Bitcoin Depot Secures Hong Kong License to Operate Bitcoin ATMs in Major Asian Push

Highlights:

• Bitcoin Depot has expanded to Hong Kong to meet the rising demand for crypto conversion in Asia.
• Bitcoin Depot has launched a licensed ATM network in Hong Kong to boost access for users.
• Hong Kong has become a strong base for the growth of crypto ATMs in the region.

Bitcoin Depot, the largest Bitcoin ATM operator in North America, has entered the Asian market with its new launch in Hong Kong. The expansion marks the company’s first step into the region as it targets areas with strong demand for quick cash-to-crypto conversion. The firm aims to rank among the top five Bitcoin ATM operators in Hong Kong.

#Bitcoin Depot, North America's largest BTC ATM operator, expands to Hong Kong. pic.twitter.com/VMdknKXwMd

— Nayeem Rezvan (@NayeemRezvan) November 13, 2025

Scott Buchanan, the president and CEO of the company, stated that Hong Kong has the right combination of policy clarity, investor demand, and growth momentum. He further explained that the increasing use of digital assets by the city offers a chance to cater to crypto ATM users. The strategy of the company is to increase access to digital assets through physical points. The points will enable a person to purchase or sell Bitcoin with cash or debit cards.

Bitcoin Depot has over 7,000 Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum ATMs in 47 states in the United States. Its move into Hong Kong indicates a transition to global expansion after its long period of hegemony in the North American market. The company’s presence may reshape the regional landscape for physical crypto services.

Bitcoin Depot Launches Licensed ATM Network to Serve Hong Kong’s Crypto Users

Bitcoin Depot received a Money Service Operator license from the Customs and Excise Department in Hong Kong. The license will enable the company to deliver cash-to-crypto transactions and comply with strong requirements. The firm’s local partnerships have helped it follow AML and KYC standards required by authorities.

A company representative stated that Bitcoin Depot’s compliance team worked closely with Hong Kong partners to ensure every local rule was followed. The partnership assisted the firm in going through licensing processes and aligning with the financial needs of Hong Kong. Coin ATM Radar data indicates that 223 Bitcoin ATMs are already operational in the city, indicating high levels of local adoption.

Hong Kong has emerged as a favorite destination of international crypto companies due to its transparent digital asset policies. The city is taking a different direction from mainland China, where trading in digital assets is limited. Meanwhile, Franklin Templeton’s launch of a tokenized U.S. dollar money market fund confirmed Hong Kong’s growing reputation as a hub for blockchain finance. Bitcoin Depot’s launch comes as crypto adoption accelerates across Asia.

Franklin Templeton has launched a tokenized U.S. dollar money market fund in Hong Kong, marking one of the first regulated on-chain investment products in the region.

The fund uses Franklin’s proprietary Benji blockchain platform to issue and manage shares digitally, signaling… pic.twitter.com/bj9XjrZQym

— Cryptic (@Cryptic_Web3) November 10, 2025

Hong Kong Emerges as Key Launchpad for Regional Crypto Expansion

The environment of Hong Kong gives a good base for Bitcoin Depot to continue its expansion to other Asian countries, like Taiwan. Analysts observe that the fintech environment in the city has provided foreign firms with a solid foundation to develop. They also say Hong Kong’s supportive environment encourages wider digital asset participation.

The number of Bitcoin ATMs keeps increasing all over the world. The US has over 30,000 kiosks, whereas growth is accelerating in other places. An example is Australia, which has nearly doubled its machines, with only 21 in 2021 to more than 2,000 today.

Nevertheless, there are regions that are experiencing pushback. Recently, the FBI documented almost 11,000 fraud claims against crypto ATMs in 2024. The claims resulted in losses of over 246 million. The government of Australia also intends to give the power to close non-compliant ATMs to AUSTRAC, where applicable.