How to Buy Bitcoin With Cash (Step-by-Step Guide)

What this guide covers: How to buy Bitcoin with cash using a Localcoin Bitcoin ATM, step by step.

Time required: 2–5 minutes at the ATM.

What you need: A Bitcoin wallet (with QR code), cash, and a mobile phone for SMS verification.

ID required? Purchases up to $4,975 per day need only phone verification. Purchases above $4,975 per day require government-issued ID.

Where to find one: Localcoin operates 1,000+ Bitcoin ATMs across Canada.

The fastest way to buy Bitcoin with cash is at a Bitcoin ATM. At a Localcoin ATM:

1. Find an ATM near you;
2. Select Bitcoin and verify your phone number;
3. Scan your wallet QR code; and
4. Insert cash. Bitcoin is sent to your wallet in minutes. No exchange account is needed.

A Bitcoin ATM (BTM) is a physical kiosk that lets you buy Bitcoin using cash — no bank account, no exchange account, and no complicated sign-up process required.

Instead of creating an account on a cryptocurrency exchange, a Bitcoin ATM lets you walk up, insert cash, scan your wallet, and walk away with Bitcoin in minutes. Localcoin operates 1,000+ Bitcoin ATMs across Canada, making it one of the most accessible ways for beginners to enter the crypto market.

Before heading to a Localcoin ATM, make sure you have these three things ready:

You'll need a Bitcoin wallet to receive your Bitcoin after the ATM transaction. Here are two beginner-friendly options:

Tip: Once your wallet is installed, open it and find your Bitcoin receive address. It will appear as a QR code. Have this screen ready before you approach the ATM.

Use the Localcoin ATM locator to find the closest machine. You can search by city, postal code, or your current location. Localcoin has 1,000+ locations across Canada, including convenience stores, pharmacies, and shopping centres.

On the Localcoin ATM screen, tap Bitcoin. Enter your mobile phone number when prompted. You will receive a one-time SMS verification code. Enter the code on the ATM screen to proceed. This step verifies your identity and helps prevent fraud.

The ATM will ask you to scan your Bitcoin wallet’s receive address. Open your wallet app and display your QR code. Hold it up to the ATM’s scanner. The ATM will use this address to send your Bitcoin directly to your wallet.

ID verification is required for transactions above $4,975 per day

Insert the cash bills one at a time into the ATM’s bill acceptor. The screen will display the equivalent amount in Bitcoin based on the current exchange rate. Review the transaction summary, then confirm. The ATM sends Bitcoin to your wallet immediately. You will receive an SMS receipt confirming the transaction.

How long does it take? Most transactions are completed in 2-5 minutes at the ATM. Bitcoin typically arrives in your wallet within a few minutes, depending on blockchain confirmation times.

Bitcoin ATMs charge a transaction fee, which is typically a percentage of the purchase amount. Fees vary by location and transaction size. The current fee is displayed on the ATM screen before you confirm your transaction, so there are no surprises.

Tip: Always review the transaction summary screen before confirming. It will show you exactly how much Bitcoin you will receive after fees

Yes — buying Bitcoin from a regulated, trusted Bitcoin ATM operator like Localcoin is safe. Localcoin is a registered Money Services Business (MSB) in Canada and complies with FINTRAC anti-money laundering regulations.

Security measures built into every Localcoin ATM transaction:

• SMS phone verification on every transaction
• Blockchain transaction records that are permanent and tamper-proof
• Secure direct wallet transfers — funds go straight to your wallet, not through a third party
• ID verification required for purchases above $4,975 per day

Important: Always ensure you are using a legitimate, registered Bitcoin ATM operator. Scammers sometimes place fake ATMs or pressure people to send Bitcoin to unknown wallets. Localcoin will never ask you to send Bitcoin to anyone other than your own wallet.

Buying Bitcoin with cash has never been easier. With Localcoin’s network of Bitcoin ATMs across Canada, you can go from cash in hand to Bitcoin in your wallet in under five minutes — no exchange account, no wait times, no complicated process.

Use the Localcoin ATM locator to find the nearest machine and complete your first purchase today.