starts with industry-wide responsibility. Operators have a duty to make these transactions not only secure but transparent and easy to understand. At Bitcoin Depot, we’ve focused on tightening verification and improving clarity at every step of the user experience. That includes implementing ID verification for all consumers.
The rise in scams targeting older adults is also a serious industry concern, and addressing them requires practical, human-centered safeguards, including additional screening for adults over 60, daily transaction limits, and clear on-screen scam warnings that stop scam attempts in real time.
Just as important is education. When users understand how these machines work, they’re better equipped to spot and avoid fraudulent activity. Public awareness campaigns, visible signage at kiosks, and around-the-clock customer support not only encourage trust but also empower people to use this technology confidently and safely.
It’s critical that crypto ATM operators continually strengthen their safeguards and improve the user experience, making it safer and more transparent. These protective actions not only benefit individual crypto users but also bolster the market’s integrity and support its long-term growth.
The secret to crypto’s longevity lies not in daily price moves, institutional buzz, or even favorable policies from Capitol Hill. Its longevity will be determined by consumers, but it’s up to the industry to enact the changes needed to help it thrive.
Compliance, transparency, and change are not barriers to innovation. They are the foundation that gives it staying power. These qualities don’t suggest an industry in trouble. They reflect one that is maturing, learning, and adapting to meet the expectations of its users as crypto becomes part of everyday finance.
The future of crypto will not be defined by technology alone, but by the discipline and integrity of those who build it. The companies that lead the next phase will be the ones willing to hold themselves to higher standards.
Note: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CoinDesk, Inc. or its owners and affiliates.
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