Poland has steadily increased its Bitcoin ATM installations over the past four months, surpassing El Salvador with 219 active machines.The country installed 12 new Bitcoin ATMs in January alone.
These machines serve as a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets, enhancing accessibility for crypto users.
The US leads with over 30,000 Bitcoin ATMs, followed by Canada with more than 3,000 installed in the nation.
Poland has El Salvador in the global Bitcoin ATM rankings, securing its place as the fifth-largest crypto ATM hub worldwide. The country recently added 10 new Bitcoin ATMs on January 27, bringing its total count to 219 machines – four more than El Salvador, which has maintained 215 ATMs since 2022.
Bitcoin ATMs play a crucial role in bridging the gap between traditional financial systems and digital assets, allowing users to easily buy and sell Bitcoin without relying on centralized exchanges. With crypto adoption on the rise, these machines offer a practical solution for people looking for direct access to digital assets, whether for investment, remittances, or day-to-day transactions.
El Salvador Slips from the Top Five Bitcoin ATM Hubs
El Salvador was once a dominant force in the Bitcoin ATM space, ranking as the fifth-largest hub globally after installing 215 machines in 2022 to support its ambitious Bitcoin adoption strategy. However, while other nations continued expanding their ATM networks, El Salvador’s numbers have remained stagnant, leading to its slip in the rankings.
The United States and Canada still lead the global Bitcoin ATM network by a significant margin. The US alone accounts for 30,780 machines, making up over 80% of all Bitcoin ATMs worldwide, while Canada follows with 3,062 ATMs (8%).
Other countries like Australia and Spain rank third and fourth, respectively, with 1,389 and 276 active ATMs.
At its peak, El Salvador stood firmly in fifth place with its 215 Bitcoin ATMs, playing a vital role in facilitating Bitcoin transactions after the government adopted BTC as a legal tender in 2021. However, its lack of further installations has now caused it to fall behind Poland, which has been steadily increasing its Bitcoin ATM network over the past four months.
In January alone, Poland installed 12 new Bitcoin ATMs, continuing an expansion trend that began in October 2024.
Poland vs. El Salvador: Contrasting Bitcoin Strategies
Despite their shared interest in Bitcoin, Poland and El Salvador have taken very different approaches to adoption. El Salvador’s strategy has been largely government-driven, with President Nayib Bukele spearheading initiatives such as Bitcoin-backed Volcano Bonds and continued BTC purchases despite international pressure from the IMF.
However, the country’s lack of infrastructure expansion, including no new ATM installations, suggests a focus on long-term Bitcoin investment rather than everyday usability.
Poland, on the other hand, has taken a more infrastructure-based approach. Instead of pushing for Bitcoin as an official currency, Poland has concentrated on making crypto transactions more accessible through ATMs, fostering organic adoption among its citizens.
The country’s regulatory stance on crypto remains relatively neutral, with authorities focusing more on taxation and compliance rather than aggressive promotion or restriction.
Regulatory environments in both countries also differ significantly. In El Salvador, Bitcoin enjoys full legal status, allowing businesses and individuals to use it freely for transactions. However, the nation’s regulatory framework is still evolving, particularly in areas like consumer protection and financial oversight.
In contrast, Poland remains under the European Union’s broader regulatory umbrella, enforcing stricter compliance requirements while still allowing Bitcoin to thrive within legal boundaries.
