
Latin America’s Bitcoin ATM ecosystem reveals a surprising contradiction in cryptocurrency adoption across the region.
El Salvador stands as the undisputed leader, dominating the landscape with the highest number of Bitcoin ATMs.
LATAM leader in Bitcoin ATMs
According to Coin ATM Radar, El Salvador has 215 Bitcoin ATMs, far ahead of its regional competitors.
This remarkable achievement underscores El Salvador’s leading role in incorporating cryptocurrencies into its economy, especially following its historic decision to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.
Puerto Rico is in second place with 162 Bitcoin ATMs.
However, the difference between the two is significant, reflecting the leader’s aggressive efforts towards cryptocurrency integration.
Mexico ranks third, operating 100 Bitcoin ATMs – less than half the number of the leading country.
LATAM Crypto ATM Ecosystem
Beyond the top three, the distribution of Bitcoin ATMs in Latin America shows notable disparities.
Panama ranks fourth with 42 ATMs, while Colombia rounds out the top five with 34.
These figures highlight the varying rates of adoption of cryptocurrency services within the region.
Globally, the number of operational Bitcoin ATMs reached 39,959 on December 1, 2022.
However, this has since stabilized, with approximately 37,249 active ATMs reported as of 24 January 2025.
Of these, almost all—37,238—support Bitcoin transactions, while only 18,472 facilitate altcoin operations.
This discrepancy underlines Bitcoin’s dominant role as a decentralized peer-to-peer payment system, far ahead of other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, despite Ethereum’s position as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
bitcoin atm market concentration
The Bitcoin ATM market is highly concentrated.
Coin ATM shows data from radar The top 10 operators control 28,771 ATMs or 77.2% of total ATMs.
Meanwhile, 346 smaller operators manage the remaining 22.8% of the 8,477 ATMs. This concentration could stifle competition and innovation in the sector.
The leading country’s dominance of Bitcoin ATMs provides valuable insight into boosting cryptocurrency adoption.
Its proactive policies and investments in Bitcoin infrastructure serve as a model for other countries aiming to integrate digital currencies.
However, the uneven pace of adoption across Latin America points to the challenges of digital transformation.
Nations looking to bridge the gap should focus on the technical infrastructure and regulatory framework to unlock the full potential of cryptocurrencies.
As the world increasingly moves toward digital currencies, the growth and distribution of Bitcoin ATMs will play a key role in shaping the future of cryptocurrency adoption in Latin America.
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