Today a maker of Bitcoin ATMs claimed that it launched the US' first such machine in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The maker of the machines, Lamassu, says on its website that users can purchase bitcoins by scanning a bitcoin QR code and inserting cash. The machine, which costs $5,000, "accepts notes from over 200 countries" and is "compatible with leading exchanges, such as Mt. Gox and Bitstamp."

Bitcoin machines that allow both purchasing bitcoins and swapping bitcoins for US dollars are coming from another company called Robocoin. That company has said it will install its machines in Seattle and Austin next month, Reuters reported today.

"The kiosks... are similar to ATMs but have scanners to read government-issued identification such as a driver's license or a passport to confirm users' identities," Reuters wrote. "The ATMs will allow people to swap Bitcoin for cash, or deposit cash to buy more Bitcoin by transferring funds to or from a virtual wallet on their smartphones."

Robocoin's website shows the interface users can expect to see when making Bitcoin transactions:

Robocoin previously installed a Bitcoin ATM in Vancouver last fall. As GigaOm noted, the machine "created a global media buzz and racked up over $100,000 of transactions in eight days."