Can you sell bitcoin for cash at an ATM?
Yes, but only about 1 in 270 crypto ATMs buys bitcoin back. How to find one, what happens at the machine, and how to avoid a wasted trip.
· Guides
Most crypto ATMs only sell bitcoin. Of the 28,774 machines on Bitcoin Scouts on October 31, 2026, just 107 also buy it back for cash: about 1 in 270. So the first job is finding one, and the second is making sure it has cash when you get there.
Find a machine that pays out
- Search near you with the Can sell filter on. Only two-way machines show.
- Add Has cash to pay you to see machines that reported cash in the dispenser recently. Machines that run out can't pay you, even if they accept your bitcoin.
- Check the hours and the limits on the listing. Many cash-out machines are inside stores that close at night.
What happens at the machine
- Choose Sell and enter the amount. Machines pay in bills, so amounts often go in steps of $20.
- Verify your phone, and show ID if the amount needs it. Larger amounts always need more.
- The machine shows an address as a QR code. Scan it with your wallet and send exactly the amount on the screen.
- Wait for the payment to arrive. Some machines pay small amounts within a minute. Others wait for a blockchain confirmation, which usually takes 10 to 60 minutes, and print a code so you can come back for the cash.
- Take the cash and the receipt. The receipt has the transaction ID and the operator's phone number if anything goes wrong.
Avoid a wasted trip
- Send from a wallet you control. Exchanges can hold a withdrawal for review, and the machine may time out while you wait.
- Your wallet's network fee comes on top of the machine's fee. Send enough that the machine sees the full amount.
- Selling usually costs less than buying, but check the rate on the screen before you send. You can still cancel then.
- Keep the redemption code safe. Anyone holding it can collect the cash.
Is there a cheaper way?
If you have a bank account, selling on an exchange app and withdrawing to your bank is usually cheaper. It takes a day or two instead of an hour. A cash-out machine makes sense when you need cash today or don't want to link a bank.