Coinme has announced that selected Coinstar kiosks in the United States now offer bitcoin voucher purchases, starting with Safeway and Albertsons locations in California, Texas, and Washington. Customers can insert cash into the machine and receive a printed voucher containing a bitcoin redemption code, which can then be redeemed through Coinme’s website.
Initial rollout begins in three states
According to the company, each transaction allows users to buy up to $2,500 worth of bitcoin. Buyers must review and accept the kiosk’s transaction terms and provide a phone number during the process. Rather than sending BTC directly from the machine, the service uses an offline cash purchase followed by online redemption, creating a retail-friendly path for first-time users.
Coinstar is widely known for its self-service coin-counting machines and already has a broad presence in the U.S. market. Coinme said that if the early rollout proves successful, both companies plan to expand the service into additional U.S. retail markets and store networks. Coinstar CEO Jim Gaherity said the company is continually looking for new ways to add value for consumers, and that Coinme’s delivery model combined with Coinstar’s flexible platform makes cash bitcoin purchases easier.
Coinme expands its physical crypto network
Coinme has operated in the cryptocurrency ATM and kiosk segment since 2014 and says it was the first state-licensed bitcoin ATM company in the U.S. The company previously expanded its ATM footprint in California, bringing its total number of locations in the state to 23 as of last May. Beyond kiosks and ATMs, Coinme also offers a digital wallet, exchange services, and crypto investment products including IRA and 401K-related offerings.
Coinme cofounder and CEO Neil Bergquist said the partnership is designed to give consumers a convenient and simple way to buy bitcoin as part of their everyday routines. In his view, making bitcoin available through grocery-store kiosks lowers the barrier for consumers looking to participate in the digital asset economy.
Loose change meets digital currency
The move could appeal to a broader retail audience because Coinstar machines are already familiar to consumers who use them to convert loose coins into cash. By adding bitcoin vouchers, the kiosks create a new option for users who may want to turn spare change or cash into digital assets. That combination of mainstream retail access and crypto onboarding could help extend bitcoin purchases beyond dedicated exchanges and specialized ATMs.
For Coinme, the partnership represents another step in broadening its physical distribution network. If expanded further, Coinstar’s established kiosk footprint could become a notable supplemental channel for cash-based bitcoin purchases in the U.S.