比特币 ATM：重塑加密货币格局

比特币 ATM 机越来越受欢迎，全球安装数量超过 37,000 台。它们是法币到加密货币转换的关键接入点，并为无银行账户和反银行消费者提供金融服务。比特币 ATM 提供各种用例，包括投机投资、高效汇款和价值储存。它们为零售商提供了利润丰厚的收入机会，预计到 2033 年将达到 168.5 亿美元。

Bitcoin ATMs: A Transformative Force in the Crypto Ecosystem

比特币 ATM：加密生态系统的变革力量

Ten years have passed since the inaugural Bitcoin ATM made its debut at Waves Coffee House in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Since then, the proliferation of Bitcoin ATMs has been nothing short of exponential. According to Coin ATM Radar, the global landscape currently boasts a staggering 37,056 Bitcoin ATMs, with 31,006 of them located within the United States alone. Despite the burgeoning popularity of online exchanges, the physical presence of Bitcoin ATMs continues to grow at a steady pace, with their presence now gracing gas stations, shopping malls, and grocery stores alike.

自首台比特币 ATM 在不列颠哥伦比亚省温哥华市中心的 Waves 咖啡馆首次亮相以来，已经过去了十年。从那时起，比特币 ATM 机的数量呈指数级增长。根据 Coin ATM Radar 的数据，全球目前拥有 37,056 台比特币 ATM，其中 31,006 台位于美国境内。尽管在线交易日益普及，比特币 ATM 的实体存在仍在稳步增长，现在加油站、购物中心和杂货店都在使用它们。

The significance of Bitcoin ATMs cannot be overstated, as they play a critical role in accelerating the adoption of cryptocurrencies. They serve as an essential bridge between fiat currencies (dollars) and the crypto ecosystem, thereby providing unbanked or anti-banking consumers with access to financial services. Moreover, many Bitcoin ATMs offer the option of purchasing crypto with cash, effectively serving as fiat off-ramps and granting users swift access to their funds.

比特币 ATM 的重要性怎么强调都不为过，因为它们在加速加密货币的采用方面发挥着关键作用。它们是法定货币（美元）和加密生态系统之间的重要桥梁，从而为无银行账户或反银行消费者提供金融服务。此外，许多比特币 ATM 机提供用现金购买加密货币的选项，有效地充当法定出口匝道并让用户能够快速获取资金。

Neighborhood Crypto Access Points

邻里加密接入点

Bitcoin ATMs have become ubiquitous neighborhood crypto access points. They empower individuals to purchase cryptocurrencies while engaging in mundane activities such as filling up their gas tanks or running errands at the grocery store. The conspicuous signage adorning these machines, beckoning with the promise of "Bitcoin Sold Here," piques curiosity and sparks interest in the world of crypto.

比特币 ATM 机已成为无处不在的社区加密接入点。它们使个人能够在进行日常活动（例如加油或在杂货店跑腿）的同时购买加密货币。这些机器上装饰着显眼的标牌，上面写着“这里出售比特币”的承诺，激起了人们的好奇心，激发了人们对加密货币世界的兴趣。

Digital currencies like Bitcoin were conceived with the express intention of creating a new paradigm of electronic cash. Bitcoin ATMs embody this vision, enabling individuals to acquire this novel currency and leverage it for digital payments, remittances, or as a store of value. Envision if traditional assets, such as stocks, were made available for purchase in fractional amounts at physical locations using cash. Bitcoin ATMs represent a comparable financial opportunity, as Bitcoin's deflationary store of value is unmatched in the annals of finance.

像比特币这样的数字货币的诞生，是为了创造一种新的电子现金范式。比特币 ATM 体现了这一愿景，使个人能够获得这种新型货币，并将其用于数字支付、汇款或作为价值储存。想象一下是否可以使用现金在物理地点小额购买传统资产（例如股票）。比特币 ATM 代表了类似的金融机会，因为比特币的通货紧缩价值储存在金融史上是无与伦比的。

The Multifaceted Use Cases of Bitcoin ATMs

比特币 ATM 的多方面用例

The reasons why people turn to Bitcoin ATMs are as varied as the individuals themselves. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are often perceived as speculative stores of value or as more efficient mediums of exchange. Two digital currencies that excel in these use cases are Bitcoin and USDC. USDC, a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, is accessible via Bitcoin ATMs and is redeemable one-to-one with the U.S. dollar. The following examples illustrate how Bitcoin ATMs are being employed in real-world scenarios:

人们转向比特币 ATM 的原因与个人本身一样多种多样。比特币和其他加密货币通常被视为投机价值存储或更有效的交换媒介。在这些用例中表现出色的两种数字货币是比特币和 USDC。 USDC 是一种与美元挂钩的稳定币，可以通过比特币 ATM 访问，并且可以与美元一对一兑换。以下示例说明了如何在现实场景中使用比特币 ATM：

• In 2014, the value of a single Bitcoin hovered around a mere few hundred dollars. Early adopters who purchased Bitcoin at the first licensed Bitcoin ATM in the United States, which opened in Seattle, Washington, that same year, have since reaped substantial gains, as Bitcoin now trades close to $70,000 per coin.
• A mother wired funds to her daughter, who was studying abroad in Italy and urgently needed money to repair her car. The mechanic agreed to accept Bitcoin as payment, prompting her to seek out a Bitcoin ATM so that she could send her daughter the necessary funds. Within minutes, the mechanic had received the payment.
• Immigrants residing in the United States can use Bitcoin ATMs to purchase USDC with cash and subsequently send it back to their home countries, where recipients can withdraw the funds in their local fiat currency.

Opportunities for Businesses

2014年，单个比特币的价值徘徊在几百美元左右。同年，在美国第一家获得许可的比特币 ATM 机（该 ATM 机于华盛顿州西雅图开业）上购买比特币的早期采用者从此获得了可观的收益，因为比特币现在的交易价格接近每枚 70,000 美元。一位母亲将资金汇给她的女儿正在意大利留学的她，急需钱修车。机械师同意接受比特币作为付款方式，促使她寻找比特币 ATM，以便她可以向女儿发送必要的资金。几分钟之内，技工就收到了付款。居住在美国的移民可以使用比特币 ATM 机用现金购买 USDC，然后将其汇回自己的祖国，在那里收款人可以以当地法定货币提取资金。企业的机会

Bitcoin ATMs present a lucrative opportunity for businesses that maintain a physical retail presence. Retailers can generate rental income by hosting ATMs and can also capitalize on the increased foot traffic that these machines attract. Alternative arrangements may allow retailers to receive a percentage of each transaction fee. It is imperative that retailers only partner with licensed and insured operators and implement robust AML policies and procedures.

比特币 ATM 机为维持实体零售业务的企业提供了利润丰厚的机会。零售商可以通过托管 ATM 机产生租金收入，也可以利用这些机器吸引的人流量增加。替代安排可能允许零售商收取每笔交易费用的一定比例。零售商必须仅与获得许可和投保的运营商合作，并实施强有力的反洗钱政策和程序。

The primary benefit of hosting a Bitcoin ATM is the influx of customers that it draws to retail establishments. Websites such as Coin ATM Radar provide comprehensive listings of ATM locations, essentially offering free advertising. Bitcoin ATMs are also searchable via Google Maps and are often co-listed with the hosting businesses. Customers who purchase crypto at ATMs are likely to return for repeat visits and to make additional purchases. In this regard, they foster a mutually beneficial relationship between the retailer and the Bitcoin ATM operator.

托管比特币 ATM 的主要好处是它吸引了零售店的大量客户。 Coin ATM Radar 等网站提供了 ATM 位置的完整列表，本质上是提供免费广告。比特币 ATM 也可以通过谷歌地图搜索，并且通常与托管企业共同列出。在 ATM 机上购买加密货币的客户可能会再次光临并进行额外购买。在这方面，他们促进了零售商和比特币 ATM 运营商之间的互利关系。

The Evolving Landscape of Bitcoin ATMs

比特币 ATM 的演变

The crypto winter of 2022-2023 led to industry consolidation within the Bitcoin ATM sector, reducing the number of operators to just a handful of key players by early 2024. However, the pace of Bitcoin ATM installations is once again on the rise, and analysts predict a positive outlook for crypto in 2024. As such, Bitcoin ATMs are poised to remain a cornerstone of the crypto economy. But what lies ahead in the next five to ten years?

2022 年至 2023 年的加密寒冬导致了比特币 ATM 领域的行业整合，到 2024 年初，运营商数量减少为少数关键参与者。然而，比特币 ATM 的安装速度再次加快，分析师认为预测 2024 年加密货币前景乐观。因此，比特币 ATM 仍将成为加密经济的基石。但未来五到十年将会发生什么？

Despite the rapid adoption of digital payment methods, cash remains one of the most widely used payment options in the United States, accounting for over 18% of all transactions. Moreover, cash offers the unique advantage of eliminating any risk of chargebacks. Individuals who use Bitcoin ATMs can instantly access their purchased Bitcoin and then send it on-chain as a secure form of remittance or payment.

尽管数字支付方式迅速普及，但现金仍然是美国使用最广泛的支付方式之一，占所有交易的 18% 以上。此外，现金具有消除任何退款风险的独特优势。使用比特币 ATM 的个人可以立即访问他们购买的比特币，然后将其作为安全的汇款或支付形式发送到链上。

While Bitcoin ATMs provide a valuable service, their high operating costs represent a major challenge. Expenses such as hardware, retailer rent, software, cash logistics, and ongoing maintenance can make it difficult to run a profitable Bitcoin ATM. A more cost-effective approach involves enabling existing ATMs and kiosks with cryptocurrency functionality, allowing users to seamlessly exchange crypto with cash.

虽然比特币 ATM 提供了有价值的服务，但其高昂的运营成本构成了重大挑战。硬件、零售商租金、软件、现金物流和持续维护等费用可能会使比特币 ATM 难以盈利。一种更具成本效益的方法是为现有的 ATM 和自助服务终端提供加密货币功能，使用户能够无缝地用现金交换加密货币。

This can be achieved through the integration of an API, eliminating the need for dedicated crypto-specific hardware. Over time, we anticipate increased collaboration between traditional financial institutions and the crypto industry, as these institutions seek to offer crypto buying and selling services to their customers in order to remain competitive and meet market demand.

这可以通过集成 API 来实现，从而无需专用的加密专用硬件。随着时间的推移，我们预计传统金融机构和加密货币行业之间的合作将会加强，因为这些机构寻求为其客户提供加密货币买卖服务，以保持竞争力并满足市场需求。

It is worth reflecting upon the humble beginnings of crypto, when strangers would meet in person to exchange USB sticks containing Bitcoin for cash. In the emerging world of multi-currency digital currencies, both physical and digital channels will converge to facilitate seamless and efficient transitions between crypto and fiat. This will effectively remove barriers to the adoption of a blockchain-based financial system. Bitcoin ATMs will undoubtedly continue to grow in popularity and remain an indispensable part of this ecosystem for many years to come.

值得反思的是加密货币的卑微开端，当时陌生人会亲自见面，用包含比特币的 USB 记忆棒交换现金。在多币种数字货币的新兴世界中，物理和数字渠道将融合，以促进加密货币和法定货币之间的无缝和高效的转换。这将有效消除采用基于区块链的金融系统的障碍。比特币 ATM 无疑将继续流行，并在未来许多年仍然是这个生态系统不可或缺的一部分。