“ATM”变局：“黄金ATM机”火了，银行ATM机却在减少

Core Viewpoint - The rise of "gold ATM machines" reflects a shift in consumer behavior and the growing trend of gold recycling amid increasing gold prices, contrasting with the decline of traditional bank ATMs in China [1][2][5]. Group 1: Gold ATM Machines - "Gold ATM machines" are self-service terminals for gold recycling, allowing users to sell gold jewelry conveniently, similar to withdrawing cash from a bank ATM [2][3]. - Developed by a company named Jinya Fu, these machines can recycle between 3 grams to 1000 grams of gold products, including gold bars and jewelry, and provide real-time payment upon completion of the transaction [2][3]. - As of May this year, Jinya Fu reported a 407.44% year-on-year increase in gold recycled through their machines, with one bank in Dalian recycling over 29,000 grams in a single month [3][4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The gold recycling market in China is significant, with an estimated 1.7 million tons of gold held by the public, valued at over 10 trillion yuan, and a secondary market growing at 15% to 20% annually [4]. - Traditional gold recycling methods face challenges such as lack of transparency and inefficient processes, with only 2% to 3% of gold being recycled annually; the introduction of digital solutions like gold ATMs could potentially activate a market worth over 1.2 trillion yuan [4]. Group 3: Decline of Traditional ATMs - The number of traditional bank ATMs in China has been decreasing, with a reported decline of 42,800 machines in the past year, totaling 802,700 ATMs by the end of 2024 [6]. - The decline in ATM usage reflects changing consumer payment habits, with many individuals reporting reduced or no use of bank ATMs in recent years [5][6]. - Despite the decline, traditional ATMs still serve essential functions and may have potential for innovation, as indicated by recent regulatory support for enhancing ATM services [7].