Skyhook is new to the bitcoin ATM-scape but already interesting many with its first project, the first ever portable, open-source bitcoin ATM machine starting at $999. The Portland-based manufacturer released it last Monday (12th May) and demoed it at the Bitcoin2014 conference this weekend.
Giants like Robocoin and Lamassu charge up to $20,000 for an ATM that exchange bitcoin for fiat currencies worldwide. Skyhook’s hardware and software are designed to make bitcoin more accessible to the masses, as well as existing bitcoin users. Chief operating officer Kyle Drake said:
“It’s very difficult for non-experts to buy bitcoin in the United States and around the world right now, without a lot of work. There are some great bitcoin wallets out there, but most of them come with no way to buy bitcoin.”
If usability among the general population is what holds bitcoin back from wider adoption, as some digital currency enthusiasts have argued, developers will have to focus more on making existing technologies useful to Main Street consumers. Drake continued:
“We want to help solve the bitcoin purchasing problem by making it so anyone that wants to try and use bitcoin can just go to a nearby ATM, and get some with cash. The best way to do that is to make bitcoin ATMs affordable, so that anybody can get and use one. It’s a great way for people to get comfortable using bitcoin.”
Small and light, the Skyhook ATM also makes it simple for bitcoin individual users and businesses of any scale to become an exchange, quickly and affordably. The ATM is sufficiently portable, Drake said, but also provides a durable security mounting plate to permanently attach the unit to something, if the user prefers a fixed location – and all with the same level of security.
It also gives merchants the option to generate revenue while protecting them from price volatility. Skyhook sets the bitcoin price automatically using the major exchanges, and allows users to set a percentage rate and minimum price if they like.
May 18, 2014 at 03:14PMLatest Bitcoin News | BTC/LTC Robot | Mining ASICS | BTC Debit Card
