Bitcoin Bancorp to Expand Bitcoin ATM Network in Texas in 2026
Bitcoin Bancorp (OTC: BCBC) announced plans to deploy up to 200 licensed Bitcoin ATMs across Texas starting in the first quarter of 2026. Texas currently hosts over 4,000 live crypto ATMs, the highest concentration in the United States, with major operators active in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. This expansion aligns with Bitcoin Bancorp's national growth strategy and takes advantage of Texas's clear regulatory framework and strong demand within the state.
The operation of Bitcoin ATMs in Texas is regulated under the Texas Money Services Act, which requires operators to obtain a money transmitter license, maintain a minimum net worth of $500,000, post a $150,000 surety bond, and undergo regular examinations. Operators must also disclose fees and exchange rates to consumers. At the federal level, Bitcoin ATMs are classified as money services businesses under the Bank Secrecy Act, imposing requirements from FinCEN including anti-money laundering programs, identity verification, transaction monitoring, currency transaction reports (for cash transactions over $10,000), suspicious activity reports, and retention of records for five years.
Pending legislation, such as the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 (S. 710), would further regulate the industry by mandating kiosk registration with the Treasury, pre-transaction disclosures, fraud warnings at kiosks, issuance of receipts, and the establishment of anti-fraud policies reported to FinCEN.
Bitcoin Bancorp, being one of only three publicly traded Bitcoin ATM network owners in the U.S., saw its shares rise 7.83% on the day of the announcement and 29.53% over the following five days. The company's planned expansion leverages existing network infrastructure in Texas, lowering the barriers for deploying new ATMs to meet growing consumer demand.
