Users of Bitcoin (BTC) ATMs in Argentina have been granted the capability to utilize the Lightning Network, following similar advancements made earlier this month in El Salvador.
The project is an initiative of Athena Bitcoin, the crypto ATM operator, which initiated Lightning Network integration in El Salvador in early November.
The firm aims to expand its integration project across the entire Latin American region. It plans to roll out the Lightning Network integration service in December. However, for now, the integration is only one-way. Lightning transactions are only available for BTC holders who sell their coins for cash at Athena’s ATMs. The firm stated that the availability of services for buying BTC with fiat is still in the pipeline.
The move to integrate the Lightning Network into its machines has been on Athena’s agenda since 2021, as announced at an event in El Salvador. Conventional BTC transaction fees currently vary from just over $3 to more than $13. However, the media outlet shared an image of an Athena ATM user’s receipt, demonstrating a fee of just 4 Satoshi (around $0.0015) to withdraw ARS 1,000 (just under $3).
The adoption of Bitcoin and crypto is on the rise in Argentina, where hyperinflation has been a significant issue for years. Both candidates of the upcoming presidential election run-off have expressed interest in moving into the crypto and BTC spaces.
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