The number of Bitcoin ATMs will surge for the first time in 2023, and the global distribution will be revealed

The US leads the world, Africa lags behind.

Written by: Bitcoinist

Compilation: Blockchain Knight

According to the latest data from Coin ATM Radar, the global number of BTC ATMs has grown significantly over the past month, reaching a new peak** with over 35,000 machines in operation**.

That's a significant spike, coming in at 35,069 ATMs.

The data also shows that the number of ATMs has hovered below 34,000 since March. In April, there were 33,389 BTC ATMs worldwide, setting a new low in nearly two years.

Comparing the data to December 2022, when the number of ATMs exceeded 39,000, a downward trend can still be seen despite the increase in the price of BTC during that time. According to Coin ATM Radar, around 3,600 BTC ATMs around the world were disconnected in March alone.

However, this situation reversed in May. ATMs added nearly 1,400 in May and another 278 in the first few days of June.

BTC ATMs have become a popular way for users to buy and sell BTC using cash or cards, and these methods provide users with a fast and seamless new experience. Additionally, these machines generally do not need to know KYC data, making them a new, more private alternative to traditional exchanges.

The United States leads by far in terms of global ATM distribution, with more than 30,000 ATMs installed across its borders, accounting for more than 85% of the total number of machines currently in operation. Canada is the only country with more than 1,000 ATMs, counting about 2,745, according to Coin ATM Radar.

Europe ranks second, with about 1,400 ATMs installed in the region, with Spain leading the list with 286. In comparison, the UK has a paltry 16 ATMs installed despite being the region's financial centre.

Spain leads the Spanish-speaking list with 285 ATMs, followed by Salva with 212. Mexico ranks third with 52 ATMs, while Colombia and Puerto Rico round out the top five with 37 and 32 respectively.

Hong Kong leads Asia with 148 ATMs, while Japan, despite having BTC-friendly regulations, has only three ATMs installed.

After adopting BTC as legal tender, El Salvador unsurprisingly leads the Latin American region with 272 ATMs.

Africa has the fewest number of BTC ATMs, with South Africa leading the way with 17 ATMs, while the regional giant Nigeria has only two ATMs installed in its jurisdiction.