European Market Shows Steady Growth Despite Global Decline

Bitcoin ATM installations in Europe have reached an all-time high, according to the latest tracking data. The European continent is witnessing steady growth in installations, with a new device appearing on average every day. Although Europe still significantly lags behind North America in the total number of cryptocurrency ATMs, the continuous infrastructure growth indicates increasing adoption of digital currencies in the region, despite tightening regulations and a global decline in the number of devices.

European Crypto ATM Market Reaches Record Numbers

According to information collected by the Coin ATM Radar platform, as of early May 2025, there were 1,767 active Bitcoin ATMs operating in Europe. This figure, higher than April and March numbers, indicates that more than 100 new crypto ATMs have been installed in the region during the current year.

Bitcoin ATMs (BTMs) differ from traditional banking devices in that they allow users to buy, and in many cases also sell, BTC, ETH, LTC, and other cryptocurrencies for cash fiat money, providing simple and accessible entry into the world of digital assets. These devices serve as an important bridge between the traditional financial system and the cryptocurrency economy, especially for users without access to online exchanges or those who prefer cash transactions.

“The growth in the number of Bitcoin ATMs in Europe reflects an interesting trend toward localization of cryptocurrency services,” explains Maria Volkova, a European cryptocurrency market analyst. “While online exchanges provide global access, BTMs meet the need for physical exchange points, which is especially important in regions with less developed banking infrastructure or for users who prefer the privacy of cash operations.”

The history of Bitcoin ATMs in Europe began in late 2013, when the first device was installed in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Since then, the continent has witnessed steady growth in the number of BTMs, despite market ups and downs over the years. The sharpest increase occurred between January 1, 2018 (431 devices) and January 1, 2020 (1,215 devices), when the number of machines nearly tripled.

Geographic Distribution and Comparison with Global Trends

Currently, Europe accounts for 4.6% of all registered cryptocurrency ATMs worldwide. Spain leads in concentration with 326 devices, followed by Poland with 225 ATMs. Italy ranks third with 204 machines, Germany fourth with 178, and Romania completes the European top five with 146 BTMs.

This distribution reflects the diversity of regulatory approaches to cryptocurrencies in different European countries, as well as differences in the level of digital asset adoption by the population.

“It’s curious that the leaders in the number of crypto ATMs in Europe are not only economically developed Western European countries but also Eastern European states such as Poland and Romania,” notes Alex Petrov, a blockchain implementation consultant. “This may be related to both regulatory peculiarities and a higher appetite for innovative financial solutions in these countries.”

On a global scale, the situation looks different. According to Statista, the total number of Bitcoin ATMs worldwide decreased by more than 2.4% between May 2024 and May 2025. As of May 1, 2025, there were more than 38,299 Bitcoin ATMs worldwide.

Coin ATM Radar cites a slightly different figure—38,328 devices, recording a 1% increase in March. The platform’s tracking covers devices operated by more than 350 operators in nearly 70 countries and manufactured by 40 different companies.

North American Dominance and Regulatory Prospects

Both data sources agree that North America leads in the number of active BTMs. According to Statista, 83% of all cryptocurrency ATMs as of February were located in this region, with the majority in the United States. Coin ATM Radar estimates the number of devices in the US at more than 30,000 units, and in Canada at just over 3,500. According to this source, North America accounts for almost 89% of the total number of BTMs worldwide.

America’s share may increase even further thanks to the crypto-friendly climate promised by the current US administration under President Trump. As an example, a Republican legislator from Texas recently proposed installing cryptocurrency ATMs in federal buildings.

At the same time, Bitcoin ATMs in Europe, along with other services offering anonymous exchange between cryptocurrencies and cash, may be affected by stricter rules that are being prepared for implementation in the European Union.

“The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies in Europe is becoming increasingly complex with the adoption of regulatory acts such as MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) and tightening anti-money laundering requirements,” explains Elena Sokolova, a lawyer specializing in cryptocurrency regulation. “This may slow the growth in the number of Bitcoin ATMs in the region or change their functionality, for example, by introducing stricter user identification requirements.”

Prospects for Further Development of the European BTM Market

Despite possible regulatory obstacles, the pace of cryptocurrency ATM installation in Europe remains stable. Coin ATM Radar data shows that on average over the past week, a new Bitcoin device was launched every day, and in the last couple of months, this figure sometimes reached two per day.

This dynamic indicates continuing demand for physical access to the cryptocurrency market, despite the development of online services and mobile applications. Bitcoin ATMs remain an important element of cryptocurrency infrastructure, especially for certain user groups.

“Bitcoin ATMs play an important role in democratizing access to cryptocurrencies,” believes Michael Goncharov, founder of a BTM operator company in Eastern Europe. “They are especially important for people without bank accounts, tourists wanting to quickly exchange currency, and those who prefer the confidentiality of cash operations. Even with the development of online services, physical exchange points maintain their relevance.”

In the context of a global reduction in the number of cryptocurrency ATMs, the steady growth of the European BTM market looks particularly noteworthy. This may indicate both growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies in Europe and more favorable conditions for operators of such devices in individual European countries compared to other regions of the world.

Nevertheless, the future of European Bitcoin ATMs will largely depend on the balance between regulatory pressure and market demand for physical access to cryptocurrency operations.