'We Can Make Any Device a Crypto ATM': 170,000 Shops Globally to Sell Bitcoin, Altcoins

Netcoins Inc. is one of the companies that aims to offer a solution for those who prefer to buy Bitcoin and altcoins from a trusted source, rather than online.

The team is creating a new opportunity for altcoins to get into the physical retail marketplace, allowing users to buy crypto instantly for fiat with cash, debit, or credit card.

Netcoins, a company based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, has a global retail network of 170,000 locations in 53 countries across six continents, where people can easily walk into a store to buy Bitcoin and altcoins with fiat.

Most of the stores sell vouchers which can then be redeemed online, on the Netcoins website, for crypto.

In some locations, Netcoins operates its own virtual crypto ATM software that allows retailers to sell a wide variety of cryptocurrencies.

"We turn any device like a tablet or laptop into a virtual crypto ATM, so that consumers can buy crypto easily in a familiar retail setting," the company says.

Any retailer that has a checkout can host Netcoins' virtual crypto ATM software.

Though the usage of altcoins is growing, Bitcoin and Ethereum are still the dominant cryptocurrencies for transactions.

The Netcoins team believes in the potential of altcoins.

In 2018, Netcoins listed 13 paid altcoins on its LAAS business model for coin listings.