With Bitcoin (BTC) soaring roughly 33% to $84,151 since early August, it is relatively easy to forget that the cryptocurrency market remained on a downtrend for most of 2026.
The changes in the number of BTC ATMs installed in the U.S., however, clearly reflect the trend prevalent through most of the year, as it recorded a steep drop of 11,418.
When viewed through the lens of relative losses, the decline appears even more dire. At the start of 2026, there were 30,924 Bitcoin ATMs in the country and, at press time on September 24, only 19,506 remain, a 36.92% drop.
Additionally, despite the scale of the recent rally, there has been little recovery in September and, in the first three weeks of the month, the number increased by just 38: from 19,468 to 19,506.
The world loses over 12,000 Bitcoin ATMs so far in 2026
Meanwhile, though the trend is also visible globally – the worldwide total fell by 12,065 from 39,402 to 27,337 – neither of the other major Western markets saw a crash as significant.
In Canada, there were 3,736 Bitcoin ATMs at the start of 2026 and, at press time on September 24, there are 55 fewer – 3,681.
Europe also saw a somewhat more significant – 77 as it fell from 1,613 to 1,536 – though, notably, the entire gain between early June and early August was erased.
Still, the totals for the United States remain, arguably, the most important for the sector. Out of the 27,337 Bitcoin ATMs installed globally, 19,506 – 71.35% – are in the U.S., and only 13.47% and 5.62% in Canada and Europe, respectively.
Bitcoin price rally could lead to new BTC ATM installations in 2026
Lastly, there is a chance that the downtrend will reverse at least partially before the end of 2026.
Late in August, Bitcoin – together with most of the cryptocurrency market – broke the long-standing downtrend and is, at press time, trading at $84,151 – a high not seen since the initial weeks of the year if the fluctuations in the last week are excluded.
Furthermore, multiple prominent trading experts and other analysts estimate that BTC is facing relatively little resistance until reaching roughly $104,000, meaning a rally above $90,000 and toward $100,000 appears to be in the cards before 2027 starts.
Featured image via Shutterstock
