Walmart Inc, the world’s largest retailer, announced on Thursday, October 21, that customers at some of its U.S. stores will be able to buy Bitcoin using ATMs installed by Coinstar.
Walmart stated that it has begun a pilot program where consumers can purchase Bitcoin as Coinstar kiosks in some of its U.S. stores.
Molly Blakeman, Walmart communications director, talked about the development and stated that:
“Coinstar, in partnership with Coinme, has launched a pilot that allows its customers to use cash to purchase bitcoin. There are 200 Coinstar kiosks located inside Walmart stores across the United States that are part of this pilot.”
Mr. Blakeman said that the pilot test by Coinstar started earlier this month, and the pilot program includes 200 kiosks in Walmart stores.
The program is part of a broader initiative by Coinstar, which has partnered with a cryptocurrency exchange and payment firm called CoinMe that specializes in Bitcoin ATMs, to allow customers to purchase Bitcoin at some of its kiosks.
The Walmart spokesperson stated that there are 200 Coinstar kiosks located inside Walmart stores across the U.S. that will allow consumers to purchase Bitcoin.
Coinstar, which is best known for its machines that allow customers to exchange physical coins for cash, plans to provide Bitcoin at more than 8,000 kiosks worldwide.
Walmart Expanding Its Virtual Payment Options
Walmart is testing the pilot service program weeks after the firm became a subject to a cryptocurrency hoax in September when a fake press release was published, claiming that Litecoin (LTC) would be accepted as payment at Walmart stores. The phoney news sent values of the little-known crypto token surging.
Though the announcement was false, Walmart is examining the future of cryptocurrency in its business operations.
As reported by Blockchain.News in August, Walmart advertised to hire cryptocurrency experts to help the firm develop “the digital currency strategy and product roadmap” while identifying “crypto-related investment and partnerships,” a time when an increasing number of Fortune 500 companies warm up to digital currencies.
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