Poland Surpasses El Salvador to Become the Fifth-Largest Bitcoin ATM Network Globally

Poland Surpasses El Salvador to Become the Fifth-Largest Bitcoin ATM Network Globally

On January 27, Poland added 10 new Bitcoin ATMs, boosting its total count to 219 active machines and overtaking El Salvador to secure the fifth spot in the global cryptocurrency ATM rankings. The only countries ahead of Poland are the United States, Canada, Australia, and Spain.

Poland’s surge in Bitcoin ATM installations forms part of a four-month expansion effort that began in October 2024, resulting in 24 new ATMs being set up during this period. Data from Bitcoin ATM Radar shows that many leading nations, including Canada, Spain, and Australia, continue to see month-over-month growth in their ATM networks.

El Salvador’s Early Lead Faces a Stalemate

Despite an early lead as a pioneer in Bitcoin adoption, El Salvador has stagnated in expanding its cryptocurrency ATM network. By October 2022, the country had installed 215 machines, making it the third-largest Bitcoin ATM hub at the time. However, no new installations have been reported since, marking a stark contrast to the expansion strategies of other major economies.

Poland, in comparison, has aggressively expanded its network, adding 12 new ATMs in January 2025 alone, with more installations expected before month’s end.

Top 10 Countries by Bitcoin ATM Installations

The current global rankings for Bitcoin ATM networks are as follows:

1. United States – 30,780 ATMs (80.8%)
2. Canada – 3,062 ATMs (8%)
3. Australia – 1,389 ATMs (3.6%)
4. Spain – 276 ATMs (0.7%)
5. Poland – 219 ATMs (0.6%)
6. El Salvador – 215 ATMs (0.6%)
7. Hong Kong – 196 ATMs (0.5%)
8. New Zealand – 191 ATMs (0.5%)
9. Germany – 173 ATMs (0.5%)
10. Puerto Rico – 162 ATMs (0.4%)

The Role of Bitcoin ATMs in Adoption

While Bitcoin ATMs do not directly influence cryptocurrency adoption rates, they play a significant role in providing grassroots exposure to the technology and facilitating financial inclusion for the unbanked. However, regulators have expressed concerns about their potential misuse for illicit activities, such as money laundering and terrorism financing.

Globally, approximately 38,100 crypto ATMs are operational across 65 countries, supported by 356 operators.

Australia’s Steady Growth

Among the leaders, Australia has demonstrated consistent growth in its Bitcoin ATM network over nearly three years. It joined the exclusive “1,000+ Bitcoin ATMs” club in April 2024, alongside the United States and Canada.

As countries like Poland continue to expand their crypto ATM networks, the global infrastructure for cryptocurrency access becomes increasingly robust, marking a significant step forward in mainstream adoption.