Bitcoin Adoption Takes a Major Leap as Steak ‘N Shake Goes Nationwide with Crypto Payments
In a groundbreaking move for cryptocurrency adoption, Steak ‘N Shake has announced it will begin accepting Bitcoin payments at all its U.S. locations starting May 16, 2025. This marks one of the first nationwide rollouts by a major fast-food chain, potentially exposing over 100 million customers to crypto payments. The decision represents a significant test for Bitcoin’s viability in high-volume, low-margin businesses and could pave the way for broader retail adoption across the industry.
Steak ‘N Shake to Roll Out US Bitcoin Payments Nationwide
Steak ‘n Shake will begin accepting Bitcoin at all U.S. locations starting May 16, marking one of the first nationwide rollouts by a major fast-food chain. The move grants over 100 million customers access to crypto payments—a rare case of full-scale adoption in an industry where most retailers have limited digital asset integration to pilot programs.
The decision tests Bitcoin’s viability for high-volume, low-margin businesses. Fast food operates on razor-thin profitability, making transaction speed and cost efficiency critical. Success could signal broader merchant adoption, while failures may reinforce existing skepticism about crypto’s utility for everyday commerce.
Bitcoin’s Price Surge to $104K Liquidates Nearly $400M in Bearish BTC Bets
Bitcoin’s rapid price rally has caught traders off guard, triggering large liquidations of bearish short positions. The leading cryptocurrency by market value has risen over 3% to $102,500 in the past 24 hours, with prices topping $104,000 at one point—the highest since Jan. 31.
The bullish move coincided with President Donald Trump’s announcement of a comprehensive trade deal with the U.K. and record-breaking cumulative inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs, surpassing $40 billion. The broader crypto market rallied in tandem, with the total market cap of altcoins surging 10% to $1.14 trillion, a level last seen in early March.
This aggressive upward momentum has forced a reckoning for Leveraged short sellers, wiping out nearly $400 million in bearish bets. Market observers now watch for whether this liquidation cascade could fuel further upside as positions unwind.
Metaplanet Bags $21.25M to Buy More Bitcoin
Tokyo-based Metaplanet has secured $21.25 million through zero-interest bond issuance, earmarked for expanding its bitcoin reserves. The strategic move underscores the firm’s conviction in Bitcoin’s long-term appreciation and its commitment to crypto-centric growth.
By opting for interest-free financing, Metaplanet sidesteps additional debt burdens while doubling down on its digital asset strategy. The allocation reflects a calculated bet on Bitcoin’s store-of-value proposition amid broader institutional adoption trends.
India-Pakistan Conflict Will Fuel Bitcoin Price, Says Russian Politician Anatoly Aksakov
Bitcoin’s price surge defies escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack and India’s Operation Sindoor. Russian MP Anatoly Aksakov posits that geopolitical instability creates prime buying conditions for BTC, reinforcing its status as a digital safe-haven asset.
The cryptocurrency breached $100,000 amid the conflict, outperforming traditional market movers. Chinese defense stocks rallied 20% intraday and 36% over two sessions, yet investor attention remains fixated on Bitcoin’s parabolic ascent.
Bitcoin Surpasses Amazon in Market Cap, Enters Top 5 Global Assets
Bitcoin has achieved a historic milestone by overtaking Amazon in market capitalization, securing its position as the fifth most valuable asset globally. With a market cap exceeding $2.03 trillion, Bitcoin now stands ahead of Amazon’s $2.012 trillion valuation.
This shift underscores the growing influence of decentralized networks in challenging traditional tech giants. The ranking, dominated by Apple, Microsoft, and Saudi Aramco, now includes Bitcoin—a testament to its entrenched role in global financial hierarchies.
