Poland Surpasses El Salvador In Global Bitcoin ATM Rankings

According to Cointelegraph, Poland has expanded its cryptocurrency infrastructure by adding 10 new Bitcoin ATMs on January 27, increasing its total to 219 active machines. This development places Poland as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency ATM network globally, following the United States, Canada, Australia, and Spain. Over the past four months, Poland has installed 24 crypto ATMs, marking a significant growth in its network since October 2024. Other countries, including Canada, Spain, and Australia, have also experienced a steady increase in their local active crypto ATMs, as reported by Bitcoin ATM Radar. Despite having an early advantage, El Salvador has not expanded its Bitcoin ATM network since October 2022, when it was the third-largest hub with 215 machines. This stagnation contrasts with the expansion efforts seen in other major economies. Cointelegraph has reached out to Salvadoran authorities to gain insights into the country's future plans for Bitcoin adoption. Meanwhile, Poland continues to enhance its network, having installed 12 new ATMs in January alone, with more installations anticipated by the month's end. The current top 10 countries for Bitcoin ATM networks are led by the United States with 30,780 ATMs, accounting for 80.8% of the global share. Canada follows with 3,062 ATMs (8%), Australia with 1,389 ATMs (3.6%), Spain with 276 ATMs (0.7%), and Poland with 219 ATMs (0.6%). El Salvador, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Germany, and Puerto Rico complete the list, each with a smaller share of the global network. While the presence of crypto ATMs does not directly influence local Bitcoin adoption, they play a crucial role in providing grassroots exposure and serving the unbanked population. However, regulators have raised concerns about the potential misuse of these machines for money laundering and terrorism financing. Despite these concerns, crypto ATMs remain a vital component of cryptocurrency accessibility worldwide. Globally, approximately 38,100 crypto ATMs are operational across 65 countries, managed by 356 operators. Australia has shown consistent growth in its crypto ATM network over the past three years, joining the 1,000+ Bitcoin ATM club alongside the United States and Canada in April 2024.