How to use a bitcoin ATM
Buying bitcoin with cash takes about five minutes the first time. Here's what to expect.
Find a machine that's working
Search Bitcoin Scouts for machines near you. Look for Working and a recent confirmation, check the hours, and note the fee.
Get your own wallet ready
Install a bitcoin wallet app and open its Receive screen to show your address as a QR code. Only ever use a wallet you control. If someone else sent you a QR code to scan, stop: that's how scams work.
Bring your phone and ID
Most machines text you a code. Larger amounts need a photo ID; the listing shows the limits when the operator tells us.
Choose Buy and scan your wallet
Pick the coin, then hold your phone's QR code up to the machine's scanner.
Check the price, then insert cash
The screen shows the rate and how much bitcoin you'll get. If it doesn't match what you expected, cancel. Insert bills one at a time.
Finish and keep the receipt
Confirm, take the receipt (it has the transaction ID and the operator's phone number) and watch your wallet. Bitcoin usually arrives within an hour.
To sell bitcoin for cash
Only some machines buy bitcoin back (use the Sell filter). Choose Sell, enter the amount, send bitcoin to the address the machine shows, and wait for it to confirm. Some machines give you a code to collect the cash later.