Poland Expands Bitcoin ATM Network, Becoming a Major Crypto Hub

Bitcoin accessibility is growing in Poland, with the country adding 10 new crypto ATMs, bringing its total to 219.

This latest expansion places it ahead of El Salvador, making it the fifth-largest Bitcoin ATM hub worldwide, trailing only the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Spain

Since October 2024, Poland has aggressively expanded its ATM network, installing 24 new machines as part of an ongoing push to improve access to digital assets. At the same time, other leading markets, including Canada, Spain, and Australia, have been steadily increasing their machine counts, reflecting broader global adoption.

El Salvador, once a leader in Bitcoin ATM installations, has seen no further expansion beyond its initial 215 machines. Despite this, Juan Carlos Reyes, head of the National Commission of Digital Assets (NCDA), argues that ATM growth isn’t the only measure of Bitcoin adoption. The country has embraced mobile payments, with businesses and citizens using Bitcoin wallets for everyday transactions, reducing reliance on physical machines.

While these machines provide convenience, Reyes likens counting ATMs as a measure of adoption to judging phone usage by the number of landlines—an outdated metric in a digital-first world. The shift toward direct wallet payments is making crypto ATMs less central to daily transactions.

At the same time, concerns over potential misuse persist. Regulatory bodies continue to scrutinize crypto ATMs for possible links to financial crimes, but El Salvador has strict anti-money laundering (AML) policies in place to ensure compliance.

Worldwide, 38,100 Bitcoin ATMs are operational across 65 countries, with Australia seeing consistent growth. In April 2024, the country surpassed 1,000 active machines, joining the U.S. and Canada in the top tier of crypto ATM adoption. While some nations focus on expanding infrastructure, others are prioritizing regulatory compliance and alternative payment methods, shaping the future of Bitcoin accessibility in different ways.