Polygon Plans to Acquire Coinme to Expand Real-World Crypto Access

• Polygon plans a Coinme deal to link cash entry with faster blockchain settlement nationwide.
• Coinme runs licensed Bitcoin ATMs across most states, giving broad physical crypto reach.
• The move shifts Polygon from scaling focus toward regulated real-world payments access.

Polygon is nearing a potential acquisition of Coinme as it seeks deeper control over real-world crypto payment rails and fiat on-ramps. The deal targets one of the largest Bitcoin ATM operators in the United States. Sources familiar with the matter say the transaction could reach between $100 million and $125 million. The move places Polygon closer to everyday consumer access points. It also connects blockchain settlement with physical financial infrastructure.

Polygon aims to acquire Coinme while working with Architect Partners as an adviser. The talks remain private, and both parties have declined public comment so far. Coinme did not respond before publication. Polygon also declined to comment on the reported negotiations.

If completed, the transaction would expand Polygon’s reach beyond on-chain scaling. The network has focused on faster transactions and lower fees as an Ethereum Layer-2. This deal would add offline distribution channels to its strategy. 

Coinme’s Established U.S. Footprint

Coinme activated its first licensed Bitcoin ATM on May 1, 2014. It later expanded operations across approximately 49 U.S. states. The company is known for building one of the earliest regulated crypto kiosk networks in the country. Its machines allow users to buy and sell crypto using cash or debit cards.

Over time, Coinme expanded beyond Bitcoin. It added several popular crypto tokens to its grocery store kiosks. The move reflected growing demand for simple retail crypto access.

Coinme also operates under a broad regulatory framework. The company holds money transmitter licenses in nearly all U.S. states. This compliance structure allows it to operate legally across jurisdictions. Such licensing has become more valuable as U.S. crypto regulation tightens.

Polygon’s Shift Beyond On-Chain Scaling

Polygon has built its reputation on Ethereum scaling solutions. Its ecosystem includes proof-of-stake chains and zero-knowledge technologies like zkEVM. These tools support DeFi and Web3 applications with reduced costs and faster settlement. Until now, Polygon focused mainly on developer and protocol infrastructure.

In 2023, Polygon raised $450 million in a funding round led by Sequoia Capital India. The capital strengthened its balance sheet. It also gave Polygon flexibility to pursue expansion strategies. The reported Coinme talks align with that funding momentum.

By integrating Coinme’s ATM network, Polygon could add direct on-ramps and off-ramps. Users could convert cash into digital assets tied to the Polygon ecosystem. This includes tokens such as MATIC and other network assets. The move would link fiat entry directly to blockchain settlement.

Related: Stablecoins To Hit 100,000 Issuers In Five Years, Says Polygon Exec

Competition and Integration Challenges

The crypto ATM market is already populated with the big names in the game. Bitcoin Depot and Coin Cloud have kiosks all over. Moreover, traditional banks are looking into the possibility of physical crypto access points. This development makes things even more difficult for retail users as competition is rising. 

Polygon will need to carefully incorporate Coinme services, as the whole ATM network is presently focused on Bitcoin transactions. Extending support for assets based on Polygon would necessitate technical and regulatory coordination. Observers are watching how quickly Polygon could broaden kiosk functionality.

At the same time, Coinme’s licensing framework could support future products. These include stablecoin payments and other consumer crypto services. The existing compliance structure may ease expansion under U.S. regulations. That infrastructure could support Polygon’s broader payments ambitions.