Schiphol Airport authorities have declared on June 20, 2018 that they are about to install a “Bitcoin ATM” to permit travelers to convert the euro to ether (ETH) and bitcoin (BTC).
The ATM will be present at the premises until January 2019 as part of a six-month trial to help authorities assess demand for cryptocurrency exchange services. In a statement, Schiphol noted that the ATM is first such airport service in the region of Europe.
Tanja Dik, director of Consumer Products and Services at Schiphol, said in the announcement that via the Bitcoin ATM they aim to provide a useful service to passengers by allowing them to easily exchange ‘local’ euros for the ‘global’ cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum. That can be beneficial if, for instance, it is not possible to spend euros in their home country.
For visitors – the Bitcoin ATM is present in Arrival Hall 2 and is accessible from Departure Halls 1 and 2, and the Schiphol Plaza.
A dutch cryptocurrency payments processor, ByeleX Data Solutions BV, has partnered with Schipol authorities to develop this unique ATM, probably to drive cryptocurrency adoption and usage.
While Amsterdam can now boast of being Europe’s first airport to offer such a service, the world’s first airport to launch cryptocurrency payments is Brisbane Airport, in January 2018.
Apart from ATMs, cryptocurrency debit cards are on the rise as well.
With debit card developments and Airports exchanging cryptocurrencies, the tourism industry stands to be significantly benefited from the digital asset industry.
Tags: amsterdam airport, Bitcoin ATM
