Athena Bitcoin has added Bitcoin Cash (BCH) support to all of its cryptocurrency ATMs, allowing users to buy and sell BCH for fiat cash across its network. With this move, BCH becomes the third cryptocurrency supported by the company, after Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC).
BCH Now Available on Every Athena Machine
The company said customers can now use any Athena ATM to both purchase and sell BCH. For holders of Bitcoin Cash in the United States, this adds a new physical cash-access point for the asset, making it easier not only to accumulate BCH but also to convert it into fiat when needed.
Athena also stressed that Bitcoin Cash is a separate cryptocurrency from Bitcoin, with its own price, development team, and community. Because of that, users need a wallet that supports BCH before making a purchase. The company noted that its own Athena Bitcoin wallet does not yet support BCH, but said this feature is expected in a future update.
55 ATMs Across Eight U.S. States
According to the company, Athena operates 55 ATMs in eight U.S. states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and California. It also has one machine in Yucatán, Mexico, located at Lapa Lapa Altabrisa Mérida.
The machines are placed in everyday convenience locations such as gas stations, bodegas, and pawn shops. Athena says its service is designed for users who want to buy cryptocurrency without relying on a bank account, debit card, or credit card. Customers only need a compatible wallet on a smartphone and can complete a purchase in as little as 90 seconds.
Broader Asset Support as a Growth Strategy
The BCH rollout highlights how crypto ATM operators are expanding coin support to make their machines more useful to a wider range of customers. For users entering or exiting crypto markets through cash, broader asset availability can significantly improve convenience.
At the same time, wallet compatibility remains an important part of the user experience. In the case of similarly named assets such as BTC and BCH, clear guidance from operators can help reduce confusion and transaction mistakes. Once Athena updates its own wallet to support BCH, the company’s offering may become more seamless for users seeking direct access to Bitcoin Cash through physical ATMs.