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Topic: How is KYC enforced in Bitcoin ATMs worldwide? (Read 432 times)

legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 1722
Yes, that happens sometimes.

What happened, again with the AML rules?

IIRC, in Germany their competitor did some lobbying & snitching causing German authorities to go after ATM operators who weren't adequately compliant. There was a thread about it somewhere but I can't find it now.
legendary
Activity: 2912
Merit: 6403
Blackjack.fun
~.

Today you could sell with close to 0% fee (in other markets, too) and it was the buying fees which got jacked. Rates change depending on which way the market is going because they're said to have some banking problems.

Looool.. Grin Grin Grin
You could actually sell at more than the exchange price...Bitfinex right now is as 6988.33 GBP


The RON pair seems to be still under the price by a hefty margin, 35k with 39k.

One more thing:

Quote
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren. Bis die Angelegenheit mit BaFin geklärt ist, sind unsere Dienste in Deutschland gesperrt. Unsere Geldautomaten und Wechselstuben in Deutschland sind derzeit geschlossen.
Quote
Dear Sirs and Madames. Until the matter is resolved with BaFin, our services in Germany are blocked. Our ATMs and exchange offices in Germany are currently closed.

What happened, again with the AML rules?

legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 1722
It's the same in all places lately, I used a VPN (for some reason I can change to other currency on their website) and I got a 7.7% even in RON and GBP.
And in Poland, they advertise 6.5% right now, the reality is actually worse.

Today you could sell with close to 0% fee (in other markets, too) and it was the buying fees which got jacked. Rates change depending on which way the market is going because they're said to have some banking problems.
newbie
Activity: 4
Merit: 10
Used many machines across Europe and never had to KYC ? Not sure of the benefit of using a Bitcoin ATM if I have need to go through an identity verification process, for me at least.
legendary
Activity: 2912
Merit: 6403
Blackjack.fun
For some reason their fees fluctuate all the time. Right now, here in Poland I'm also seeing the highest fees ever, almost 7.2% if I wanted to sell through them (by comparison with Flyingatom I'd pay a fee of 4%, still quite a lot but not as nasty).

It's the same in all places lately, I used a VPN (for some reason I can change to other currency on their website) and I got a 7.7% even in RON and GBP.
And in Poland, they advertise 6.5% right now, the reality is actually worse.

We had a discussion about them a few months ago and by that time I was only suspicious about their connections but still, the prices were great, but that's gone, the times when you could make a transaction with below 4% seem to be over. What's left is their no info needed and their enormous reserves in their machines, the one in Frankfurt has over 120k euros right now...

Probably it was just marketing to attract big players who care about the secrecy, with LB cash option gone, there is almost no option left for large amounts that involve close to zero risks.
legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 1722
Yeah, shitcoins was great till they've fucked up the rates it's 6.5% on sell now and sometimes it goes well beyond that what they advertise.
Currently, if you do a simulation it's actually 7.3% on their website.

For some reason their fees fluctuate all the time. Right now, here in Poland I'm also seeing the highest fees ever, almost 7.2% if I wanted to sell through them (by comparison with Flyingatom I'd pay a fee of 4%, still quite a lot but not as nasty).

But if I wanted to buy through shitcoins, (right now) I'd only pay a fee of 0.77%. I noticed that shitcoins tends to have better rates when selling when the BTC price is falling, and better rates when buying when the price is increasing.
legendary
Activity: 3066
Merit: 1047
Your country may be your worst enemy

On bitcoin.de or Kraken, I've never paid a fee higher than .5%.
My Visa card used to have a €1,000 daily limit, but I asked my bank to raise it, and they did.

Am I used to good deals and service? I think not.

5 €250 withdrawals would mean a €87.5 fee. I say "OUCH". Please stop.


5% out of 1250 is 62.5.

You won't usually get below 2% with an ATM (or ~2-3%). But you lose privacy if you use banks, Visa, etc., so depending on the user's need a higher fee might not be that discouraging if it isn't too high.

.5% is 0.5% (US writing) whereas the only BTC ATM in working order which I've seen in my life had a 7% fee, that makes the fee 14 times more expensive.
legendary
Activity: 2912
Merit: 6403
Blackjack.fun
So i am interested in how much i can rely on Btc ATMs with travelling on some other country

Well, don't!
Apart from other aspects like fees or possible changes in KYC regulations that haven't been updated, you must also consider this
- ATM is out of order, ATM is out of cash
- the location of the ATM is closed for different reasons
- the ATM malfunctions and it's the only one by that company in that town so you won't be able to use the coupon some give to reclaim cash at other location
and many more.

Better use them when you don't really need the $ to have some time till you run out of funds, not to get stranded near a mall with 50cents in your pocket and more importantly, always have a back-up option.

You need to look for the BTC ATMs from shitcoins.club if you don't want to bother with KYC. Their machines have no verification.

Yeah, shitcoins was great till they've fucked up the rates it's 6.5% on sell now and sometimes it goes well beyond that what they advertise.
Currently, if you do a simulation it's actually 7.3% on their website.


 
legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 1722

On bitcoin.de or Kraken, I've never paid a fee higher than .5%.
My Visa card used to have a €1,000 daily limit, but I asked my bank to raise it, and they did.

Am I used to good deals and service? I think not.

5 €250 withdrawals would mean a €87.5 fee. I say "OUCH". Please stop.


5% out of 1250 is 62.5.

You won't usually get below 2% with an ATM (or ~2-3%). But you lose privacy if you use banks, Visa, etc., so depending on the user's need a higher fee might not be that discouraging if it isn't too high.
legendary
Activity: 3066
Merit: 1047
Your country may be your worst enemy
@countryfree

Yeah, 7% it sucks for us, especially if we have a lot of other alternatives, but for those who don't, it doesn't and they're fine with it.
It's like the fees when purchasing with a bank card. Or when you want to sell using a decentralized exchange and the best offer you can get is 5% below the market :/ Otherwise you could use a P2P marketplace with an offer 15% below
If no choice...

The 250€ limit isn't really a problem, to compare, our bank cards have a weekly and monthly limit but we never complain

...but that depends on the country ...
Doedn't it depend on the ATM network? (the machines provider)

I've used decentralized exchanges before and you can get offers at 5% under the market because you're willing to instantly trade funds. You can place an offer yourself at spot price or above the market, so you become the one having 5% overall profit.

But what if 5 customers successively go and withdraw ~250 EUR from an ATM in a matter of minutes? Why would the ATM not just stop after the first 2-3 customers and ask for identification? AFAIK, most ATMs have this "if we consider a transaction to be suspicious, we reserve the right to request documents for identity verification" rule you agree to once you start using it.

On bitcoin.de or Kraken, I've never paid a fee higher than .5%.
My Visa card used to have a €1,000 daily limit, but I asked my bank to raise it, and they did.

Am I used to good deals and service? I think not.

5 €250 withdrawals would mean a €87.5 fee. I say "OUCH". Please stop.
legendary
Activity: 1134
Merit: 1598
@countryfree

Yeah, 7% it sucks for us, especially if we have a lot of other alternatives, but for those who don't, it doesn't and they're fine with it.
It's like the fees when purchasing with a bank card. Or when you want to sell using a decentralized exchange and the best offer you can get is 5% below the market :/ Otherwise you could use a P2P marketplace with an offer 15% below
If no choice...

The 250€ limit isn't really a problem, to compare, our bank cards have a weekly and monthly limit but we never complain

...but that depends on the country ...
Doedn't it depend on the ATM network? (the machines provider)

I've used decentralized exchanges before and you can get offers at 5% under the market because you're willing to instantly trade funds. You can place an offer yourself at spot price or above the market, so you become the one having 5% overall profit.

But what if 5 customers successively go and withdraw ~250 EUR from an ATM in a matter of minutes? Why would the ATM not just stop after the first 2-3 customers and ask for identification? AFAIK, most ATMs have this "if we consider a transaction to be suspicious, we reserve the right to request documents for identity verification" rule you agree to once you start using it.

I just cannot feel safe knowing I'm transferring my fiat or BTC to someone else and my money may be stuck in their accounts until I provide identity proof..
legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 1722
Doedn't it depend on the ATM network? (the machines provider)

That usually depends on local regulations and their enforcement. At worst if they're hazy then different operators might have different perceptions of risk. Where I am it's still at ~15k EUR (EU limit for cash transactions without KYC where a company/sole trader is at least one of the parties of the transaction), but if AMLD 5-6 get adopted here that might end and KYC-less limits will see significant decreases.
copper member
Activity: 2940
Merit: 4101
Top Crypto Casino
@countryfree

Yeah, 7% it sucks for us, especially if we have a lot of other alternatives, but for those who don't, it doesn't and they're fine with it.
It's like the fees when purchasing with a bank card. Or when you want to sell using a decentralized exchange and the best offer you can get is 5% below the market :/ Otherwise you could use a P2P marketplace with an offer 15% below
If no choice...

The 250€ limit isn't really a problem, to compare, our bank cards have a weekly and monthly limit but we never complain

...but that depends on the country ...
Doedn't it depend on the ATM network? (the machines provider)
legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 1722
There's no need for KYC on ATMs because they're just terrible!

Terribly expensive, last one I saw had a 7% fee, and terribly limited, max amount was I believe €250.

It's best to avoid them.

Not all of them are as expensive and as restrictive, I once found one that had negative fees when selling (~1%), although that didn't last long. Many have higher limits, but that depends on the country and probably won't last forever.
full member
Activity: 1638
Merit: 122
what ? that sucks . i thought btc atm or simply atm's are on the go  ? i mean you just need to insert the card and get cash but im aware that atm's now have cctv's  and with that , your face were still captured if you dont wear mask , glasses , etc to cover up your face  .  or maybe that only depend on the atm and the country  . the best thing you can do is to do kyc if you really badly need to use that atm or make an advance research before you travel and if what atm's youl come across ,
legendary
Activity: 3066
Merit: 1047
Your country may be your worst enemy
There's no need for KYC on ATMs because they're just terrible!

Terribly expensive, last one I saw had a 7% fee, and terribly limited, max amount was I believe €250.

It's best to avoid them.
hero member
Activity: 1680
Merit: 655
I think the OP doesn't have any problems with KYC itself but the hindrance it will cause him just to liquidate his Bitcoin when he will be traveling to other European countries. I'm assuming OP will be touring to other countries that's why he sees KYC as a problem and I agree with him, even if their Bitcoin service has a fast way to verify their KYC I don't think it will be fast enough for any traveler who wants some cash right away. So @OP I think the best alternative for you is to have a Bitcoin Visa Debit card where you have the ability to use you Bitcoin as good as cash, from what I know these debit cards as long as their Visa is accepted in a lot of countries since they consider it as a regular bank issued debit card.
legendary
Activity: 2450
Merit: 1047
How should i prepare on this while travelling? They just placed KYC in Btc ATMs here in Finland, and i either need to have a previously registered Coinmotion account with kyc, or have online banking codes to withdraw any money.

So i am interested in how much i can rely on Btc ATMs with travelling on some other country and can i rely my Finnish online bank codes working as kyc or do i need to prepare somehow?

That's quite surprising we do have a Bitcoin ATM here but we don't need a KYC just to make a withdrawal you need to do a research if the country that you will travel have an ATM and they implemented a procedures that you have I think other country do not give such procedures but better do a research first.
legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 1722
As in the case of Philippines, there are currently only two (2) bitcoin ATMs available and I heard that the system seems to be buggy with errors. Most of the time, it is unavailable and out of service but if you stumble across one, I would suggest to avoid it. The rates and fees are too high in order to withdraw some of your funds. If you are really desperate, I would suggest to check first your local bitcoin exchange platform and see their available services for withdrawing.

I just checked on coinatmradar, there actually are only two Bitcoin ATMs in the Philippines. Are there any specific regulations which make running such as business next to impossible? In a country of >100M there must be demand for more of such ATMs. And one of the two seems to require a bank account...
hero member
Activity: 2268
Merit: 789
How should i prepare on this while travelling? They just placed KYC in Btc ATMs here in Finland, and i either need to have a previously registered Coinmotion account with kyc, or have online banking codes to withdraw any money.

So i am interested in how much i can rely on Btc ATMs with travelling on some other country and can i rely my Finnish online bank codes working as kyc or do i need to prepare somehow?

USA here and it depends on the company setting the standards for their machines. Some require KYC to buy small amounts of BTC while others are less demanding. Similar for getting cash they are not all the same.

As in the case of Philippines, there are currently only two (2) bitcoin ATMs available and I heard that the system seems to be buggy with errors. Most of the time, it is unavailable and out of service but if you stumble across one, I would suggest to avoid it. The rates and fees are too high in order to withdraw some of your funds. If you are really desperate, I would suggest to check first your local bitcoin exchange platform and see their available services for withdrawing.

Like what most people have mentioned, travelling abroad and supplying your details with their KYC requirement may be a bad idea that may put yourself at risk. Anything that is related to your information can be used against you especially that these ATMs are not regulated by the government.
newbie
Activity: 5
Merit: 1
How should i prepare on this while travelling? They just placed KYC in Btc ATMs here in Finland, and i either need to have a previously registered Coinmotion account with kyc, or have online banking codes to withdraw any money.

So i am interested in how much i can rely on Btc ATMs with travelling on some other country and can i rely my Finnish online bank codes working as kyc or do i need to prepare somehow?

USA here and it depends on the company setting the standards for their machines. Some require KYC to buy small amounts of BTC while others are less demanding. Similar for getting cash they are not all the same.
member
Activity: 889
Merit: 60
There are several types of verifications when it comes to crypto ATMs, and again they depend on the individual country and its legislation. What you describe is withdrawing money into your bank account, but most crypto ATMs are only one-way devices, which means you can only buy crypto with cash.

As a side note: i am not describing withdrawing money to my bank account, i am talking about withdrawing cash from btc atm. That takes kyc in here now.

Is KYC itself your problem, or the fact that some ATMs require specific third-party accounts and/or online banking codes? If it's the latter, ATMs like that are highly unusual; they only really require some personal details, and I've never heard of any prior to your case requiring much else. Have you taken a look at other Bitcoin ATMs in your area? I suspect that the one you interacted with is an exception rather than the rule.


My problem was that i am not sure if i am able to withdraw money if i have just a passport with me. If i need a preconfigurated account with kyc, it can take time at the road to make one and get it approved.

If this isn't some weird 5AMLD compliance (and it would be big news if it is because it essentially kills off Bitcoin ATMs in the EU), I don't think you will encounter any problems while traveling.

I guess it's big news then. More info about this in here : https://twitter.com/Coinmotion/status/1215563632253247489
copper member
Activity: 2940
Merit: 4101
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You need to look for the BTC ATMs from shitcoins.club if you don't want to bother with KYC. Their machines have no verification.

Once I found a machine in my country by visiting coinatmradar website and I've been traveling for ~4 hours to go there. Once I found the place, a kebab lol, I realized that to sell bitcoins I had to take a selfie with my ID card. I didn't know Bitcoin ATMs were asking for our ID, I also didn't notice it was specified on coinatmradar.  Cheesy

I was so pissed off that I went back home without even visiting the city, and no bitcoins sold...
legendary
Activity: 2968
Merit: 3684
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Actually, I'd like to know too. I'm assuming it's going to be the same KYC method if it's the same manufacturer, so you might want to see the manufacturer of the BATMs you're going to be using.

jackg is right: there's no KYC for BATMs in the ones I've seen for Europe up until a DAILY limit of either 5k EUR or 10k EUR. Which I highly doubt you'll ever be needing. But as others say, AMLD5 comes into force this month so that should change.

You'll have your passport with you, that would be more than enough. But I would rather go Localbitcoins and cash up a day before I need it.
hero member
Activity: 1834
Merit: 759
How should i prepare on this while travelling? They just placed KYC in Btc ATMs here in Finland, and i either need to have a previously registered Coinmotion account with kyc, or have online banking codes to withdraw any money.

So i am interested in how much i can rely on Btc ATMs with travelling on some other country and can i rely my Finnish online bank codes working as kyc or do i need to prepare somehow?

Is KYC itself your problem, or the fact that some ATMs require specific third-party accounts and/or online banking codes? If it's the latter, ATMs like that are highly unusual; they only really require some personal details, and I've never heard of any prior to your case requiring much else. Have you taken a look at other Bitcoin ATMs in your area? I suspect that the one you interacted with is an exception rather than the rule.

If this isn't some weird 5AMLD compliance (and it would be big news if it is because it essentially kills off Bitcoin ATMs in the EU), I don't think you will encounter any problems while traveling.
sr. member
Activity: 1008
Merit: 355
There are several types of verifications when it comes to crypto ATMs, and again they depend on the individual country and its legislation. What you describe is withdrawing money into your bank account, but most crypto ATMs are only one-way devices, which means you can only buy crypto with cash.

Some of them will only ask you your mobile phone number on which you will get confirmation code, others will ask you to show your ID on the ATM camera, or to show your face in front of the camera. Some ATM are using special software (check https://shuftipro.com/).

I think the USA has fairly strict laws in this regard (FinCEN) which requires that all clients in such transactions are identified, all of course for the purpose of preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.

Maybe Finland is one of the first EU countries that is starting to implement new EU directives (AMLD 5) which came into force on January 10 this year.

KYC is as diverse as the many countries where there are Bitcoin ATMs. This means that for now there is no universally accepted KYC procedures and this all add more inconvenience and confusion to Bitcoin holders, putting more reason why up to now Bitcoin has not yet achieved the massive use it should be enjoying. Here in my country, I think we only have two or three existing ATM terminals where one can be able to transact Bitcoin but KYC is not yet that very strict but we know that soon this can be changing. Let's hope that there can be a common procedures for this one so that Bitcoin users will not be left on the cold as far as ATM is concerned.
hero member
Activity: 1666
Merit: 753
How should i prepare on this while travelling? They just placed KYC in Btc ATMs here in Finland, and i either need to have a previously registered Coinmotion account with kyc, or have online banking codes to withdraw any money.

So i am interested in how much i can rely on Btc ATMs with travelling on some other country and can i rely my Finnish online bank codes working as kyc or do i need to prepare somehow?

I suggest that you don't rely on them at all.

From what I've heard from most countries, it seems like that almost all of them have some sort of KYC restriction placed on users and that is unavoidable given the fact that bitcoin ATMs are a subject of regulation in the majority of countries.

You should just look on Localbitcoins for cash deposits trades, I find that is the best possible way to get a decent rate while not worrying to have to travel far for a Bitcoin ATM that may not even be available without KYC.
legendary
Activity: 2590
Merit: 3015
Welt Am Draht
Or one more thing, send it to a remittance center like WU, in my area, you can send bitcoin to WU and you can get your fiat based on the exchange rate.

That could wind up being VERY expensive.

Since OP is in the EU they should have banking that's modern, unlike America. A lot of places will have debit cards that offer foreign exchange rates at market rates with no fees. If you did multiple transactions through ATMs and WU you'll likely eat up the cost of a few decent meals just in conversion.
hero member
Activity: 2744
Merit: 588
If I were going abroad and were planning to rely on ATMs I wouldn't do it without identifying the places I was going and asking the ATM operators what was required in terms of KYC. If you're foreign you may not have what they're asking for. They'll all have contact details.

But you will also be subject to wildly varying exchange rates, fees and limits. It's also possible that the places listing them will be badly out of date so there may not even be one there any more.

I'd be looking at other options like a crypto debit card or just a rapid exchange linked to my bank account.

If you are traveling, make sure to research the area what are the available options for you on encashing your bitcoin.
So you will not be surprised when you arrived and you will end up having trouble on where to get your money for your expenses.
And yes, one way is to send it to your bank account and then withdraw it via your regular bank atm.
Or one more thing, send it to a remittance center like WU, in my area, you can send bitcoin to WU and you can get your fiat based on the exchange rate.
legendary
Activity: 2590
Merit: 3015
Welt Am Draht
If I were going abroad and were planning to rely on ATMs I wouldn't do it without identifying the places I was going and asking the ATM operators what was required in terms of KYC. If you're foreign you may not have what they're asking for. They'll all have contact details.

But you will also be subject to wildly varying exchange rates, fees and limits. It's also possible that the places listing them will be badly out of date so there may not even be one there any more.

I'd be looking at other options like a crypto debit card or just a rapid exchange linked to my bank account.
jr. member
Activity: 81
Merit: 4
When it comes to KYCs, one thing I am certain of is that there is always a way for the ATMs to synchronize with each other across the world. Just like we have Visa and MasterCard that made you use your ATM cards across the world and they can synchronize, btc would not be exempted. Instead of being caught in the web of regulations, the suggestion is to either convert whatever fiat you will be using in your travels right before you leave or you just register on peer to peer sites that goes across borders and when you land, you can convert to either cash or bank transfer for your use.

Bitcoin ATM's are completely different to Visa/Mastercard networks. EMV cards don't "synchronize", but rather use a semi-central network to direct requests to the organization that issued the card. Amex is different as they are the processor, network and end provider.

Bitcoin ATM's are often standalone machines only connected to the Bitcoin network. Some are part of a "network" of machines with an operator that shares the fees with whoever "hosts" the ATM. My (year or 2 from being available) machines are a hybrid with more features than anything currently available.
legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 1722
On coinatmradar it often says whether a specific Bitcoin ATM asks for KYC. In some countries it's mandatory, in other it isn't, and in some no one knows so it's up to the operator. I wouldn't be surprised if there was mandatory KYC in all Bitcoin ATMs in the EU by next year's end, I'm not sure there's any other way with AMLD 5, countries will have to comply or face sanctions.
hero member
Activity: 1330
Merit: 569
How should i prepare on this while travelling? They just placed KYC in Btc ATMs here in Finland, and i either need to have a previously registered Coinmotion account with kyc, or have online banking codes to withdraw any money.

So i am interested in how much i can rely on Btc ATMs with travelling on some other country and can i rely my Finnish online bank codes working as kyc or do i need to prepare somehow?

When it comes to KYCs, one thing I am certain of is that there is always a way for the ATMs to synchronize with each other across the world. Just like we have Visa and MasterCard that made you use your ATM cards across the world and they can synchronize, btc would not be exempted. Instead of being caught in the web of regulations, the suggestion is to either convert whatever fiat you will be using in your travels right before you leave or you just register on peer to peer sites that goes across borders and when you land, you can convert to either cash or bank transfer for your use.
legendary
Activity: 3234
Merit: 5637
Blackjack.fun-Free Raffle-Join&Win $50🎲
There are several types of verifications when it comes to crypto ATMs, and again they depend on the individual country and its legislation. What you describe is withdrawing money into your bank account, but most crypto ATMs are only one-way devices, which means you can only buy crypto with cash.

Some of them will only ask you your mobile phone number on which you will get confirmation code, others will ask you to show your ID on the ATM camera, or to show your face in front of the camera. Some ATM are using special software (check https://shuftipro.com/).

I think the USA has fairly strict laws in this regard (FinCEN) which requires that all clients in such transactions are identified, all of course for the purpose of preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.

Maybe Finland is one of the first EU countries that is starting to implement new EU directives (AMLD 5) which came into force on January 10 this year.
member
Activity: 889
Merit: 60
It's going to be different wherever you go and specifics willl be hard to find, are you just travelling inside the EU? Or are you going further. If you're going further there may be issues, most of Europe don't have kyc on cash trades, Finland is probanly an exceptoln.

Mainly in Europe, but are you sure that other countries don't have it? Because we didn't have this either in the past, this just came in action in Finland this year because of some new eu aml regulations if i recall correctly.
copper member
Activity: 2856
Merit: 3071
https://bit.ly/387FXHi lightning theory
It's going to be different wherever you go and specifics willl be hard to find, are you just travelling inside the EU? Or are you going further. If you're going further there may be issues, most of Europe don't have kyc on cash trades, Finland is probanly an exceptoln.
member
Activity: 889
Merit: 60
How should i prepare on this while travelling? They just placed KYC in Btc ATMs here in Finland, and i either need to have a previously registered Coinmotion account with kyc, or have online banking codes to withdraw any money.

So i am interested in how much i can rely on Btc ATMs with travelling on some other country and can i rely my Finnish online bank codes working as kyc or do i need to prepare somehow?
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