Very few: about 20 machines were counted in Amsterdam back in 2020 and the number has only fallen since, so do not count on finding one. So the nearest machine may be a trek, and where one exists it still charges for rent, cash transport and insurance through its fee. A person-to-person meetup at Amsterdam Centraal has none of those costs, so the same Amsterdam trade costs 5 percent instead of 15 to 30.
What the machine costs in Amsterdam, against a meetup
| Where | Fee | You lose | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap ATM, posted fee only | 12% | ||
| Typical ATM, fee plus rate markup | 18% | ||
| Expensive ATM | 25% | ||
| Cash meetup via Satpeer | 5% |
Assumptions: ATM ranges from published 2026 fee reviews, 10 to 25 percent posted plus a 5 to 15 percent rate markup. Our 5 percent is the whole cost, quoted against the live market rate at the meetup.
Where to meet in Amsterdam
- Amsterdam CentraalThe busiest station in the country, cafes inside and out, staffed all day.
- OBA Oosterdok (central public library)A short walk from Centraal, lots of seating, a cafe on the top floor.
- Dam SquareThe main central square, always crowded, cafes and department stores around it.
- Magna PlazaA covered shopping arcade behind Dam Square, easy to find and sheltered.
Amsterdam Centraal is the end point of metro lines 51, 52, 53 and 54 and of most tram lines, and NS trains from Schiphol take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Who trades cash here
People come in from De Pijp, Amsterdam-Noord, Zuidas, Amstelveen, Haarlem and Zaandam. Amsterdam has a large expat and tourist population, a long running Bitcoin scene dating back to 2013, and a banking system where cash is used less and less. There is a regular local meetup, Bitcoin Wednesday Amsterdam, so the city has an active Bitcoin crowd and most people trading cash here have done it before.
Cash in Amsterdam
Dutch shoppers pay mostly by debit card. Cash was about one in five shop payments in 2024 (DNB). A law banning cash payments of 3,000 euros or more to traders in goods was published in October 2025. It does not cover private people paying each other.
How it works in Amsterdam
- 1. Tell us what you need. Use the form above with the coin, the amount and your Telegram username, or message @primebaseMBot on Telegram.
- 2. Agree the rate. We quote one clear price for the amount, against the live market. No account, no ID.
- 3. Meet at Amsterdam Centraal or another busy public spot in Amsterdam. We agree a time that suits both sides, in daylight when possible.
- 4. Swap. You hand over the cash, it is counted, and the crypto lands in your wallet before anyone leaves.
Staying safe
Only selling? The sell Bitcoin for cash in Amsterdam page covers the sale side step by step.
For the bank route and the tax side, read how to cash out Bitcoin in the Netherlands.
Questions people in Amsterdam ask
Can we meet at Amsterdam Centraal?
Yes, it is the most common choice. The main hall and the IJ side are busy all day and there are several cafes to sit in. Agree on a named cafe rather than just the station.
I am coming from Schiphol. How long does it take?
NS trains run from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal every few minutes and take about 15 to 20 minutes. There is no need to take a taxi.
Is there a limit on how much cash I can hand over in the Netherlands?
A new Dutch law bans cash payments of 3,000 euros or more to traders in goods. It does not cover private people paying each other. Banks also set their own daily ATM limits.
How much do Bitcoin ATMs in Amsterdam really cost?
Operators post service fees of roughly 10 to 25 percent, and most add an exchange-rate markup on top. Reviews put the real all-in cost at 15 to 30 percent. On €1,000 that is €150 to €300 gone.
Do I need ID or an account for a cash meetup?
No account and no ID upload with us. You message the desk on Telegram, say buy or sell, the amount and Amsterdam, and we set up the meeting.