A Slovakian bitcoin ATM operator desires to set the record straight on the topic of Europe’s very first bitcoin ATM.
That title is at the moment claimed by a machine installed in the Helsinki Central railway station in Finland. There has also been considerable media hype about a Swedish machine that was touted as the continent’s pioneering ATM dealing in the digital currency.
But Marian Jancuska, who operates the ATM in Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city, says neither Scandinavian nation can claim the honour, since his machine was installed before either a single. He said:
“I am glad bitcoin ATMs are developing in momentum [in Europe]. But I would like to set things straight.”
Jancuska’s ATM was ‘permanently’ installed in downtown Bratislava on 8th December, six days just before the Finnish ATM was set up. The Bratislava ATM is mounted on a metal stand that’s bolted to the wall and floor. It’s situated near the entrance of a branch of a nicely-identified restaurant chain named The Pub.
Because bitcoin ATMs are often operated on a short-term basis or as demonstration units during events, it’s beneficial to distinguish amongst those utilizes of an ATM with a permanent installation, exactly where the machine can be expected to be situated for the foreseeable future.
CoinDesk earlier reported on Finnish exchange Bittiraha’s claim that it had installed Europe’s very first permanent bitcoin ATM on 16th Dec. The machine is positioned inside a branch of a popular record retailer chain in the heavily trafficked Helsinki Central railway station.
Bratislava ATM information
Jancuska’s ATM is a Lamassu unit, so it only converts fiat currency to bitcoin and not the other way about. Jancuska currently charges a three% charge per transaction, despite the fact that he says he is operating to decrease it to 1%.
The wallet linked to Jancuska’s ATM has recorded 290 transactions to date. It has received 82.74 BTC (about $ 75,000) and has a existing balance of about 7.46 BTC (about $ six,771).
Jancuska says he only knows his ATM buyers by their wallet addresses, since employing the ATM doesn’t demand handing more than any identity information, and he prefers to maintain it that way.
Nonetheless he said interest in bitcoin in Slovakia seems to have spread from technologies specialists and enthusiasts to the mainstream, aided by interest in the topic from nearby media. Jancuska says he’s pleased with the ATM’s present place, although he would think about making it obtainable for one particular-off events as properly.
Slovakia’s bitcoin scene
Bratislava has an active bitcoin community, according to Jancuska. CoinDesk reported on the Bratislava Subway franchise that laid claim to being the very first franchised outlet of the sandwich chain to accept bitcoin. That Subway outlet is owned by Martin Petrus, who also runs an exchange in Slovakia.
Jancuska’s ATM produced an look at Petrus’ Subway for two weeks. The pair met when Jancuska did a demo of the ATM at ProgressBar, a well-liked Bratislava hackerspace. Jancuska stated:
“[Martin Petrus] suggested I spot the ATM in his restaurant till it was ready for installation downtown. I liked the idea so the ATM spent about two weeks at Subway. It became a special location exactly where you could both get bitcoins and devote them.”
Regardless of Slovakia’s evident interest in bitcoin adoption, the international media seems to have been slow to pick up on stories from the eastern European nation. The Bratislava ATM’s installation, for instance, was overshadowed in the media by announcements from Sweden and Finland, for instance.
Even Petrus’ move to accept bitcoin at his Subway franchise came to light belatedly, following other outlets of the global sandwich chain had been hailed for becoming the first to adopt bitcoin.
“Despite [bitcoin] activity taking place right here, its not reported [by] international media,” Jancuska stated.
ATM operator
Jancuska operates his ATM and runs his technologies consultancy, called 0011. The 35-year-old who hails from eastern Slovakia says mostly functions with monetary institutions in his capacity as a consultant.
Jancuska bought his first bitcoin fractions in early 2012. He subsequently purchased complete bitcoins from Mike Gogulski, who is noted for getting one of a tiny number of Americans who have renounced their citizenship to turn into stateless. Gogulski is also a software developer and bitcoin enthusiast who lives in Bratislava.
Jancuska paid Lamassu 50 BTC (nearly $ 50,000 at today’s rate) for his machine, a move that he says he doesn’t regret. For Jancuska, with Bratislava’s bitcoin ATM firmly located in the annals of the cryptocurrency’s history, there is tiny debate about the machine’s future:
“The future of the ATM in Bratislava ought to be really clear — it need to basically provide the service it’s meant for.” He added, “I nevertheless need to add some indicators and stickers to it.”
Bratislava image through Shutterstock
Slovakia Sets Record Straight on Europe’s First Bitcoin ATM
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