A small city in North Dakota is jumping further into crypto with the installation of the first government-backed ATM in a US airport

• A small city in North Dakota is expanding into the $2.5 trillion cryptocurrency world by installing a crypto ATM as its airport.
• Travelers and non-passengers will have access to the machine to sell or buy more than 40 cryptocurrencies.

Williston, a small city in North Dakota, is planting its flag in the massive $2.5 trillion cryptocurrency market by installing a crypto ATM in its airport.

People passing through and working at the Williston Basin International Airport will be able to buy and sell bitcoin, dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and at least 37 other digital currencies at what city officials say is the first "government-hosted" crypto kiosk at a US airport.

"This is an ambitious step in introducing and engaging the public towards cryptocurrency while proactively playing a role in building the digital ecosystem," Hercules Cummings, the finance director of the City of Williston, said in a statement. Williston had a population of a little more than 29,000 in 2019, according to US Census data. The city is located in part of the Bakken formation which is well-known for deposits of oil and natural gas.

"Although we are a smaller rural community, we are making an impact. Taking this small step may pave the way for other government and commercial entities to follow suit," he said.

The move builds on the city's previous work in embracing cryptocurrency, whose market capitalization recently topped $3 trillion for the first time. Williston in May began accepting cryptocurrencies like bitcoin as payment for utility bills, according to a Cointelegraph report. Cummings told the news outlet that Williston was the first municipality in North Dakota and the third in the country to offer such a service. The move was made in partnership with BitPay, a crypto payment firm.

Cummings said the airport's so-called digital currency machine can serve people who prefer not to use their bank or debit cards or who don't have access to traditional financial services. Ticketed passengers and non-travelers will have access to the machine as it will be placed before a secured area. People can also use the machine to withdraw cash from their digital wallets.

The airport ATM project is in conjunction with crypto services provider Coin Cloud, according to the statement.