Gold to cash in 30 minutes? China's new machine is going viral

Time of India

22-04-2025

In a world where convenience is king, China has taken the idea of automated service to an entirely new level, and the internet can't stop talking about it. A video featuring a cutting-edge 'Gold ATM' in Shanghai has gone viral, showing a machine that can melt, test, and pay for your gold in under half an hour.
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The concept may sound futuristic, but it's already up and running. The machine has quickly attracted public attention amid soaring global
. As economic uncertainty continues to push investors toward traditional safe bets like gold, the ATM's timing couldn't be more relevant, as per media sources.
How the
Gold ATM
works
Developed by the Shenzhen-based
Kinghood Group
, this gold-to-cash machine is now operational in Shanghai.
Here's how it functions: users can deposit gold items– jewellery, coins, or bars– as long as the weight is above 3 grams and purity exceeds 50%.
According to a TOI report, once inside, the machine heats the gold to approximately 1,200°C to melt it down. High-precision sensors then examine the metal's purity and weight. Based on the latest rates from the
Shanghai Gold Exchange
, the system calculates its value, deducts a processing fee, and transfers the remaining amount directly to the customer's bank account.
The entire process is automated and completed within half an hour– no ID, no documents required, according to the report.
Public interest rises with gold prices
As gold continues to gain value globally, people in China are taking note– and lining up. Locals in Shanghai have been spotted queuing near the ATM, eager to turn unused ornaments or old jewellery into instant cash. Xu Weixin of the Shanghai Gold Association pointed to the growing demand, saying, 'With rising gold prices, the public's desire to cash out has significantly increased.'
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The launch comes at a time when gold is being viewed as a safer investment option. Central banks and large institutions have already ramped up their gold holdings– now, the general public is stepping in, too, with tools like this ATM making the process more accessible.
Internet applauds China's innovation
What really pushed this machine into the global spotlight was a viral video shared by Turkish tech influencer Tansu Yegen.
The short clip demonstrating the ATM's function has gathered over 1.4 million views on the social media platform X.
Reactions poured in from across the globe, with many impressed by the technology and efficiency. Tech commentator Advait Arora summed up the general sentiment with his post: 'Wow, a Gold ATM that melts your gold and sends the money straight to your bank. That's how China does innovation.'
Another X user wrote, 'This isn't the future– it's happening now," capturing the general awe at how seamless and futuristic the setup feels.
Others chimed in with reactions like "Gold > paper. The future is ancient,' expressing support for tangible assets in a world driven by digital finance.
Blending tradition with technology
While the idea of melting down gold might seem extreme at first, it's this direct approach– pairing ancient wealth with modern tech– that's driving both attention and adoption. For many, it's not just about cashing in on old jewellery, but about experiencing a new kind of financial service that's fast, reliable, and easy to use.
Whether similar machines will pop up in other parts of the world remains to be seen. But in Shanghai, this gold ATM is already giving a glimpse of what the future of the gold exchange might look like– compact, efficient, and powered by innovation.