Bitcoin ATM maker announces plans to expand to U.S. and beyond [View all]

[phantom power]

The US startup Robocoin, after unveiling its first ATM in Vancouver last year, announced plans to begin operating a machine in Austin, Texas, on Thursday. It also plans to open one in Seattle, in Washington state, ahead of a wider global launch.

“We have completely removed the barriers for people to buy and sell Bitcoins,” Robocoin chief executive Jordan Kelley told AFP.

“You no longer have to wait days, you don’t have to provide your bank account.”

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The Robocoin ATMs perform a biometric scan of each user’s palm, as well as take a facial photo, which is matched to the user’s government-issued identity card. The system also runs a check to determine if the user is a wanted criminal or terror suspect.

“We provide a profile of the customer that gives our operators full visibility and trackability,” Kelley said.

The first operational ATM in the United States started up Tuesday in a New Mexico cigar shop, according to manufacturer Lamassu Bitcoin Ventures.

Lamassu has some 200 orders around the world, and has opened Bitcoin ATMs in two Australian cities as well as one each in Helsinki, Berlin, Bratislava and Vancouver.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/19/bitcoin-atm-maker-announces-plans-to-expand-to-u-s-and-beyond/