One of the World’s Largest ATM Manufacturers Announces Bitcoin Support

Buying bitcoin just keeps getting easier, with vendors of all kinds adding support for the cryptocurrency. Just days ago, Square revealed they were adding the ability to buy BTC within their app. Now Hyosung have gotten in on the act by launching bitcoin ATM support. Soon, customers of the firm’s ATM machines will be able to buy bitcoin at the push of a button.

Also read: Square Cash App Users Trial New Buy and Sell Bitcoin Feature

Bitcoin On Demand

Hyosung have announced they will add bitcoin transaction support with the aid of Just Cash. Once activated, the bitcoin ATM service will operate very similarly to a conventional transaction. Instead of withdrawing fiat currency, digital currency will be despatched to the recipient’s wallet using a QR scan. While bitcoin is the first cryptocurrency to be added, there is talk of other coins being added in due course.

Hyosung are one of South Korea’s largest industrial companies, boasting over 25,000 employees and revenue of U.S. $17 billion in 2015. ATM manufacture is just a small part of their operations; the company also dabble in construction and chemicals among other things. Within South Korea however they are best known for their ATMs which can be found up and down the country.

First Korea, Tomorrow the World

South Korea’s love of all things bitcoin is well-documented, but Hyosung’s operations aren’t limited to their home turf; the corporation have a global presence, including a huge number of ATMs in the U.S. Hyosung don’t partner with banks to supply ATMs in America: instead, their machines can be found in convenience stores and gas stations, whose owners derive income from the fees generated.

In announcing news of bitcoin ATM integration, Hyosung touted a number of benefits that vendors can expect to enjoy. These include easy implementation, no hardware required, a new revenue stream, and the ability to attract new and repeat customers. Because the feature will be added to ATMs as a software upgrade, bitcoin compatibility should be rolled out quickly. Interestingly, it looks like there will also be the ability to exchange cryptocurrency for cash, although there is no word on how this reverse feature will work.

Bitcoin as a Service

There is no word yet on what the commission and exchange rate will be when purchasing bitcoin from one of Hyosung’s upgraded ATMs. Generally speaking, bitcoin ATMs are more expensive than other methods of purchasing the cryptocurrency such as via an exchange. Customers who struggle to obtain the documentation to complete lengthy KYC procedures, or who simply lack the technical knowledge, however, may find bitcoin via ATM an ideal solution. For those who bank on the cryptocurrency continuing to rise, a few dollars in transaction fees is a small price to pay.

Would you use an ATM to buy bitcoin? Let us know in the comments section below.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock, and Hyosung.

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