Poland overtakes El Salvador in global Bitcoin ATM count

From cointelegraph by Arijit Sarkar

Poland added 10 new Bitcoin ATMs on Jan. 27, bringing its total to 219 active machines and surpassing El Salvador as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency ATM network globally after the US, Canada, Australia and Spain.

Poland added 24 crypto ATMs in its ongoing four-month-long installation spree that began in October 2024. Numerous other countries, including current leaders Canada, Spain and Australia, continue to see an uptick in local active crypto ATMs month over month,  according  to Bitcoin ATM Radar data.

Net change of cryptocurrency machines number installed and removed monthly in Poland. Source: Bitcoin ATM Radar

El Salvador lags despite an impressive headstart

While the US and Canada dominate the global Bitcoin 

BTC$98,985ATM network with thousands of active machines, El Salvador was once the third-largest crypto ATM hub in October 2022 after installing 215 machines to support Bitcoin adoption.

However, the country has not increased its existing capacity — a move contrasting other major economies. Cointelegraph reached out to a Salvadoran authority to learn more about the nation’s plan for driving further Bitcoin adoption.

In contrast, Poland has installed 12 new ATMs in January alone, with more expected before the end of the month.

The current top 10 countries for Bitcoin ATM networks are as follows:

Check out  Cointelegraph’s beginners’ guide  to learn more about Bitcoin ATMs, how they work and how to use them.

While crypto ATMs have no direct impact on local Bitcoin adoption, they provide grassroots exposure to citizens and help serve the unbanked. Regulators have expressed concerns about the potential misuse of crypto ATMs for money laundering and terrorism financing, but the machines remain a key infrastructure for cryptocurrency accessibility.

Roughly 38,100 crypto ATMs are currently active globally, spread across 65 countries and powered by 356 operators. 

Australia has recorded the most consistent growth of crypto ATMs for nearly three years. The country  joined the 1,000+ Bitcoin ATM club  alongside the US and Canada in April 2024.