UK authorities have [carried out raids](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-takes-action-against-unregistered-crypto-atm-operators-leeds#:~:text=No%20UK%20firms%20or%20individuals,down%20or%20face%20enforcement%20action.) on multiple sites in and around Leeds, targeting illegally operated crypto ATMs.

The operation aimed to gather evidence of machines suspected of facilitating buying or converting traditional currencies into digital coins, such as Bitcoin. These machines were found in various locations around the city, and authorities have taken action to shut down their operations.

## FCA investigated illegal crypto ATM UK operations

The [UK's FCA](/news/article/uk-fca-explains-low-crypto-approval) is taking action to enforce its prior announcement that any [crypto ATMs](/news/article/crypto-atm-bitcoin-business) operating within the country without proper authorisation are doing so illegally.

The financial regulatory body has partnered with the West Yorkshire police to combat the illegal operation of cryptocurrency ATMs in Leeds, a city in northern England. The West Yorkshire police's cyber team has identified "several live crypto ATMs", although they did not disclose the exact number or location of these machines.

According to Coin ATM Radar data, there are currently 27 [Bitcoin](/news/article/visa-bitcoin-debit-card-review) ATMs installed across the UK. This operation marks the country's first crackdown on illegally operated crypto ATMs, highlighting the FCA's commitment to upholding regulatory compliance in the burgeoning cryptocurrency market.

According to Detective Sergeant Lindsey Brants of West Yorkshire police, warning letters were issued to the illegal operators instructing them to cease their operations. The letters also clarified that any violation of regulations would lead to an investigation under money-laundering regulations.

## Cryptocurrency companies need to be registered under FCA

According to the FCA, all companies that offer cryptocurrency-related services in the UK must be registered with them to comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regulations.

The FCA has cautioned explicitly that none of the registered crypto asset businesses has the authorisation to provide ATM services. As a result, any UK crypto ATMs currently operating are considered to be doing so illegally.


red image of bitcoin atm and policeman in uk

UK Crypto ATM Raided by Financial Regulator 

One of the largest operators of [cryptocurrency ATMs](/news/article/bitcoin-atm), Bitcoin Depot, has decided to list by merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) on the Nasdaq exchange. Bitcoin Depot announced the merger with the SPAC GSR II Meteora Acquisition Group (GSRM) will be complete by the end of 2023.

Bitcoin Depot was founded in 2016 and is based out of Atlanta. Bitcoin Depot's services make it easy, fast, and convenient to exchange fiat currency for Bitcoin. 

The total price of the deal is forecast to be $885 million. The transaction estimates to raise around $321 million, which will be deposited into a trust account managed by GSRM and used to provide working capital for Bitcoin Depot.

The funds will provide working capital to expand the business's current and new products. 

## Over 7,000 Bitcoin Depot stores nationwide

Due to the planned listing during a market downturn, with investors' declining risk tolerance will make raising capital tricky. Bitcoin ATMs allow customers to purchase BTC or other cryptocurrencies with cash or debit cards. Cryptocurrencies are then sent instantly to the customer's [preferred wallet](/news/article/crypto-wallet-multiple-currencies).

You don't need to go to a cryptocurrency exchange platform to do all this! Scammers who post fake ads for goods on online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist have been linked to the crypto ATM business.

Scammers direct victims to deposit cash at an ATM and then transfer cryptocurrency to a specified address. These fraudulent vendors take payment but never send out the purchased items. Across the United States and Canada, BTC Depot has a network of over 7,000 retail locations.

Eighty countries now host over 38,000 cryptocurrency ATMs. Bitcoin Depot, headquartered in Atlanta, claims to have 19.1% of the global crypto ATM market.

## Crypto ATM business network expansion

Bitcoin Depot's mission is to spread awareness of BTC to the broadest audience possible. Cryptocurrencies have simplified the processing of monetary transactions.

BTC Depot's CEO and founder Brandon Mintz said, "Today marks an important milestone for Bitcoin Depot." We see a lot of potential for expansion, and we think going public will help us get closer to our ultimate goal of offering a simple and safe way to buy cryptocurrency. 

In recent years, SPACs have gained much popularity as a method of public listing. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned that SPACs will be subject to increased scrutiny, which one must consider before investing.

Crypto ATM business Bitcoin Depot to list as SPAC 

Retail giant [Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/) announces plans to roll out 200 Bitcoin ATMs across their United States stores.

Walmart plans to install Bitcoin ATMs across 200 of their stores allowing customers to exchange physical cash for bitcoin.

Working in partnership with ATM manufacturer Coinstar and crypto wallet Coinme, Walmart aim to speed crypto adoption and make it easier for the public to purchase bitcoin with physical cash, lowering the barrier to crypto entry.

Director of Communications at Walmart Molly Blakeman said: ‘Coinstar, in partnership with Coinme, have launched a pilot that allows its customers to use cash to purchase bitcoin. There are 200 Coinstar kiosks located inside Walmart stores across the United States that are part of this pilot.’

With 25,000 terminals already installed across the US, Bitcoin ATMs are nothing new, however many view Walmart’s involvement as an encouraging signal for widespread crypto adoption, especially for those in the lower income bracket.

## Coinme

Coinme describe themselves as a bitcoin wallet provider making it ‘easy to purchase bitcoin at participating Coinstar and Moneygram locations’.

Users simply have to download the wallet app for iOS or Android, create an account and verify their identity before finding a physical location to purchase their bitcoin. The simple to use mobile application will appeal to those who are put off buying crypto through complicated centralised exchanges.

## Coinstar

Coinstar is an established American owned ‘coin-cashing machine company’ which was founded in 1991 and taken over by Apollo Global Management in 2016. Its primary business model focuses on the conversion of loose change into paper currency, donations and gift cards via their coin-counter kiosks. Branching into cryptocurrency seems like the logical next step.

The purchase process has been designed to be accessible and simple.

Bitcoin buyers simply insert physical money into the coin-counter kiosk, state how much bitcoin they would like to buy and receive a voucher with a unique redemption code. Purchasers then redeem their bitcoin by logging in to their Coinme wallet and inputting the specified code.

The initial pilot is for 200 Bitcoin ATMs through Walmart’s biggest stores with plans for a further 8,000 to be rolled out if the pilot proves popular.

However, many people were quick to criticise the high fees involved with the ATMs. With 4% added as a ‘trade fee’ and a further 7% added as a ‘cash transaction fee’ many people labelled the ATMs a ‘rip off’.

Whether the Bitcoin ATMs prove to be a hit remains to be seen, however what the pilot clearly shows is that retail giants such as Walmart have a strong interest in providing crypto accessibility to all corners of society.

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