[2015-11-18] Public bitcoin machine turns 1 year old, but it’s a lonely birthday

[Proxiebuier]

If you’re in the retail business, it can be helpful if your competition disappears . . . all over New England.

“They’ve got people driving in from Boston, from New York. It’s the only place for them to go,” said Ian Freeman, concerning what appears to be the only operating public Bitcoin machine in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine or even New York.

The device from Manchester-based company Lamassu is in a former thrift store being converted to a locally oriented retail shop called Route 101 Local Goods, at 661 Marlborough St. in Keene, which has long been a hotbed of Bitcoin due to its connection with the libertarian Free State Movement.

Last week was the one-year anniversary of the store hosting what Freeman calls a “Bitcoin vending machine” rather than “Bitcoin ATM,” because it accepts dollars but doesn’t dispense them.

Freeman is an unabashed Bitcoin advocate as part of various Free State Project-related advocacy efforts, including his radio call-in show Free Talk Live, that have led to many run-ins with police in recent years. He is a self-described pastor of the Shire Free Church, which is in an ongoing fight with Keene over its attempts to be tax exempt. The church provided the Bitcoin machine for the store, he said.

For Freeman, the machine’s anniversary is worth celebrating but is bittersweet, reflecting on Bitcoin’s failure to become part of everyday life.

READMORE : http://www.concordmonitor.com/news/nation/world/19446969-95/public-bitcoin-machine-turns-1-year-old-but-its-a-lonely-birthday

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[EternalWingsofGod]

I didn't know that the Cambridge unit went offline my last newsfeed for it was in 2014
The main problem with BTM's is that they have costs and people need to make the appropriate markups the best locations cost a lot and advertising as well.

I agree with Neal location and promotion makes a big difference and the regulatory environment and uses for it locally.

Neal Conner, customer service manager for Lamassu, said the company has 138 machines currently operating around the world, with customers in “over 40 countries.” He said the firm that owned the Boston-area machines, including one in South Station that received considerable publicity because it was one of the first anywhere, had “pivoted” their business plan away from high-traffic locations to more targeted business “nationwide via cards in convenience stores.”

“We are waiting for the right person to come along and make a splash,” he said, noting that in some locations, including New York City, “they are doing very well.”

“It comes down to promotion and location,” he said.

[RealBitcoin]

I didn't know that the Cambridge unit went offline my last newsfeed for it was in 2014
The main problem with BTM's is that they have costs and people need to make the appropriate markups the best locations cost a lot and advertising as well.

I agree with Neal location and promotion makes a big difference and the regulatory environment and uses for it locally.

Neal Conner, customer service manager for Lamassu, said the company has 138 machines currently operating around the world, with customers in “over 40 countries.” He said the firm that owned the Boston-area machines, including one in South Station that received considerable publicity because it was one of the first anywhere, had “pivoted” their business plan away from high-traffic locations to more targeted business “nationwide via cards in convenience stores.”

“We are waiting for the right person to come along and make a splash,” he said, noting that in some locations, including New York City, “they are doing very well.”

“It comes down to promotion and location,” he said.

They should mix strategic positioning (etc near bars, clubs or youth based societies)

Then put up a few billboards and advertise in local newspapers (or internet for that geo-area). That should boost their usage.

[gogxmagog]

I dunno about the btc machines... Btc has become pretty easy to buy online plus you can take advantage of market volatility. I think the btc machines are mainly for total newbies and novelty really. Not a very sustainable market

[Kprawn]

I would much rather have Bitcoin vending machines, but that will never fly with all these KYC / AML regulations. I was quite surprised by this, when I saw this.. and also a bit

dissapointed in the Bitcoin community. I think most of this is linked to the dip in price. The exodus from New York with all these BitLicense requirements still have a impact on the

surrounding areas. In the end, we will only see one or two Bitcoin ATM's per state, if people do not support it. { Buying online } The operating cost, is still too high too...