Coinme

US cash on-ramp and off-ramp network across more than 40,000 retail locations and kiosks

On-ramp KYC required Founded 2014 United States
Visit coinme.com
Our score
Good
Typical fee 5% exchange fee for cash loads, 13.04% to 22.5% at Coinstar, or 4% spread plus 4.74% in fees for debit cards
Payment methods Card
Countries 1
Sell to fiat (off-ramp) Yes
KYC required Yes

What is Coinme?

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.

Founders

Neil BergquistCo-Founder and CEO
Michael SmyersCo-Founder, Engineering and Product
Best for:Unbanked US buyers using cashCoinstar kiosk crypto buyersRetail cash-out ATM users

Pros and cons

Pros

  • More than 40,000 physical retail and ATM cash-handling locations nationwide
  • Allows cryptocurrency purchases with physical cash without a bank account
  • FinCEN-registered and licensed money transmitter operating across 48 US states
  • Cash-out functionality available at 20,000 ReadyCode ATMs
  • Backed by institutional investors and acquired by Polygon Labs in 2026

Cons

  • Coinstar kiosk purchase fees range between 13.04% and 22.5%
  • Debit card purchases incur a combined 4% spread, 1.49% fee, and 3.25% surcharge
  • Unavailable to residents of New York and Vermont
  • Restricted to 11 supported cryptocurrencies
  • Mandatory identity verification prevents anonymous cash purchases

Our review

3.5/5
Good

Coinme offers broad US cash access and an off-ramp, but its convenience comes with high fees and a required identity check.

Fees2.5
Coverage4.5
Payment methods4.0
Ease of use3.5
Support3.0

Coinme is a US-focused on-ramp and off-ramp built around cash retail locations, Coinstar kiosks, debit cards, and app-based withdrawals. It operates in 48 states, excluding New York and Vermont, with more than 40,000 physical locations in October 2026. That footprint is its clearest strength. Coinme Cash covers more than 14,000 retail counters, Coinstar adds more than 6,000 kiosks, and ReadyCode supports cash withdrawals at more than 20,000 ATMs.

Payment choice is practical rather than broad. Customers can buy or sell through the app with a debit card, or buy with physical cash without a bank account. The app also supports selling to a Visa debit card and cash pickup through ReadyCode. Coinme requires identity verification, normally completed once in the app, and accounts are for people aged 18 or older. The service supports 11 cryptocurrencies on its official FAQ, while named supported networks include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon.

Fees are the main drawback. Coinme Cash charges a 5% exchange fee plus a retail service fee of up to $4.74. Coinstar purchases charge 13.04% to 22.5%, depending on location. App debit purchases include a 4% spread, a 1.49% exchange fee, and a 3.25% processing fee. ReadyCode cash-out is less expensive at a 0.5% spread, a 1.49% exchange fee, and a $2.50 flat fee, but network transfer fees can still apply.

The company has operated since 2014 and says it surpassed $1 billion in transaction volume in 2024. It is a FinCEN-registered money services business with 37 US state money transmitter licenses. Coinme says most assets are held in cold storage and that accounts use multifactor authentication with 24/7 security monitoring. Polygon Labs agreed to acquire Coinme in a transaction valued at more than $250 million, announced in January 2026. That gives the business a substantial infrastructure parent, while also adding acquisition-related change to its operating context.

Coinme suits people who need physical cash access or a US cash-out route. A regulated bank-transfer on-ramp may fit better for larger purchases where Coinme’s spreads and retail fees outweigh location convenience. Developers can use its Crypto-as-a-Service API for cash on-ramps, stablecoins, and wallet infrastructure.

Listings are researched and drafted with AI assistance from public sources, then checked for accuracy and readability. Spot an error? Tell us. Editorial policy.
Sources (4)

Specs

Service On-ramp, Off-ramp, Widget / API · unverified
Payment methods Card · unverified
Typical fee 5% exchange fee for cash loads, 13.04% to 22.5% at Coinstar, or 4% spread plus 4.74% in fees for debit cards · unverified
Countries 1 · unverified
Assets 11 · unverified
Developer widget / API Yes · unverified
KYC required Yes · unverified
Sell to fiat (off-ramp) Yes · unverified
Apple Pay No · unverified
Delivery time Minutes · unverified

Not disclosed by the provider: Minimum purchase, Max purchase.

Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.

Key features

Coinstar kiosk purchases

Deposit physical cash at more than 6,000 Coinstar machines across 48 US states to purchase Bitcoin and other assets directly.

Retail checkout loading

Fund crypto balances using physical cash at over 14,000 partner retail checkout counters nationwide.

ReadyCode cash withdrawals

Sell digital assets inside the mobile app and collect physical cash at 20,000 ReadyCode ATMs without a debit card.

In-app debit card purchases

Buy and sell supported cryptocurrencies 24/7 with an attached debit card through the mobile app.

Crypto-as-a-service API

Integrate licensed fiat cash on-ramps, stablecoins, and custodial wallet infrastructure into fintech applications.

Inside Coinme

Coinme Cash

Coinme Cash lets customers load physical cash into a crypto wallet at more than 14,000 participating retail checkout counters. The service is designed for purchases without a bank account or debit card.

Coinstar Kiosk

Coinstar kiosks let customers buy supported cryptocurrencies with cash at more than 6,000 locations. Coinme lists kiosk exchange fees of 13.04% to 22.5%, depending on location.

ReadyCode ATM Cash-Out

ReadyCode lets customers sell crypto in the Coinme app and withdraw cash at more than 20,000 ATMs. Coinme lists a 0.5% spread, a 1.49% exchange fee, and a $2.50 flat fee for this route.

Buy or Sell with your debit card

The mobile app supports instant crypto purchases and sales with a connected debit card. App purchases include a 4% spread, a 1.49% exchange fee, and a 3.25% processing fee.

Crypto-as-a-Service

Coinme provides licensed cash on-ramps, stablecoin capabilities, and wallet infrastructure through an API for fintech and enterprise products.

Coinme screenshots

Coinme’s homepage shows cryptocurrency buying and selling with cash, debit cards, and app downloads
Coinme’s homepage shows cryptocurrency buying and selling with cash, debit cards, and app downloads · Oct 21, 2026
Docs: Coinme Crypto-as-a-Service documentation homepage with navigation, guides, API reference, and product description
Docs: Coinme Crypto-as-a-Service documentation homepage with navigation, guides, API reference, and product description · Oct 21, 2026
Coinme Cash: The Coinme Cash page explains how to add cash to a Coinme digital wallet through retail locations
Coinme Cash: The Coinme Cash page explains how to add cash to a Coinme digital wallet through retail locations · Oct 21, 2026

What users say about Coinme

User sentiment is overwhelmingly negative across public reviews, driven by severe issues with account lockouts, inaccessible funds, high transaction fees, and unhelpful automated customer support. A small number of positive reviews focus on cash purchases of cryptocurrency at retail kiosks.

Top goods

  1. Convenient cash purchases at kiosks 4 people 123
  2. Simple and easy to use 3 people 123

Top bads

  1. Accounts locked or terminated without explanation 16 people 123
  2. Slow or unhelpful automated customer support 14 people 123
  3. High transaction and processing fees 9 people 123
  4. Purchased funds or vouchers not credited 8 people 123
  5. App glitches and login failures 7 people 123

In their own words

“Great crypto service I like being able to buy crypto on any given day shopping for groceries at Safeway using the coin star machine has this service on it! Has many different crypto currencies to choose from, buy with your debit card, cash at a kiosk or through participating stores registers.”
App Store · Mar 15, 2026 · View post
“Great app to purchase your cryptocurrency The best way and cheapest fees to buy cryptocurrency is to use cash at a cvs or participating location. It’s just like loading money on to a debit card and only cost $3.95 fee to load it. Which is way cheaper then buying at a coinstar”
App Store · Dec 14, 2025 · View post
“Do not use I added money on the Coinstar Kiosk and I still have not had my money post on my account. I reached out to customer service and they said that it’s because I need to additionally verify I provided all the information. My ID a selfie the whole 9 yards my social and it’s already 3 days.”
App Store · Oct 11, 2026 · View post
“They stole my money DO NOT USE COINME. They straight-up stole my money and now I can’t even log into my account. I had deposited several thousand dollars worth of crypto through Coinme, thinking it was a legitimate service. Everything seemed fine at first.”
App Store · Jul 10, 2026 · View post
“Insane Fees Put in $160 in cash, they take out $34 in fees. That’s over 20% of your cash they take immediately as a “transaction fee””
App Store · Dec 4, 2025 · View post

Based on 50 App Store reviews, 4 Reddit posts and comments from the last 12 months, checked Oct 20, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.

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Funding and investors

$250MTotal raised
1Round
1Investor
  1. Acquisition Oct 2026 $250M
    Source

FAQ

Who founded Coinme?

Coinme was founded in 2014 by Neil Bergquist, who is its Co-Founder and CEO. Michael Smyers is listed as Co-Founder, Engineering and Product.

How much does Coinme charge?

Fees depend on the payment method. Coinme Cash charges a 5% exchange fee plus a retail service fee of up to $4.74, Coinstar purchases charge 13.04% to 22.5%, and app debit purchases include a 4% spread, a 1.49% exchange fee, and a 3.25% processing fee.

Where is Coinme available?

Coinme is available in 48 US states and is unavailable in New York and Vermont. Its network includes more than 40,000 retail counters, kiosks, and ATMs.

Does Coinme require KYC?

Yes. Users must verify their identity in the mobile app to satisfy state and federal rules, a process that usually takes only a few minutes.

Is Coinme safe to use?

Coinme is a FinCEN-registered money services business with 37 US state money transmitter licenses. It says most crypto assets are held in cold storage and accounts use multifactor authentication and 24/7 security monitoring.

Which cryptocurrencies and networks does Coinme support?

Coinme's official FAQ lists 11 supported cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, Chainlink, Litecoin, Polygon, Stellar Lumens, USDC, BTCD, and FISC. Named supported networks include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon.

Latest from Coinme on X

Coinme
@Coinme · 8.5K followers
Follow
A moment of silence for the guy who:

✅ mined 50 BTC in 2010
✅ saved it on a hard drive
✅ threw the hard drive away in 2013
✅ has been digging through a landfill in Wales ever since

Laszlo bought pizza. James Howells bought a very expensive hole in the ground. 🫡🟠

#Bitcoin #CryptoHistory #Coinme
Image attached to the post
5 0 2 628 View on X
Ethereum developers adding another update:

ETH price: 📈
gas fees: 📈

My understanding of what changed: 📉

still bullish tho 🟠

#Ethereum #ETH #Coinme #CryptoLife https://t.co/JxNxbO357X
Image attached to the post
3 0 1 482 View on X
Happy Bitcoin Pizza Day! 🍕

In 2010, 10,000 BTC bought two pizzas.

In 2026, those same 10,000 BTC are worth… a lot more pizza.

The most expensive meal in history. Don't forget to celebrate. https://t.co/jfjqItbSw2
Image attached to the post
3 0 1 293 View on X
🧠 Crypto Trivia:

In what year did Bitcoin first reach $1,000?

A) 2011
B) 2013
C) 2015
D) 2017

Drop your answer below 👇 https://t.co/8IcngtcQW2
Image attached to the post
2 0 2 272 View on X
Fiat: printed by governments, inflated by governments, bailed out by governments.

Bitcoin: 21 million. Fixed. Nobody's boss.

Choose wisely. 🟠 https://t.co/bHmxyg3oVQ
Image attached to the post
2 0 4 180 View on X

Recent public posts from @Coinme, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.

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