Cryptocurrency
Economics of Bitcoin ATM market could hinder wider adoption
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
$200K Bitcoin (BTC) This Year? On-Chain Metrics Make a Strong Case

Bitcoin has entered a technical correction phase after reaching an all-time high of $123,400 on July 14. The crypto asset is down by almost 7% as it currently trades near $114,000. The drop is attributed to macroeconomic pressures such as inflation and tariffs, bearish technical signals, and liquidation events.
Data suggests that Q4 historically benefits Bitcoin, and after a strong July, bulls are hopeful for another breakout.
Bitcoin’s Technical Dip
CryptoQuant views the decline as primarily technical and said that the market is still in a broader price discovery cycle. This cycle, which reflects market attempts to determine Bitcoin’s fair value through supply and demand, could push the price toward the $200,000 level by the end of Q4 2025.
BTC has traditionally seen strong performance in Q4, and current market conditions could help continue that seasonal pattern. Binance’s on-chain data reveals large stablecoin reserves. This points to a considerable amount of sidelined capital that could soon flow back into the market, potentially boosting Bitcoin and prominent altcoins like BNB. This, in turn, may set the stage for a potential altseason.
The current reflexive relationship between Bitcoin and emerging treasury investors could aid its price discovery in Q4. But whether altcoins will follow suit remains uncertain amid growing market crowding. Nonetheless, institutional interest may further boost Bitcoin’s upward trajectory in the coming months.
Adding to this narrative, Glassnode noted that Bitcoin’s $109K-$116K range is steadily filling during price dips, which reflects continued investor interest. The consistent staircase-like pattern suggests steady accumulation. Additionally, minimal selling between $118K-$120K means that investors in this range are largely holding, which indicates confidence in long-term price appreciation.
Big Bets On Year-End Rally
Several market watchers remain optimistic about a strong year-end comeback despite the current pullback. TeraHash, for one, recently predicted a price range of $130K-$150K by December, citing ETF inflows, potential Fed rate cuts, and upcoming regulatory clarity from the SEC and MiCA framework. Important catalysts include continued ETF inflows, Fed policy easing in September, and full implementation of Europe’s MiCA framework.
Meanwhile, on-chain data shows surging mining difficulty and geographic expansion, while Hashrate-as-a-Service models attract institutions seeking exposure with less risk.
Bullish projections also came from Fundstrat’s Tom Lee and American venture capital investor Tim Draper, who forecast $250K by year-end. Even more aggressive predictions from Charles Schwab and Mike Novogratz place Bitcoin at $1 million by the end of 2025.
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Cryptocurrency
Important Binance Announcement: Here’s Why Some Services Will be Suspended This Week

TL;DR
- Binance will halt USDC withdrawals on certain networks for approximately two hours.
- Over the past several days, the exchange introduced new features, including Discount Buy and Binance Wallet (Web).
Attention, Binance Users
The world’s largest crypto exchange will perform wallet maintenance for USDC withdrawals via Ethereum (ETH), Polygon (POL), Arbitrum (ARB), Base (BASE), and Optimism (OP) networks on August 6. To support the process, USDC withdrawals through the networks above will be halted on that day. The maintenance is expected to be concluded in two hours, and after that, all services will be resumed.
Binance assured that the trading of tokens on the depicted networks will not be impacted and promised to handle all technical requirements involved for the users. It also said there will be no further announcements on the matter.
The company regularly conducts such operations to enhance the overall user experience and ensure the seamless operation of its services. Last week, it paused all deposits and withdrawals due to a live upgrade on its wallet network infrastructure.
Over the past several months, it briefly suspended services on the TRON, Cardano, and other networks because of similar efforts.
Binance’s Latest Features
The company frequently introduces new products to address ongoing market trends and provide additional services to its users. Just a few days ago, it unveiled Discount Buy – a feature which allows clients to make advanced crypto purchases in markets with lower volatility.
Included in Binance’s Earn portfolio, this product lets users lock in future buys at pre-set prices under market value, or collect a fixed APR if the trade isn’t carried out.
“Discount Buy is well-suited for users who anticipate limited price fluctuations and want to accumulate crypto at a discount without needing to time the market or monitor prices closely. It offers flexibility across investment scenarios, giving users more choices and opportunities in how they want to participate in the crypto market,” said Jeff Li, VP of Product at Binance.
Earlier this week, the exchange introduced Binance Wallet (Web), which allows users to “trade smart, fast, and securely, all without leaving their desktops.” A key feature of the offering is Secure Auto Sign (SAS) – a new signing method that enables customers to approve transactions once and trade seamlessly for up to seven days, without repeated confirmations.
The product is specifically designed for those who want to discover new meme coins, follow on-chain activities in real time, explore transaction history and token balances in one place, and access Alpha tokens.
“Binance Wallet (Web) was introduced to address desktop-specific needs. It offers more screen space, modular layouts, and faster multitasking for on-chain users who trade actively or monitor multiple signals.
While the mobile app excels in portability, Binance Wallet (Web) enables plugin-free, browser-native trading with floating widgets and real-time data panels, all on a single page. It is ideal for meme coin discovery, wallet tracking, and strategy execution without tab switching,” the disclosure reads.
Currently, the feature supports BNB Smart Chain and Solana. Clients of the exchange can instantly connect their account to Binance Wallet (Web) via QR code, with no additional setup required.
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Cryptocurrency
ETH Open Interest Sees Dramatic Rise – 3.5x Higher Than 2021 Bull Run Levels

Ethereum’s Open Interest (OI) on Binance has surged to a record $8.7 billion, which indicates a significant increase in speculative positioning on the platform.
This represents a dramatic rise compared to the 2021 bull market, when ETH traded at similar price levels but OI on Binance peaked at only $2.5 billion.
Ethereum’s Market Is Heating Up
In its latest analysis, CryptoQuant revealed that the current figure, nearly 3.5 times higher, highlighted the growing appetite for leveraged exposure in Ethereum’s market. Despite this surge in OI, funding rates, interestingly, remain neutral, indicating that traders are not yet heavily biased toward long or short positions.
The lack of directional conviction hints at room for further buildup in positions without triggering immediate liquidation pressures. The increase in OI, paired with neutral funding, paints a picture of cautious but growing speculative interest.
With the broader crypto market trending upward, these conditions may support a steady rally in the leading altcoin’s price, potentially accompanied by increased volatility.
CryptoQuant said that the current setup is a constructive signal, and added that Ethereum has a high chance of continuing its bullish trajectory. The quiet accumulation of leveraged positions on Binance, absent extreme sentiment, may be laying the groundwork for the next phase of price expansion. As traders position themselves, Ethereum could be primed for a sharper move in the near term.
Ethereum Defies Market Outflows
Despite the broader market turbulence last week, Ethereum continued to attract investor interest and secured its 15th straight week of inflows with $133 million. While digital asset investment products saw net outflows of $223 million, the first in 15 weeks, Ethereum stood out for maintaining positive momentum.
The week began with a strong $883 million in inflows but reversed sharply after hawkish signals from the FOMC and strong US economic data. Bitcoin bore the brunt of the risk-off sentiment and lost $404 million.
Still, CoinShares said that the recent correction likely reflects profit-taking, not fading confidence, especially as Ethereum and select altcoins like XRP and Solana remained resilient.
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