Latest news with #BitcoinDepot
Crypto Insight
4 days ago
- Business
- Crypto Insight
Bitcoin's physical infrastructure is the industry's most overlooked asset
Opinion by: Scott Buchanan, chief operating officer of Bitcoin Depot A new proposal to install Bitcoin ATMs in federal buildings highlights an important question: Can crypto truly go mainstream without a stronger physical presence? For years, the industry has focused on software and decentralization, but its reluctance to invest in real-world infrastructure is starting to show. Without physical access points, crypto risks becoming an exclusive, insiders-only system, rather than the open alternative it sets out to be. Everyone loves to talk about decentralization. There's a good reason behind this. It defines the movement, shapes the technology, and supports the vision of a better financial system. While the industry focuses on code and algorithms, it lacks something basic. A decentralized system that exists only online is not genuinely decentralized. Physical infrastructure is the missing link Bitcoin's physical infrastructure is the missing link. Without tools like ATMs, kiosks and access points at traditional retail locations, crypto remains out of reach for millions. Decentralization is not just about removing intermediaries. True decentralization requires expanding access. Without real-world touchpoints, even the most advanced network becomes limited to a closed circle of insiders. For crypto to become mainstream, it must be easy to reach digitally and physically. That means showing up in places people already go and seamlessly integrating into people's lives. Many groups in the American population still rely on cash or don't have access to traditional banks. According to the latest Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation report, around 5.6 million American households don't have a bank or savings account. Bitcoin ATMs give these users access without needing an app, a bank account or a crash course in blockchain. Most crypto tools today assume a level of financial fluency and infrastructure that millions simply do not have. The result is a digital-only ecosystem that locks out newcomers and widens the divide between early adopters and everyone else. User-friendly screen in the right place Physical infrastructure helps address this issue. A Bitcoin ATM in a grocery store or gas station is not just a convenience but a bridge to financial inclusion. It is an invitation to someone who has never bought crypto, telling them they can participate. No bank, no broker, just a user-friendly screen in a familiar place. These machines also generate new economic activity. Local businesses benefit from increased foot traffic as the kiosks create passive revenue. For many communities, they provide access to a parallel financial system that was previously out of reach. This is a tangible example of crypto's real-world utility. It is already happening, and it is measurable. The crypto industry's blind spot The industry often treats physical infrastructure like an afterthought. The obsession with building new digital solutions has created a blind spot. Innovation without usability builds systems that serve the few but exclude the many. If someone can buy Bitcoin at the same place they buy their morning coffee, that is when crypto stops feeling like an obscure digital asset and starts becoming part of everyday life. As governments increase regulation, trusted and transparent interfaces will become more important. When operated within regulatory frameworks, Bitcoin ATMs offer a way to provide access between traditional finance and digital assets. They are familiar, easy to monitor and offer a more approachable entry point for the general public. Like any financial tool, Bitcoin ATMs have drawn scrutiny, particularly in cases where bad actors use them. Rather than dismissing the machines themselves, we should focus on investing in better oversight, stronger consumer education and smarter regulation. The overwhelming majority of people who use Bitcoin ATMs do so for legitimate reasons: to send remittances, to move money securely or to access digital assets without traditional banking barriers. Building trust does not mean avoiding or dismantling physical access, but improving it. The first time someone uses Bitcoin should not involve reading a white paper or navigating a tutorial. It should be as familiar as using an ATM or tapping a payment terminal. This is not an argument against innovation. Software and protocols will continue to evolve and play an important role. Physical infrastructure provides something those tools cannot: trust through presence. When people can see and use crypto in their neighborhood, at a store they already visit or in a format they already understand, it changes how they think about crypto and who it is for. According to Coin ATM Radar, there are over 30,000 Bitcoin ATMs in the US. It's a meaningful start, but still only a small step toward widespread access. Crypto's long-term success will depend not just on innovation but also on inclusion. That means building more than networks; it means building presence. When people can interact with crypto in the physical world, it stops being abstract and becomes usable. That is how digital finance becomes everyday finance. Opinion by: Scott Buchanan, chief operating officer of Bitcoin Depot. Source:
Globe and Mail
24-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
3 Best Stocks to Buy Now, 5/23/2025, According to Top Analysts
Which stocks are best to buy now? According to Top Wall Street Analysts, the three stocks listed below are Strong Buys. Each stock received a new Buy rating recently and has a significant upside as well. Confident Investing Starts Here: To find more stocks like these, take a look at TipRanks' Analyst Top Stocks tool. It shows you a real-time list of all stocks that have been recently rated by Top-ranking Analysts. Here are today's top stock picks, according to analysts. Click on any ticker to thoroughly research the stock before you decide whether to add it to your portfolio. Strategy (MSTR) – This is a business intelligence company known for its significant Bitcoin holdings alongside its enterprise analytics software offerings. Yesterday, BTIG analyst Andrew Harte maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $620 per share. In the last three months, all nine Top Analysts covering the stock have rated it a Buy. Taken together, their 12-month price targets imply an upside of about 46.09%. Bitcoin Depot (BTM) – Bitcoin Depot is the largest Bitcoin ATM operator in North America, enabling users to convert cash into Bitcoin through kiosks and retail locations. Yesterday, Northland Securities analyst Michael Grondahl maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $5 per share. In the last three months, all three Top Analysts covering the stock have rated it a Buy. Taken together, their 12-month price targets imply an upside of about 60.4%. LivaNova (LIVN) – LivaNova is a medical technology company that develops devices and therapies for treating neurological and cardiovascular conditions. Yesterday, Piper Sandler analyst Adam Maeder maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $75 per share. Interestingly, five out of the six Top Analysts who recently rated the stock gave it a Buy. Taken together, their 12-month price targets imply an upside of about 48.61%. Who Are the Top Analysts? TipRanks ranks financial analysts according to the success rates of their ratings and the average return on each of their ratings. The Top Analysts have each earned a five-star ranking, thanks to the accuracy and profitability of their ratings over time. See real-time analyst rankings and learn more about the performance of Top Analysts on TipRanks' Top Wall Street Analysts page.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin Depot Inc. (BTM) is a Great Momentum Stock: Should You Buy?
Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades. While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us. Below, we take a look at Bitcoin Depot Inc. (BTM), a company that currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A. We also talk about price change and earnings estimate revisions, two of the main aspects of the Momentum Style Score. It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Bitcoin Depot Inc. Currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B outperform the market over the following one-month period. You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>> In order to see if BTM is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this company holds up. Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area. For BTM, shares are up 58.58% over the past week while the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry is up 2.09% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 114.18% compares favorably with the industry's 8.26% performance as well. Considering longer term price metrics, like performance over the last three months or year, can be advantageous as well. Over the past quarter, shares of Bitcoin Depot Inc. Have risen 190.38%, and are up 58.95% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved -2.56% and 11.12%, respectively. Investors should also take note of BTM's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now, BTM is averaging 1,227,628 shares for the last 20 days. The Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with BTM. Over the past two months, 3 earnings estimates moved higher compared to 1 lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost BTM's consensus estimate, increasing from $0.34 to $0.46 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 1 estimate has moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period. Taking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that BTM is a #2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Bitcoin Depot Inc. On your short list. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Bitcoin Depot Inc. (BTM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What Makes Bitcoin Depot Inc. (BTM) a New Buy Stock
Bitcoin Depot Inc. (BTM) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices. The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system. The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Bitcoin Depot Inc. basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price. The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock. Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Bitcoin Depot Inc. imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher. As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>. This company is expected to earn $0.46 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, which represents a year-over-year change of 176.7%. Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Bitcoin Depot Inc. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 98.9%. Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of 'buy' and 'sell' ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a 'Strong Buy' rating and the next 15% get a 'Buy' rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term. You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>> The upgrade of Bitcoin Depot Inc. to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Bitcoin Depot Inc. (BTM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Scam victims can't get back cash they put in Bitcoin ATM, Iowa Supreme Court rules
Two cybercrime victims won't be able to recover their money, seized from a third-party cryptocurrency company, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled. The decisions, issued Friday, May 1, involve two Iowans who were targeted in nearly identical scams. In July 2023 and February 2024, the two were contacted by an unknown person online and told to purchase cryptocurrency at a Bitcoin ATM in Linn County, and to send the bitcoin to a digital wallet controlled by the scammers. One scammer claimed to be from the "Geek Squad" and said the victim's accounts had been "compromised," while the other claimed the victim had child pornography on their computer and demanded money not to turn the victim in, according to court filings. Both individuals did as they were told, purchasing and sending more than $14,000 apiece in bitcoins. Both then contacted law enforcement officials, who, in the ensuing investigations, seized the cash deposited from the Bitcoin ATM. The purchased bitcoin, however, has not been recovered. From 2023: Clive resident falls victim to cryptocurrency scam; police warn to be on the lookout The question before the Iowa Supreme Court was, once investigators no longer need the money as part of their case, who gets it? In separate opinions on the cases, one by Justice Dana Oxley and the other unsigned, the justices reversed a lower court and ruled that ATM operator Bitcoin Depot should get to keep the cash. Key to the decision is that the crypto ATM requires users to confirm they owned the wallets they were sending bitcoin to, and prominently warned users against scams. "There is no evidence in the record before us that Bitcoin Depot had reason to know that a scammer had contacted (the victim) and told her that she needed to purchase bitcoins from the Bitcoin ATM and transfer them into a specified wallet to avoid her accounts being impacted," Oxley wrote, holding that Bitcoin ATM had done nothing wrong and was entitled to keep the money. USA Today: How crooks convinced her to put $17,500 into a bitcoin ATM to 'secure' her money An attorney for the victims and attorneys for Bitcoin Depot declined to comment. Friday's decisions are a win for Bitcoin Depot, but the company is embroiled in a larger struggle with the Iowa Attorney General's Office, which sued it and another crypto ATM company in March. The state claims Iowans have lost more than $20 million in scams facilitated through the company's ATMs and accused Bitcoin Depot and competitor CoinFlip of failing to protect users against scammers. William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@ or 715-573-8166. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Supreme Court says Bitcoin Depot can keep cash deposited in scams
