It’s a very real machine for a virtual currency.
On Thursday, startup Robocoin was unveiling a bitcoin ATM in Austin, Texas — the first of at least seven it plans to operate in the United States by May. The machines will allow users to pay real dollars for bitcoins to add to their virtual wallets, and vice-versa.
Bitcoin is the cryptocurrency that’s not backed by the U.S. or other governments, isn’t backed by banks, and has no physical assets backing it. Since its introduction in 2009, the value of bitcoin has fluctuated, but it was priced as high as $1,000 in December. Currently, one bitcoin is worth around $600