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Crypto ATMs make it dead simple to buy crypto, but what are the fees and why are the profit margins to high?
Cash is king, and when you need cash, the ATM wins on convenience. Bitcoin’s white paper literally frames it as an electronic 'cash' system, so it’s natural that “cash ↔ crypto” works synergistically. What’s rarer are crypto ATMs themselves. You’ll find them clustered in cash-heavy markets and high-traffic locations, but coverage is uneven.
Crypto ATMs make it dead simple to buy (and sometimes sell) Bitcoin and other coins for cash, on the spot. That convenience has a price: fees typically run 5%–20% depending on the machine, the operator, location, and whether you’re buying or selling. For example, buying $200 of BTC with a 12% fee costs $24, a sharp contrast to online exchanges where fees are often under 1%.
How Crypto ATM Fees Are Set
- Exchange-rate markup. Operators choose a reference price (via one or more APIs) and add a margin (e.g., 8%–15%) for profit and risk.
- Service/processing fee. Covers hardware, maintenance, cash handling, and compliance.
- Network (blockchain) fee. Dynamic; during congestion you might see $2 – $5+ to ensure timely settlement.
- Percent + flat. Many machines combine a percentage with a small flat fee.
Buying vs. Selling
- Buying is usually costlier (~8%–15%). Most machines are buy-only because demand skews to converting spare cash into crypto.
- Selling tends to be ~5%–10%, but two-way machines are less common. Cash-out requires a dispenser, vaulting, float management, and regular cash reloads—raising operating costs and risk.
Regulatory note: KYC/AML rules vary by country and, in the U.S., by state. Some machines require ID or phone verification; others allow smaller, low-KYC limits.
Real-World Fee Snapshots (Illustrative)
In the U.S., CoinFlip machines are typically buy-only and charge about $3 + ~7.1% (percent-plus-flat), while RockItCoin is two-way at roughly ~18.7% + $1 to buy and ~16.3% + $1 to sell (percent-plus-flat). Athena Bitcoin, also two-way, is often cited at 10–25% to buy and ~5% to sell (percent only). Bitcoin Depot is generally buy-only around ~20%. For broader context, Coinme notes global buy fees in the ~6.99%–20% range, and U.S. “typical machines” are frequently reported around ~6.5%–20% buy fees. These figures are illustrative (not definitive) and they give the average of around ~12%.
🏧 Quick Fee Calculator
To give a sense of what you might pay as a customer, or earn if you are operating a crypto business, you can try adjusting the buy/sell amount below and play around with the fees to give a sense of the fee rate per transaction:
The Business Side: Running ATMs vs. Running an Exchange
For ATM business operators, that same 5%–20% “convenience spread” can be a solid business model. Especially alongside an online exchange:
- Run both: an online exchange for low-fee digital flow plus ATMs for walk-up cash flow. Each feeds the other: the exchange provides pricing/liquidity and account services; ATMs convert cash customers who wouldn’t sign up online.
- Location economics: foot traffic, rent/revenue share, and cash logistics determine margins.
- Compliance & monitoring: a must for scaling; choose software that bakes this in.
Or, go fully digital first
If you’re considering ATMs, also consider an exchange business to reach users without the physical overhead.
With HollaEx® you get:
- Reduced Dev Costs: cut build time and costs by ~54% using an integrated, customizable white-label.
- Battle-tested stack: 128+ public releases with open development history.
- OTC & hedging tools: set custom spreads and manage block trades.
- Cross-platform apps: web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
- Cloud options: AWS, DigitalOcean, OVHCloud, and more.
- Social proof: listed/reviewed on G2, SourceForge, Slashdot.
- Clear pricing: transparent plans that work in bull or bear markets.
Bottom Line
Crypto ATMs are unbeatable for instant cash ↔ crypto, but the fee premium is real. For businesses, pairing an ATM footprint with a white-label exchange can maximize reach and economics; going digital-first can minimize fees while retaining full control.
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