No pre-registration required for the cryptoasset exchange machine "BTM", expecting inbound demand──exchange operator Gaia | CoinDesk JAPAN

The cryptoasset exchange operator Gate announced on June 4 that it has added new features to its cryptoasset automatic exchange machine "BTM®" and has started providing a cryptoasset exchange service that does not require prior registration. This service is aimed at catering to the needs of foreign tourists visiting Japan and provides a means of exchanging for Japanese yen.

The newly equipped BTM is installed in a total of 3 locations in Tokyo, including the Foot Town of Tokyo Tower, and in Osaka City, allowing for real-time exchange of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to Japanese yen.

For foreign tourists, if they have an IC chip-equipped (ICAO) passport, they can complete the currency exchange process on the spot. On the other hand, domestic residents can use their My Number card to access the same service.

In using this service, the fee rate for cryptoassets transactions is set at 10%. Transactions are limited to once a day, with a maximum of 100,000 yen, and the sale of cryptoassets is conducted in units of 1,000 yen. The applicable exchange rate is determined at the moment the user presses the "Start Transaction Button".

Additionally, there may be cases where it cannot be used depending on the issuing country of the passport or nationality, and there are limitations on the number of transactions and amounts. Furthermore, the functionality to send cryptoassets to external wallets via BTM is not provided.

Movements surrounding cryptoasset ATMs are being observed internationally; for example, in the United States, a proposal was made in May 2025 to consider the installation of cryptoasset ATMs within federal government buildings.

Related Article: Install cryptoassets ATMs in government buildings: Proposal by US House Representative

This proposal aims to actively utilize blockchain technology and demonstrate President Trump's stance on promoting cryptoassets to the public. While there are new movements abroad, the spread of cryptoasset ATMs domestically has been limited so far.

In the past, there were installation cases in areas like Roppongi, Tokyo, but many of them disappeared from the domestic market after the fraudulent outflow of funds incident involving cryptoassets exchanges that occurred in 2018.

Although it is a bit old, in an interview with CoinDesk JAPAN in September 2022, Gaia's representative director Motohiro Ogura stated, "We want to increase the number of installations at offices where blockchain companies such as cryptoasset exchanges reside, as well as at spaces of operators installing ATMs of financial institutions in the city." He indicated a policy to install 130 BTM machines in Japan over three years, but as of the launch of this new service, the number of operational machines is 3.

Related articles: cryptoassets ATMs start operating in Tokyo - Gaia's aim is to have 130 units in the country within 3 years.