Russia in full ATM fever for cryptomonas
The number of ATMs - ATMs - distributing cryptomonas is increasing in Russia. Ten of them were set up in Novosibirsk (third largest city in Russia) by a local startup. Another company said in the week of its intention to install a hundred in hotels and airports in Moscow over the month.
Ten ATM crypto scheduled in Novosibirsk
BBFpro, a Russian startup, has recently installed ten cryptomony distributors throughout the city of Novosibirsk. ATMs are positioned so that every inhabitant of the city can quickly reach a Bitcoin point of sale. The team initially wanted to place them in major shopping centers, but the idea was abandoned due to lack of resources. Instead, they can be found in grocery retailers selling beverages.
"The large shopping centers have asked for an almost impossible rent for us, as a startup. The price for a place reached 15-20 thousand rubles, while in the grocery stores we pay 2,000 rubles instead. Anton Friedel, Director of BFFpro
Anton Friedel also explained that his team spent about three months developing and installing ATMs, adding that the project had cost around two million rubles. The machines charge a commission of 6%. In this regard, Anton adds:
"We have decided on such a low percentage because we rely on a large flow of customers. "
This is obviously only a beginning for the team. Friedel has said it wants to expand its ATM network to neighboring regions, as well as develop terminals that will not only offer to buy cryptomonas, but will sell them.
One hundred ATM crypto planned in Moscow
Rambler News announced last week that a hundred vending machines will arrive in Moscow between October and the end of 2017.
Their installation in the city center, particularly in various hotels, will be supervised by Investcoin24. Pavel Panova, co-director of the company, added that he is currently negotiating with airport owners to install terminals there.
The counters can be programmed to distribute four digital currencies, and it is even possible to sell tokens from an ICO. The initial commission on machinery will amount to 4%.
Investcoin24 had already installed an ATM of its kind in the Vintage restaurant in Moscow in June. The idea had its appeal, since another restaurant, Valenok, also said to consider the installation if the customer demand was stronger.
Russia's ambivalence leans in the right direction
Despite the increase in the number of distributors and the apparent popular consensus regarding the future adoption of cryptomonas, Russia maintains its hostile position regarding future regulation. You were told about their quasi-schizophrenic tendency with a double discourse, both anti Bitcoin & pro Bitcoin.
Anton Friedel told RBC (Russian television) that he hoped to be able to advertise his box office. However, since digital currencies are still not regulated, many platforms are refusing to promote them. Moreover, no one knows how the activities related to the cryptomonies will be taxed.
"We will provide the tax authorities with the documents, but we do not know if they will accept them" Anton Friedel
The Russian terrain is thus always divided between official speeches and unofficial projects. What future for these vending machines? The future will tell us.