Bitcoin Depot has started requiring identity verification for each transaction at its ATMs, the company announced as part of a new process.

Operator footprint

Bitcoin Depot operates more than 9 000 cryptocurrency ATMs across the United States and controls nearly one third of the country’s Bitcoin-ATM network.

New verification process

The operator introduced a so-called continuous verification system that requires users to verify identity not only at account setup but at every subsequent transaction attempt.

The system evaluates transactions before confirmation using multiple parameters, including transaction amount, geolocation, user behavior and other risk indicators.

Corporate rationale

According to CEO Scott Buchanan, the measure is intended to fight fraud, identity theft and the use of accounts by unauthorized third parties.

Impact on offline anonymity

Industry observers note that requiring persistent identity checks at physical terminals reduces the anonymity previously associated with offline cryptocurrency access via ATMs.

For users, the change increases verification friction at the point of sale while companies aim to strengthen transaction monitoring and risk controls around cash-to-crypto flows.