Bitcoins are a digital currency that has been growing in popularity since its release in 2009. The world’s first bitcoin ATM machine is to be introduced in Vancouver next week. On this new ATM, users are required to use a palm scanner and are limited to a maximum of $3000 exchanged per day. Cash is basically exchanged for bitcoins which are placed into your bitcoin wallet online. The introduction of this ATM, (and others soon across Canada), is to attempt to make bitcoins better known, more accessible, and overall easier to exchange.
Bitcoins have their drawbacks, such as their lack of control from a bank and their ability to be more anonymous than other currencies. They have been involved in a popular online drug marketplace that used bitcoins as currency.
I do not see a digital currency becoming overly popular to most people. Why would somebody go through the hassle of exchanging Canadian dollars to bitcoins to purchase online? Paypal already accomplishes this task, and is substantially more convenient that bitcoins. The dark past of bitcoins being involved in anonymous drug purchases will hurt its ability to move forward as a socially accepted currency as well.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/world-s-first-bitcoin-atm-goes-live-in-vancouver-next-week-1.2251820