Crypto ATMs and Top Travel Destinations: A Practical Guide for Modern Tourists

The travel industry is undergoing profound changes, driven by the growing popularity of digital assets and an increasing demand for financial independence while traveling. As these trends converge, cryptocurrency ATMs are becoming an important tool for managing finances during trips.

According to CoinATMRadar, by mid‑2025, nearly 40,000 crypto ATMs were installed across 67 countries. Infrastructure growth is most visible in regions where cash payments remain dominant but cryptocurrency culture is well‑established, as well as in countries where foreign visitors face limited access to traditional banking services.

The differences between crypto ATMs and traditional ATMs have been covered in a separate feature. This piece focuses on the opportunities these devices create for travelers, the destinations where they are most accessible, and the ways they can be used effectively.

Using a Crypto ATM While Traveling

A crypto ATM offers a quick and straightforward way to exchange digital assets for cash and vice versa. For travelers, these machines often prove to be especially useful, but using them abroad requires an understanding of the key factors that can affect the process.

Preparation

The first step is to choose a crypto wallet. It should support the currency intended for withdrawal or deposit and offer a convenient way to generate QR codes. If using a mobile wallet, ensure the app is up to date.

Some crypto ATM operators require KYC verification, which may involve confirming identity using a passport, driver’s license, or a selfie. It’s best to check this in advance by visiting the operator’s website or using their mobile application.

How to Find a Crypto ATM

There are several proven ways to find a working crypto ATM quickly. Specialized online services help users locate the nearest available machines. These platforms provide access to interactive maps with filters by country, city, currency, and operator. Some of the most popular options include:

• Bitcoin Depot
• Coinme
• CoinFlip
• BITSTOP
• CoinATMRadar

Simply enter your location to get a list of nearby points for buying or selling cryptocurrency.

Google Maps can also be useful. Searching terms like “Bitcoin ATM” or the name of a specific operator will bring up nearby machines. Additionally, cryptocurrency forums and dedicated chat groups often share up‑to‑date information on ATM availability, reliability, and functionality.

Points to Keep in Mind

Before initiating a transaction, it is important to review the terms and conditions. Fees at crypto ATMs are typically higher than those on centralized exchanges and can reach up to 10% of the transaction amount. Exchange rates often differ from market rates, as operators typically include their own markup.

Another key consideration is transaction limits. In some countries, it is possible to withdraw only the equivalent of a few hundred dollars without additional verification. Elsewhere, the threshold may be several thousand. Larger transactions often require further identity checks.

How to Stay Safe

Just like traditional ATMs, crypto ATMs can occasionally be out of service due to technical issues or a lack of cash. If a machine isn’t responsive or displays warning messages, it is best to move on to a different one.

One of the most common risks involves fraudulent QR codes. Scammers sometimes place stickers with their own wallet addresses over the machine’s display or nearby, tricking users into sending funds to the wrong address. The QR code should always be scanned directly from the ATM’s screen, never from stickers or printed materials.

Local regulations should also be taken into account. In some countries, crypto ATMs are limited to selling cryptocurrency for cash, with purchases prohibited altogether.

Regulatory Landscape: What Travelers Should Know

Crypto ATM regulations vary significantly — not just between countries, but often between regions within the same country. In some areas, anyone can use a crypto ATM with minimal restrictions, while in others, the process is tightly regulated.

In certain countries, crypto ATMs can be used anonymously for small amounts by simply scanning a QR code or inserting cash. For example, some jurisdictions in Europe and Latin America only require identity verification for transactions above a specific limit. In contrast, in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and several Asian countries, nearly all crypto ATMs require some form of identity verification, although the process is often completed on the spot using the machine’s built-in camera.

Local rules should be reviewed before traveling. This can be done by consulting industry news sources, regulatory databases, or official notices from central banks and financial authorities in the destination country. Cryptocurrency regulations change rapidly, and information that was accurate only a few months ago may no longer be valid.

Crypto ATMs as a Travel Utility

Cryptocurrency ATMs are gradually moving beyond their original function, offering services that go far beyond simply exchanging digital assets for cash and vice versa. In the travel industry, they have the potential to act as a bridge between traditional services and the Web3 economy, providing travelers with new, on‑the‑spot payment opportunities.

Integration with hotel and airline booking systems, insurance platforms, and e‑ticketing services paves the way for more flexible payment options. For example, a hotel stay could be settled directly at the reception desk by converting cryptocurrency into the required local currency via a crypto ATM.

Some advanced machines already enable cryptocurrency payments for prepaid transportation cards, a particularly convenient feature for travelers. In the future, crypto ATMs could be used to sell tickets for events or tours, including options in NFT format.

Hotels, airports, and transportation hubs are showing growing interest in installing crypto ATMs as a way to attract high‑spending visitors and offer an additional layer of service.

Best Travel Destinations for Using Crypto ATMs

An increasing number of countries and cities are installing crypto ATMs in shopping centers and tourist areas. According to CoinATMRadar, the leading countries by number of installed machines are:

• United States — 30,806 units;
• Canada — 3,655 units;
• Australia — 1,919 units;
• Spain — 387 units;
• Poland — 313 units.

Within these countries, specific cities were selected for their combination of strong tourist appeal and well‑developed crypto ATM networks. Data on tourist flows in these regions is based on analysis by Data Pandas.

Los Angeles, United States

Los Angeles stands as the global leader in the number of installed crypto ATMs. These machines can be found in grocery stores, currency exchange offices, and shopping malls. Small‑value transactions typically require nothing more than scanning a wallet QR code and inserting cash, while larger amounts may prompt the operator to request identity documentation. Most machines support widely used cryptocurrencies such as USDT and USDC, and some also facilitate exchanges for less common assets like ZEC or XMR.

Toronto, Canada

In Toronto, crypto ATMs are widespread, commonly located in supermarkets, convenience stores, and shopping malls. Canadian regulations for digital assets are stricter than those in the United States: even relatively small cryptocurrency purchases require SMS verification. Transactions exceeding 995 CAD (~$740) trigger full KYC, which involves uploading a passport or driver’s license.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney’s crypto ATM network is expanding rapidly, with most machines located in central districts, major shopping complexes, and near popular tourist attractions. Many operators allow smaller transactions without full KYC, requiring only phone number verification. Transaction limits are determined solely by operators, as there are no specific national regulations governing these thresholds.

Madrid, Spain

Madrid’s network of crypto ATMs spans both business and tourist districts, with many machines supporting a wide range of digital assets. The country enforces strict rules for non‑residents: transactions over €3,000 require mandatory verification, which is available only to holders of a Spanish passport. Smaller transactions generally require only a phone number. Most crypto ATMs in Madrid are located near metro stations, shopping streets, and business centers.

Warsaw, Poland

In Warsaw, crypto ATMs are located in major shopping centers as well as near key transportation hubs. Polish regulations on cryptocurrencies are relatively liberal, allowing transactions up to the equivalent of €1,000 to be conducted anonymously, without the need for verification. Larger transactions require proof of identity to complete KYC.

Crypto ATMs are moving beyond their niche status to become a regular part of travel, giving visitors the ability to instantly convert cryptocurrency to cash or vice versa. Remaining financially flexible while traveling means keeping in mind the essential rules for using crypto ATMs — locate, verify, and stay alert.

Are Crypto ATMs Available Enough?

We examined the industry from a different perspective — the relationship between demand for crypto ATMs and their physical availability. To do this, we compared the top 10 countries by interest in crypto ATMs, based on Google Trends search data over the past 90 days, with the actual number of installed machines according to CoinATMRadar.

The data shows that users in the USA, Australia, and Canada demonstrate moderately high online interest in crypto ATMs, while these same three countries lead the world in the number of installed devices. Conversely, countries such as Nigeria, the UAE, and Sweden register high search volumes but have very few or no physical units available.

To better understand the geographic growth potential for crypto ATMs, we also compared how a country’s crypto-friendliness correlates with the popularity of physical exchange devices. The ranking of the most crypto-friendly countries is based on Chainalysis’ 2024 cryptocurrency adoption index.

The findings indicate that a high level of crypto adoption does not necessarily translate into a strong presence of physical ATMs. In the top-ranked countries for cryptocurrency adoption — India, Nigeria, and Indonesia — the number of crypto ATMs is minimal or non-existent, largely because users rely heavily on online services and mobile applications, bypassing physical exchange points. By contrast, the concentration of crypto ATMs in the USA is likely linked to the ongoing popularity of cash-based transactions.

Overall, the presence of crypto ATMs appears to reflect a country’s infrastructure readiness and regulatory environment for physical exchanges rather than the actual level of cryptocurrency adoption.