In a notable event, Bitcoin Depot, touted as the planet’s most substantial crypto ATM operator, saw its shares skyrocket over two-fold following its NASDAQ inauguration. This surge was consequent to its fusion with Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) GSR II Meteora (GSRM) in an $885 million valuation deal last August. The Atlanta-based firm, bearing the ticker BTM, became the first crypto ATM operator to list on a prominent U.S. stock market.
Subsequent to a short-lived pre-market trading peak at $6.60, over double of GSRM’s Friday closing price, BTM shares adopted a resilient stance at $3.39, a marginal 5% elevation over Friday’s level.
Crypto ATMs provide an enticing prospect for crypto enthusiasts, enabling them to purchase their chosen virtual currency with fiat or debit cards and facilitating a quick transfer to a designated wallet, skipping the need for a crypto exchange. Nevertheless, this convenience has not been without ramifications. In a concerning trend, ATM’s have been reportedly leveraged by fraudsters who categorize goods on popular portals but mandate their payment via a physical cash deposit in an ATM.
Boasting an operation of around 6,000 machines, Bitcoin Depot wields a 20% share of the U.S. market and a 17.6% portion of the global market, as per Coin ATM Radar.
Cognizant of the “highly fragmented” state of the crypto ATM market, Bitcoin Depot’s chief, Brandon Mintz, sees a vast expanse filled with opportunities for assimilation within the sector. Observing the moderate M&A activity in the crypto ATM field in comparison to other crypto and blockchain segments, Mintz finds the potential for market amalgamation stimulating.
Underlining this ambitious perspective, Bitcoin Depot has ramped up its operations by installing ATMs across 2,000 Circle K convenience stores within the last two years. Projecting a similar trajectory ahead, the company envisages to form installation agreements with other “household name retailers” along with a mix of smaller regional chains, Mintz added. A testament that the crypto ATM industry is pursuing a growth-oriented path that is as enticing as it is laden with perils.
Source: Coindesk
