If you’ve never bought Bitcoin in person, a Bitcoin ATM can look confusing the first time you walk up to one. The purchase itself takes a few minutes once you know the steps. This guide covers what to bring, each step on the screen, exactly what it costs, and the one situation where you should walk away before you start.
What is a Bitcoin ATM?
A Bitcoin ATM (also called a BTM, crypto ATM or Bitcoin machine) is a kiosk that takes cash and sends Bitcoin to a digital wallet. It is not a bank ATM. It is not connected to your bank account, it does not take your debit card PIN, and it does not give you your money back if something goes wrong.
The most important fact up front: once Bitcoin is sent, the transaction cannot be reversed. There is no chargeback like a credit card and no recall like a bank wire. Every step below exists because of that.
What to bring
- A Bitcoin wallet on your phone that you set up yourself. If you don’t have one yet, follow our wallet setup guide at home first. Write down the recovery phrase and keep it private.
- Cash in U.S. bills. The machine takes bills one at a time.
- Your mobile phone. The machine texts you a verification code.
- A government-issued photo ID on your first visit, such as a driver’s license or passport. Bitcoin ATM operators are Money Services Businesses under federal law and must verify who their customers are. You scan it once, when you set up your account for higher purchase limits. After that, you don’t need to bring it.
If the wallet or QR code you plan to use came from someone else, stop here. That is the most common pattern in Bitcoin ATM scam reports. More on that below.
How to use a Bitcoin ATM, step by step
Here is the full process at an America Bitcoin ATM. Screens at other operators’ machines may look different, but the order is usually the same.
Step 1: Tap “Buy Bitcoin”
The touchscreen opens to a menu. Choose the option to buy.
Step 2: Enter your phone number
The machine texts a code to your phone. Type the code on the screen to continue.
Step 3: Verify your identity (first visit only)
The first time you set up your account, hold your ID up to the scanner when the screen asks. You may also be asked for a selfie so the system can match your face to your ID. This is a Know Your Customer (KYC) requirement, the same reason a bank asks for ID when you open an account. On later visits you skip this step.
Step 4: Scan your wallet’s QR code
Open your wallet app, tap “Receive,” and hold the QR code up to the kiosk’s scanner. The screen shows the address it read. Check the first and last few characters against your app before you go on.
Step 5: Insert your cash
Feed bills in one at a time. The screen shows your running total in dollars and roughly how much Bitcoin you will get at the current price. Stop whenever you reach the amount you want.
Step 6: Review and confirm
Before you tap the final button, read three things on the screen: the dollars you put in, the Bitcoin you will receive, and the wallet address. If any of them looks wrong, don’t confirm. When you confirm, the Bitcoin is sent to the network. Most wallets show it as pending within minutes, and it is usually fully confirmed within an hour, depending on network traffic.
Keep your receipt. It has the transaction ID you’ll need if you ever call us about the purchase.
How much does it cost to use a Bitcoin ATM?
At America Bitcoin ATM, the all-in cost is typically 15% to 25% above the market (spot) price of Bitcoin. That one number includes our fee. Where a state law sets a lower maximum, the state cap wins. In Arkansas, for example, the cap is 18%.
| Cash you insert | Cost at 15% | Cost at 25% | Bitcoin you receive (in dollar value) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $15 | $25 | about $75 to $85 |
| $500 | $75 | $125 | about $375 to $425 |
| $1,000 | $150 | $250 | about $750 to $850 |
The screen shows the exact rate and the Bitcoin amount before you confirm. If you can’t see both, don’t finish the purchase. Have a promo code? Code 25BATM takes 25% off the markup.
A Bitcoin ATM costs more than a large online exchange. You are paying for cash access, an in-person machine and same-visit delivery. For the full breakdown, read Bitcoin ATM Fees Explained.
How much can you buy?
Verified customers can buy up to $29,500 per day at America Bitcoin ATM. Some states set lower daily limits by law, and those limits apply at our machines in those states. Our limits guide explains how verification works.
Can you use a debit card at a Bitcoin ATM?
No. Our kiosks take cash only. You can’t insert a debit or credit card, and the machine doesn’t connect to your bank. If you only have a card, you would withdraw cash from a bank ATM first, which usually means a separate bank or ATM fee on top of the Bitcoin ATM cost.
Can you use a Bitcoin machine to send money to someone?
Sending money to another person is one of the best things Bitcoin does. It moves across borders, any day of the week, without a bank in the middle. But you can’t send Bitcoin straight to someone else from an America Bitcoin ATM. Our policy and Terms of Service require that every purchase goes to a wallet you own and control. Once the Bitcoin is in your wallet, you can send it to whoever you choose.
Don’t have a wallet yet? The America Bitcoin Wallet app is free for iPhone and Android, and you keep the keys. Our guide to sending Bitcoin walks through the send step.
The rule exists because scammers rely on that direct send. If anyone asked you to go to a Bitcoin ATM and scan their QR code to pay them, it is a scam. No government agency, court, utility, bank or tech support company takes payment through a Bitcoin ATM. And before you send Bitcoin from your own wallet to anyone, remember it can’t be reversed. Walk away if any of these are true:
- Someone on the phone is telling you what to press.
- The QR code was sent to you by text, email, social media or a caller.
- You were told the ATM is the only way to pay a fine, bail, bill, tax or fee, or to “protect” your bank account.
- You were told to keep it secret from your family or your bank.
- You’ve only met the person you’re paying online.
This happens at scale. In 2025 the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 13,400 complaints involving cryptocurrency kiosks, with more than $388 million in reported losses. People over 50 filed more than half of those complaints and lost more than $302 million (FBI IC3, May 2026).
Because Bitcoin can’t be reversed, the time to stop is before you insert cash. Our kiosks verify ID and phone numbers, and purchases are monitored under our anti-money-laundering program, which can lead to a purchase being held for review. None of that is a guarantee. If you think you’re being targeted, hang up, talk to someone you trust, and report it at IC3.gov or to the FTC. Our scam awareness page covers the common scripts.
What if my transaction is on hold?
Some purchases are held for a compliance review before the Bitcoin is sent. This is part of the federal anti-money-laundering rules every operator follows, and it can include a call from our team to confirm the purchase is yours. A hold does not mean you did something wrong. Call us with the transaction ID from your receipt. Most reviews are completed within 1 business day.
Bitcoin ATM vs. crypto exchange vs. bank ATM
| Bitcoin ATM | Crypto exchange app | Bank ATM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Cash, in person | Bank transfer or card, online | Debit card and PIN |
| What you get | Bitcoin sent to your wallet | Bitcoin held in your account | Cash from your own bank account |
| ID check | Once, when you set up your account | Yes, at signup | Card and PIN |
| Typical cost | 15–25% above spot at our kiosks | Usually lower; varies by app | Per-withdrawal fee |
| Reversible? | No | Bitcoin sends: no | Disputes possible through your bank |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ID to use a Bitcoin ATM?
Not on every visit. You scan a government-issued photo ID once, when you set up your account for higher purchase limits. On every visit you verify your phone number with a texted code. Our ID guide has the details.
How long does it take for Bitcoin to show up in my wallet?
Most wallets show a pending amount within minutes. Full confirmation on the Bitcoin network usually takes up to an hour and can take longer when the network is busy.
What if I scanned the wrong wallet address?
If you haven’t confirmed yet, cancel on the screen. Once Bitcoin is sent, it can’t be pulled back. That is why the screen shows the address before you confirm.
Can I sell Bitcoin for cash at a Bitcoin ATM?
Only at machines that support selling. Check the machine’s page on our locations page before you go, and see how selling works.
Can someone else tell me how to use the machine over the phone?
Our support team can help you with a purchase you chose to make. If a person you don’t know is guiding you through a purchase, stop. That is how most Bitcoin ATM scams work.
What should I do if I think I’ve been scammed?
Call us as soon as you can with your transaction ID, and file a report at IC3.gov. Report quickly. We can’t reverse a sent transaction, but a fast report gives law enforcement the best chance to follow the funds. Maryland residents can also use our Maryland fraud fee refund request page.
Is America Bitcoin ATM registered?
America Bitcoin ATM is registered with FinCEN as a Money Services Business (MSB registration number 31000292649858). Our NMLS ID is 2521734. Questions? Call our support line at (888) 437-7582.
Find a Bitcoin ATM near you
America Bitcoin ATM has kiosks in 23 states, including Texas, Utah, Arkansas, Florida and Nevada. Each listing shows the address, store hours and whether the machine buys only or also sells. Local guides: Las Vegas, Little Rock, St. George.
See every America Bitcoin ATM location →
Questions about a purchase, a limit or a suspicious call? Call our support line with your receipt in hand.
