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Cryptocurrency

Economics of Bitcoin ATM market could hinder wider adoption 

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ATM service provider, Bitcoin of America, had carved out a slice of the market but recently closed shop in the United States State of Connecticut due to a lack of proper licensing.

The Connecticut Department of Banking (DoB) issued a cease and desist order against the company, accusing it of operating unlicensed crypto ATMs in the state. But the allegations didn’t stop there; the firm was also accused of facilitating scams by allowing transactions related to fraudulent activities.

In response to the challenges, Bitcoin of America released a statement claiming it would immediately halt all of its operations in Connecticut. While the decision marked the end of the company’s presence in the state, it also underscored the regulatory hurdles faced by crypto ATM operators, particularly in the United States.

The closure also sent ripples across the crypto community, leading many industry observers to question the long-term efficacy and utility of these machines.

Connecticut closure explained

Due to the nascency of the cryptocurrency industry, marrying digital currencies with conventional financial structures — as in the case of crypto ATMs — requires intricate regulatory supervision. This is particularly true in Connecticut, where the DoB oversees ATMs under the Money Transmission Act. 

The act requires that any service involving the transfer of money, including the conversion of traditional currency to cryptocurrency, must secure a money transmitter license. 

On May 22, the Connecticut DoB claimed that Bitcoin of America had not secured the necessary license to operate Bitcoin ATMs in the state. It further stated that four Connecticut Bitcoin ATM users were scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars via Bitcoin of America’s kiosks. 

The DoB stated: “Bitcoin of America, following the consent order, compensated these consumers with a total of $86,000. After facing criminal charges, Bitcoin of America is in the process of ceasing its operations in Connecticut.”

In a separate incident in March, state officials in Ohio seized 52 Bitcoin of America ATMs, as authorities suspected scammers were using the kiosks.

Operating crypto ATMs is harder than it looks

Jason Grewal, chief legal officer for Web3 security firm Sys Labs, told that running a crypto ATM involves much more than just acquiring a license. 

Operators in the U.S. must adhere to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules set by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, comply with the Bank Secrecy Act’s Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, and conform to the Internal Revenue Service’s requirements for reporting crypto transactions.

In Grewal’s opinion, such complexities could play a significant role in the waning popularity of these machines. In March alone, a staggering 3,627 cryptocurrency ATMs went offline, marking the most significant monthly decrease in the history of crypto ATMs. He said:

“Considering the shifting popularity of crypto ATMs, various factors seem to be at play. For one, the transaction fees imposed by these machines often exceed those on online exchanges, posing a deterrent for heavy users. Additionally, the necessity to satisfy complex regulations and licensing requirements can be challenging and potentially overshadow the perceived advantages of in-person crypto transactions.”

Further tipping the scales away from crypto ATMs are alternatives like decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. 

Lower transaction costs, universal access, superior privacy and a broader range of supported cryptocurrencies make these projects increasingly compelling to many people. DeFi platforms also offer features such as staking, yield farming and borrowing — services typically absent from crypto ATMs.

Grewal believes that moving forward, crypto ATM operators will have to innovate and change to better serve the evolving needs of their consumers. 

Robert Quartly-Janeiro, chief strategy officer for cryptocurrency exchange Bitrue, told Primary companies currently dominate the crypto ATM market, something which needs to change for the market to grow and adoption to increase. 

Moreover, he believes that the physical location of crypto ATMs is also a major factor when it comes to engaging customers. He added:

“Ultimately, one of the key pillars for the mass adoption of crypto remains the ability to sell crypto for fiat currencies in-country. The landscape has changed slightly, so the need for crypto ATMs has changed economically, geographically, psychologically, as well as from an infrastructural standpoint.”

The economics of crypto ATMs

Most crypto ATMs in operation today run in collaboration with established companies like ChainBytes, LibertyX, CoinMe and others, which allow independent businesses to become “operators,” “partners,” or “hosts” for these machines. 

The return on investment depends on several factors, including the location of the business (e.g., commercial district, high-traffic area); the number of daily transactions; the average transaction size; the total expected revenue from transaction fees; and the marketing strategy to promote the crypto ATM in question.

According to crypto ATM firm Chainbytes, a single Bitcoin ATM can earn up to $3,000 monthly, with gross monthly revenues of $30,000.

Operating a crypto ATM presents several challenges as well. Regulatory complexities require operators to navigate often unclear laws, obtain necessary licenses, and comply with AML and KYC regulations. Security risks, both physical and digital, necessitate robust protective measures, adding to high operational costs that include machine maintenance and cash management. 

The inherent volatility of cryptocurrencies can also impact profitability, with significant value fluctuations potentially leading to financial losses. Operators must also maintain sufficient cryptocurrency and cash reserves to meet customer demand, as shortages could harm their reputation and business.

Who’s leading the global crypto ATM race?

Since the first crypto ATM debuted in a Vancouver coffee shop in 2013, the sector has evolved dramatically. Today, there are around 35,000 machines globally, transforming how people interact with digital currencies. 

The United States has the lion’s share of crypto ATMs globally. Source: Coin ATM Radar

The U.S. houses roughly 30,000 crypto ATMs, accounting for 86% of all such machines worldwide. 

Canada’s crypto ATM scene has also flourished over the last few years. As of Q1 2023, the country hosts 2,744 machines, while its European compatriot Spain boasts around 286 machines. 

Down under, Australia has also been making waves. After adding 99 ATMs in late 2022, it leapfrogged El Salvador and Poland to become the fourth-largest crypto ATM hub with around 473 kiosks.

The future of crypto ATMs

Despite the many hurdles impeding the growth of the crypto ATM market, the space is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The market — valued at $71.9 million in 2021 — is projected to rise to $5.45 billion by 2030.

However, for the sector to thrive, it will be crucial for operating companies to obtain regulatory clarity. Physical and digital security measures must also be enhanced to protect the machines and the transactions they facilitate. This includes robust cybersecurity measures to prevent digital hacks and adequate physical security to deter theft attempts. 

Finally, efforts must be made to reduce the operational costs of running these machines. This could involve developing more cost-effective kiosks, optimizing cash management processes and exploring alternative business models. Thus, as we head into a future driven by crypto-enabled tech, it will be interesting to see how the future of the crypto ATM market continues to evolve and grow.



Cryptocurrency

PENGU and SPX6900 Prices Pump Despite Market Dip as New Meme Coin Wall Street Pepe Raises $35M

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Christmas seems to have come early for Bitcoin and Ethereum bears, as both leading crypto assets have dipped over the last several days. BTC has fallen by almost -13% since December 17, while ETH has dropped by a similar amount at approximately -15%.

Most altcoins have suffered more challenging fates, with many tokens dropping by -30% or more in recent days.

However, as the saying goes, it’s time to buy when there’s blood in the streets – and this is also a key time to find strongly-performing cryptos that continue thriving, even while the market panics. PENGU (the official token of the Pudgy Penguins NFT project) and SPX6900 (a meme coin that satirises the S&P 500) are two such examples.

Both meme coins have seen strong rises on the daily charts, while another new token called Wall Street Pepe is turning heads having just hit the $35 million mark in its ongoing presale.

More Success Incoming for PENGU?

Building on the incredible global success of the Pudgy Penguins NFT collection (a crypto-native project that’s turned into a mainstream entertainment brand), the PENGU token has been subject to some controversy. As soon as the token launched on December 17, the floor price of the Pudgy Penguins NFT collection plummeted by over 50%, wiping out the huge price gains the collection had made since the early days of this month:

As the value of NFT collections is partly dependent on exclusive access to a brand, and the introduction of the PENGU token now means that anyone can invest in Pudgy Penguins at a more accessible price level, this precipitous dip is understandable.

However, the PENGU token is making significant moves in the right direction, breaking out of a descending triangle chart pattern. PENGU is up over 30% in the past 24 hours alone.

As we’ll see in the price chart below, the key resistance level for PENGU ($0.07) is approximately double the token’s current price:

This looks like the start of a potential rally for PENGU, which is already a fantastic achievement under current market conditions. Time will tell exactly where the price action goes from here, but at least PENGU holders haven’t been left out in the cold.

SPX6900 Also on the Up

While PENGU does its best to take off, SPX6900 is continuing to consolidate while bullish signals begin to emerge. The token is up over 20% in the past 24 hours, but the big picture is best indicated by the chart below:

Symmetrical triangle chart patterns are usually considered ambiguous rather than bullish – but in this instance, we can see a recent deviation below the green diagonal support line. This indicates a bullish resurgence, which catapulted the price into its biggest pump since late November.

Since that deviation point, the SPX6900 price has remained volatile, undergoing yet another dip, followed by another pump. This is definitely not a token for the faint of heart, but many investors and traders will still find it preferable to the bearish price action currently afflicting most of the crypto market. $1 remains the most vital resistance point for SPX6900 investors to target – and if we zoom into a lower time frame, we’ll find another interesting insight:

Even on the one-hour chart, SPX6900 has formed another symmetrical triangle that indicates bullish strength. The price is also consolidating below a potential breakout level – and the current chart pattern has a deadline to resolve itself by exactly the point where 2024 ends and 2025 begins, right down to the hour of midnight.

While SPX6900 remains volatile, an interesting meme coin presale has emerged in recent weeks that some investors have been quick to pour into.

Wall Street Pepe Presale Hits $35M – Next Breakout Meme Coin?

While so many crypto traders and investors have been struggling against the market in the past couple of weeks, Wall Street Pepe ($WEPE) has been breaking records. Its recently launched presale has hit $35m in around just 3 weeks, making it one of the fastest-growing ICOs right now.

This unique new meme coin project will give token holders access to special trading insights, strategies, and alpha calls that could increase their chances of making better investment and trading decisions.

By joining the WEPE community, everyday traders – usually considered the “fish” at the mercy of large whales and major institutions – can become empowered and equipped with everything they need to get ahead and win.

Token holders will also be able to enter weekly trading competitions, join the WEPE Army (a private group of insiders), and stake their WEPE tokens to generate passive income with impressive APY rates (currently 37%).

Frog meme coin projects like Pepe and Turbo have already achieved explosive success, and many investors seem to believe WEPE might be next.

Visit Wall Street Pepe Presale

Disclaimer: The above article is sponsored content; it’s written by a third party. CryptoPotato doesn’t endorse or assume responsibility for the content, advertising, products, quality, accuracy, or other materials on this page. Nothing in it should be construed as financial advice. Readers are strongly advised to verify the information independently and carefully before engaging with any company or project mentioned and do their own research. Investing in cryptocurrencies carries a risk of capital loss, and readers are also advised to consult a professional before making any decisions that may or may not be based on the above-sponsored content.

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Cryptocurrency

Litecoin Network Activity Surges, Reaching 401,000 Daily Active Addresses

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Litecoin has had an impressive rally this year, surging by almost 50%. The latest market crash, however, briefly dragged the altcoin below $87. The selling pressure has since subsided as Litecoin currently trades above $107.

Underpinning its price trajectory is the strong network growth.

Litecoin Network Engagement Soars

Litecoin’s network activity has witnessed a notable surge. In fact, data compiled by IntoTheBlock revealed that the average daily active addresses rose to 401,000 compared to 366,000 in 2023. Meanwhile, network activity peaked in early January, reaching an impressive 1.37 million active addresses in a single day – surpassing the daily activity of both Bitcoin and Ethereum at the time.

This spike demonstrated the protocol’s growing utility and user engagement amidst a bull season in the crypto industry.

Litecoin has also exhibited long-term investor confidence, as evidenced by data revealing that 53.9% of all LTC ever mined has been held without moving for more than a year, indicating that a large portion of its supply remains off the market.

Furthermore, 85.8% of all LTC has been held for over a month which highlighted a preference for sustained ownership among investors. The average hold time per LTC stands at 2.4 years, suggesting that many holders are not only committed but also view it as a long-term investment.

What’s Next For Litecoin?

One crypto analyst predicted that Litecoin could break its previously established ATH and reach $500 in the ongoing bull market.

While acknowledging that its growth trajectory may appear slow compared to other crypto assets, he highlighted its strong fundamentals and historical resilience as key drivers for upward momentum

Another one drew comparisons between Litecoin’s current market behavior and its performance during the 2017 bull run and suggested that history could be on the brink of repeating itself. The cryptocurrency appears to be showing promising signs of breaking out from its ongoing consolidation phase, with both the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicators signaling bullish momentum.

These technical signals indicate that the crypto asset could be gearing up for a surge, positioning it as a potential “dark horse” in the next crypto rally.

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Cryptocurrency

Altcoins Pumping With Bitget, Hedera Among Top Gainers as Best Wallet Raises $5.5M in Token ICO

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The broader crypto market is slightly recovering after its market cap dropped from $3.77 trillion to $3.13 trillion between December 17th and 20th.

Today, the crypto market cap stands at $3.31 trillion, but Hedera (HBAR) and Bitget (BGB) are some of the few tokens that stand out in a sea of red. Both are up over 20% in the last day.

However, established coins lack the explosive potential of tokens that are gearing up for launch, and Best Token (BEST) is grabbing attention as its presale gains momentum. With over $5.5 million raised and a unique role in Best Wallet’s ecosystem, it stands a solid shot at making significant gains on launch.

Bitget Secures a Strategic Partnership With TRON, Hedera Seeks to Transform Consumer Engagement

Bitget is already a top-tier exchange with a customer base of more than 45 million users and a daily volume that exceeds $10 billion. Its native token, BGB, is now recording new highs following a strategic partnership with TRON, which revolves around TRON’s meme coin launchpad, SunPump.

The partnership will see Bitget’s support for projects launched on SunPump, such as expedited listings and post-listing marketing, which can increase the visibility of these coins and allow Bitget’s users to invest in them.

The news led to an explosion in BGB’s price, which had a rough week that saw it plummet from $4.87 to $3.66 amidst the market-wide downturn. Today, BGB reached a new ATH at $4.97, and its technical indicators signal it could keep the momentum.

BGB is up 22% in the past day and over 214% in the last month.

With its 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $2.09 and 200-day SMA at $1.31, Bitget seems ready to make further short-term gains.

HBAR was one of the few altcoins that missed the market-wide rally in November following the US Election Day, but it saw its price skyrocket in early December when it reached a one-year high at $0.3891.

Although its price dropped since, entering this week at $0.2898, HBAR is now priced at $0.3112, following a presentation by Xiang Xu, Mondelez’s leader for digital strategy and blockchain, which outlined the company’s goal to leverage Hedera as they take a step toward a digital transformation.

HBAR is now up 131% over the past month.

Mondelez Internation is a company that owns brands like Oreo, Cadbury, and Tang and is a member of the Hedera Council.

HBAR’s sudden soar that defies the bearish market can be attributed to its increased visibility following the interview, which is likely drawing retail investors to the ambitious project.

Best Wallet Token a Smart Play for 2025 Altcoin Season?

As BGB soars, another platform utility token that’s catching eyes is BEST token, the native coin for Best Wallet.

Best Wallet is a rapidly growing Web3 wallet that’s leveraging its cutting-edge security and interesting features to achieve its goal of capturing 40% of the non-custodial wallet market by the end of 2026. The wallet already has over 100,000 monthly users despite being relatively new, and has now launched its BEST token presale and already raised over $5.5 million.

Currently, the wallet lets its users swap tokens across 50+ chains using its Best DEX feature, access presales in their early stages with Upcoming Tokens, use multiple wallets, and more. The project’s roadmap reveals Best Wallet’s intentions to add derivatives trading, a crypto debit card, an NFT library, a staking aggregator, and numerous other features as it expands.

Those holding BEST will enjoy various benefits, including lower transaction fees on Best DEX and Best Card, and exclusive alpha access to upcoming presales/

To maximize their returns, investors can earn additional BEST by staking their tokens and participating in Best Wallet’s airdrop campaign. The project’s staking APY currently stands at 405%, and participating in the airdrop campaign requires investors to interact with Best Wallet’s X (Twitter) page and complete daily and seasonal quests.

According to an audit by Coinsult, there are no critical threats to investor funds, and with 10% of its total token supply allocated to liquidity, BEST is reducing the risk of market manipulation, fostering a safe trading environment.

Investors don’t have long to secure BEST at its current price of $0.23325, as it is scheduled to increase tomorrow.

Visit Best Token Presale

Disclaimer: The above article is sponsored content; it’s written by a third party. CryptoPotato doesn’t endorse or assume responsibility for the content, advertising, products, quality, accuracy, or other materials on this page. Nothing in it should be construed as financial advice. Readers are strongly advised to verify the information independently and carefully before engaging with any company or project mentioned and do their own research. Investing in cryptocurrencies carries a risk of capital loss, and readers are also advised to consult a professional before making any decisions that may or may not be based on the above-sponsored content.

Readers are also advised to read CryptoPotato’s full disclaimer.

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