There Are Three Bitcoin ATMs Inside the Tesla Gigafactory
While it's unclear if Tesla is looking to get involved in Bitcoin at a corporate level, Tesla employees can apparently dollar-cost average into the leading cryptocurrency at Bitcoin automated teller machines (ATM) inside its first Gigafactory.
Will Reeves, CEO of payments app Fold, noted on October 10th that after passing by the Tesla Gigafactory in Reno, Nevada, he noticed a LibertyX Bitcoin ATM on the premises. Per the screenshot he shared, the machine is located toward the north side of the factory.
According to Tesla, the Gigafactory produces "Model 3 electric motors and battery packs, in addition to Tesla’s energy storage products, Powerwall and Powerpack." The location is the workplace for approximately 7,000 employees.
LibertyX, the Bitcoin ATM provider, previously noted that there are a total of three machines inside the Gigafactory. The ATMs have been there since at least August 14th.
However, on October 12th, Musk commented on a now-deleted tweet by Teslarati, stating he doesn't believe the news to be "accurate." He did not elaborate further.
Elon Musk Is Somewhat of a Bitcoin Fan
Having worked at the edge of technology for two decades, Elon Musk has crossed paths with Bitcoin on multiple occasions. In the past, he was pictured holding a book with the word "cryptocurrency" emblazoned on the front. He has also tweeted and talked about Bitcoin on multiple occasions.
In a podcast with ARK Invest's Kathy Wood, who herself is an avid Bitcoin supporter, Musk said that he thinks Bitcoin's structure is "brilliant." He added that in a world where there are fiat currency controls such as those in Venezuela, digital currencies make sense. One reservation Musk voiced, however, is that he is worried that Bitcoin is too power-consumptive, sticking to the environmental beliefs that underlie his businesses.
He mentioned the cryptocurrency again in a recent Twitter exchange with J.K. Rowling, author of the "Harry Potter" franchise.
Responding to one of many tweets published by Rowling mid-May, Musk told the famous author that "massive currency issuance by govt central banks is making Bitcoin Internet money look solid by comparison."
UPDATE (Oct 12th, 6:58 UTC): Updated to include a tweet from Elon Musk stating that he doesn't believe it is correct there are Bitcoin ATMs inside the Tesla Gigafactory.