Coinme is a licensed digital currency exchange and fiat on-ramp provider founded in 2014, operating a physical cash-to-crypto network across more than 40,000 retail locations, ATMs, and Coinstar kiosks throughout the United States. The platform lets users convert physical cash into crypto without needing a traditional bank account, or transact directly through an app with a debit card.
Corporate background and ownership
Based in Seattle, Washington, Coinme was co-founded by Neil Bergquist, who leads the company as chief executive officer, alongside co-founder Michael Smyers. Early financial backers include Pantera Capital, Digital Currency Group, Circle Ventures, MoneyGram, and Coinstar. In January 2026, Polygon Labs entered an agreement to acquire Coinme alongside Sequence in an infrastructure transaction valued at over $250 million.
Funding methods and supported assets
Coinme supports 11 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDC, Dogecoin, Chainlink, and Litecoin. Users can load cash at checkout counters in 14,000 participating retail locations, deposit paper money at 6,000 Coinstar kiosks, or connect a debit card inside the mobile app. For off-ramping, users can sell assets inside the app and collect physical cash at 20,000 ReadyCode ATMs nationwide without using a debit card. Coinme also operates an enterprise API that fintech platforms integrate for regulated fiat-to-crypto rails.
Fee structure and pricing
Pricing varies by transaction method. Cash purchases at retail partner counters incur a 5% exchange fee plus a cashier service fee up to $4.74. Coinstar kiosk exchange fees range between 13.04% and 22.5% depending on the machine location. Purchases using a debit card inside the app carry an embedded 4% spread, a 1.49% exchange fee, and a 3.25% card processing fee. Selling crypto to a debit card includes the 4% spread, a 1.49% exchange fee, and a 1.5% withdrawal fee. Cash withdrawals at ReadyCode ATMs require a 0.5% spread, a 1.49% exchange fee, and a flat $2.50 charge.
Compliance and operating limits
Coinme holds registration with FinCEN as a Money Services Business and maintains money transmitter licenses across 37 states, servicing 48 US states in total. Services remain unavailable in New York and Vermont due to local state licensing constraints. All account holders must complete mandatory identity verification through the mobile application, and users must be at least 18 years old. The company achieved sustained profitability and handled over $1 billion in transaction volume in 2024.
Trade-offs and risks
The primary trade-off of using Coinme is its substantial transaction fee structure, particularly at automated kiosks where charges frequently exceed 13%. Asset selection is limited to 11 currencies, lacking smaller altcoins and emerging layer-2 tokens. Users remain exposed to centralized custodial holds during initial account verification, and physical access is restricted exclusively to domestic US retail partners.