Schiphol – the international airport serving the Netherlands’ capital city, Amsterdam – is launching an ATM that will allow travelers to exchange their euros for bitcoin or ethereum.
The airport explained in an announcement on Wednesday that the machine is being located in the departures terminal, since it will offer travelers an option to convert their remaining euros to the two popular cryptocurrencies when they leave the country.
The new ATM service – facilitated through a partnership with Dutch software firm ByeleX – is currently at the beginning of a six-month trial period to determine if there is sufficient demand from travelers, the release indicates.
Tanja Dik, director of Consumer Products & Services at Schiphol, commented:
“With the bitcoin ATM, we hope to provide a useful service to passengers by allowing them to easily exchange ‘local’ euros for the ‘global’ cryptocurrencies bitcoin and ethereum. That can be beneficial if, for instance, it’s not possible to spend euros in their home country.”
The effort comes as other international airports are starting to embrace the idea of cryptocurrency as a potentially beneficial added service for their customers.
Earlier this year, Australia’s Brisbane airport also announced a plan to roll out a crypto payment option for consumers shopping at retail outlets across the terminal.
Schiphol airport image via Shutterstock