Robocoin to Rebrand Bitcoin ATMs as Online Bank Branches

Robocoin speaks to CoinDesk about its latest service updates, which take aim at the global remittance market.

AccessTimeIconMay 1, 2014 at 5:57 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 3, 2021 at 12:09 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Las Vegas, Nevada-based bitcoin ATM manufacturer Robocoin has announced it will soon launch Robocoin Bank, a new project that will find its physical bitcoin ATMs becoming Robocoin Bank branches that integrate online banking features.

Robocoin indicates that Robocoin Bank will incorporate new features such as cryptographic provable reserves, instant bitcoin-to-cash withdrawals and the ability to send cash internationally as part of an effort to build what it calls "banking and remittance 2.0".

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • Jordan Kelley, CEO of Robocoin, told CoinDesk that the new service brings the company closer to its original goal of making bitcoin more user-friendly for mass-market consumers and the underbanked, adding:

    "We realized very quickly that we needed to build an online bank. That way our customers don't have to worry about private keys anymore."

    Bitcoin as a backbone

    By adding functionality and terminology that is similar to an existing service, online banking, Kelley noted that he hopes to remove the complexity and pain points associated with bitcoin transactions, instead using the technology as a backbone for more traditional financial services:

    "The idea that bitcoin is going to be this big game-changer for remittance is absolutely factual, however, thinking that a Mexican immigrant is going to be sending bitcoin back to his family is really far-fetched."

    Kelley indicated users will now be able to send both bitcoin and fiat currency to recipients using any Robocoin branch. After money is sent, recipients will receive an SMS confirming the transaction and can then withdraw the funds at a local machine.

    Operators, Kelley said, will gain increased information about their customers, as they will now know where money is being sent via their machines.

    ATMs rebranded

    With the launch Robocoin is also rebranding a number of its existing services. For example, Robocoin Kiosks will now be referred to by the company as Robocoin Bank Branches.

    The company is also updating the terminology related to how consumers interact with its devices to bring clarity to its service changes. Robocoin noted that consumers will no longer 'buy' and 'sell' bitcoins on the service, but rather deposit and withdraw bitcoin or fiat currency.

    Further, customer public bitcoin addresses will now be referred to as Robocoin accounts, where customers store and access their wealth using a combination of their phone number, PIN number and biometric identification, explained Kelley, adding.

    "The phone is now acting as the username, the PIN that customers create is the first part of the password and their palm is password part two. My bitcoin is now accessible from the online banking portal or any ATM around the world."

    About Robocoin

    The company is one of several in an increasingly competitive marketplace which includes Lamassau, both of which recently launched ATMs operating in London.

    Robocoin has also run into its share of problems. Most notably, Taiwan’s Financial Supervisor Commission moved to block its efforts to launch ATMs in that country, saying that the required authorization would not be granted if requested by the company.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.