The accord covers two major legislative texts: the Payment Services Regulation (PSR) and the Third Payment Services Directive (PSD3).
The post EU Reaches Landmark Deal to Curb Online Payment Fraud appeared first on TechRepublic.
The accord covers two major legislative texts: the Payment Services Regulation (PSR) and the Third Payment Services Directive (PSD3).
The post EU Reaches Landmark Deal to Curb Online Payment Fraud appeared first on TechRepublic.
South Africa’s central bank has cooled expectations for a retail central bank digital currency, saying the country does not face an urgent need to launch one and should focus instead on upgrading the existing payments system.
Key Takeaways:
In a research paper published Thursday, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) said a consumer-facing CBDC is technically possible but not necessary in the near term.
The bank argued that current reforms aimed at improving the national payments rails, adding faster settlement, and widening participation by non-bank providers offer a more practical route to better financial access for now.
“While the SARB does not currently advocate for the implementation of a retail CBDC, it will continue to monitor developments and will remain prepared to act should the need arise,” the paper said.
Rather than pursuing a digital rand for everyday use, the central bank plans to focus on wholesale applications of digital currency and on boosting the efficiency of cross-border payments.
The move reflects a view that targeted infrastructure upgrades could deliver benefits sooner than a broad consumer rollout that would require new legal, technical and operational frameworks.
SARB’s researchers also tested whether a retail CBDC would solve gaps in the country’s payments network and found mixed results.
About 16% of adults remain unbanked, but the bank said a digital currency would need to match or beat cash on key features such as offline use, universal acceptance, ease of use, privacy and low cost to make a meaningful dent in that number.
The SA Reserve Bank (SARB) has published a position paper and background note on the necessity of a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) in South Africa. Drawing on years of research, technical experimentation and stakeholder engagement, the SARB finds that ‒ while a… pic.twitter.com/hCAMGAHOdP
— SA Reserve Bank (@SAReserveBank) November 27, 2025
The paper landed as the central bank issued fresh warnings about crypto assets and stablecoins.
In a separate report this week, SARB flagged the sector as a growing risk to technology-led finance and cautioned that digital tokens could be used to route money around the country’s exchange controls, which govern capital flows.
Globally, the CBDC push remains uneven.
Only three countries, including Nigeria, Jamaica, and The Bahamas, have fully launched digital currencies, while dozens of others are running pilots or are in development or research phases, according to the Atlantic Council’s tracker.
In contrast, the United States is seeking to shelve its CBDC work under the Trump administration.
In July, the US House narrowly passed a key procedural vote, clearing the path for final decisions on three major crypto bills: the GENIUS stablecoin bill, the CLARITY Act, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.
In September, House Republicans moved to combine the measure banning the Federal Reserve from creating a CBDC with the CLARITY Act.
However, the CLARITY Act has not been signed into law, but is still under consideration in the Senate. The bill requires passage by both the Senate and the House, and then presidential approval, before it can be enacted.
The post South Africa Central Bank Shelves Retail CBDC, Backs Payments Upgrade Instead appeared first on Cryptonews.
Bitcoin Magazine
Cash App’s New Feature Lets People Pay with Bitcoin — Even If They Don’t Own Any
Cash App is making bitcoin more usable for everyday payments. Starting today, the app will let you pay with Bitcoin instantly — even if you don’t hold any — by automatically converting your USD balance on the app into bitcoin for the merchant.
In a series of app features announced today, the app will now spend bitcoin locally, pay in USD over the Lightning Network, and send or receive stablecoins. All these updates are part of Cash Releases, the platform’s first bundled launch of new features, the company shared with Bitcoin Magazine.
With the new ‘Bitcoin Payments with USD’ feature, users can make instant bitcoin payments even if they don’t hold BTC. Cash App will automatically convert USD from a user’s balance into bitcoin for the merchant.
In other words, this makes Bitcoin payments accessible to all 58 million monthly users of Cash App without taxable events or decreasing their Bitcoin holdings.
Square merchants benefit too, with no fees or chargebacks, and the network operates without middlemen. Users can choose any payment path — USD to USD, BTC to BTC, BTC to USD, or USD to BTC — all powered by the open Bitcoin network. It will encourage merchants to ask customers to pay in bitcoin to avoid card fees.
The system works wherever bitcoin is accepted, connecting millions more users to fast, low-cost, borderless payments.
On top of this bitcoin payments feature, Cash App rolled out a Bitcoin Map. Following Square’s bitcoin payments launch, the map shows where local merchants accepting BTC are located, letting customers pay instantly via Lightning QR codes.
About 20% of Americans are open to using bitcoin for daily transactions, the company said, and Cash App wants to make that transition seamless for both consumers and businesses.
In addition to all this, Cash App is introducing stablecoin support. In the coming months, Customers can now send and receive digital dollars globally.
Stablecoins maintain a one-to-one value with the U.S. dollar while enabling near-instant transfers. Cash App will automatically convert received stablecoins into USD.
“Bitcoin was created to be peer-to-peer cash, and Cash App is building tools to make it work as intended — fast, open, and borderless,” said Miles Suter, Bitcoin Product Lead at Block.
When asked about stablecoins and whether they might compete with Bitcoin, Suter told Bitcoin Magazine that “legacy fiat systems are Money 1.0: slow, expensive, closed systems with banking hours and borders. Bitcoin is Money 2.0, the ultimate goal: truly decentralized, open, and permissionless. Stablecoins are Money 1.5, a pragmatic tool and a meaningful improvement from traditional financial rails, but we don’t see them as a competitor to bitcoin.”
He described stablecoins as a complementary tool for users, offering speed and stability while bitcoin remains the platform’s foundation.
Cash App will also enhance their Auto Invest feature, the company said. Scheduled bitcoin purchases now carry no fees or spreads, making it easier and more affordable for users to invest regularly.
“Standard one-time purchases have fees and spreads,” Suter said, “but we’ve built an entire ecosystem of ways to stack sats for free, like Auto Invest, Paid In Bitcoin, and Round Ups. The goal is giving customers multiple options to build their bitcoin position affordably.”
Since 2018, Cash App has helped over 24 million active users buy bitcoin, with features like Paid In Bitcoin enabling automated conversion of direct deposits into BTC.
Earlier this week, Square rolled out Bitcoin payments for U.S. sellers, allowing roughly 4 million merchants to accept BTC through their terminals with no processing fees until 2027.
The system enabled instant transactions via the Lightning Network, first piloted at Compass Coffee in Washington, D.C. Merchants could receive Bitcoin, convert it to USD, or automatically convert part of daily sales into BTC.
When asked about criticism that platforms like Square or Cash App might be centralizing Bitcoin, Suter said, “If you want access to the fiat banking system today, you need a centralized provider. The end goal is self-custody, which is why we built Bitkey. We’re building auto-sweeps to self-custody that will roll out later, and deep Bitkey integration with Square is coming in 2026 for self-custody of funds you receive as payments or convert from daily card sales.”
Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc., formerly known as Square, has evolved into a full-stack Bitcoin company spanning payments, mining, open-source software, and self-custody solutions.
Through subsidiaries like Cash App, Bitkey, Proto, Spiral, and Tidal, Block is driving Bitcoin adoption across both consumer and developer ecosystems.
The company holds over 8,780 BTC and continues to deepen its integration with Bitcoin, aligning its business strategy with the network’s long-term growth.
According to Suter, the company envisions Bitcoin becoming everyday money and a universal financial infrastructure enabling truly global commerce.
This post Cash App’s New Feature Lets People Pay with Bitcoin — Even If They Don’t Own Any first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.
Financial services are experiencing what economists call a “leapfrog moment” — when outdated infrastructure gets bypassed entirely in favor of newer, more effective solutions. This is happening right now, in developed economies where traditional banking systems struggle to serve businesses that operate beyond their original frameworks.
Consider what happened in China during the 2010s. As Ronit Ghose documents in his recent analysis of global financial evolution (Future Money: Fintech, AI and Web3, 2024), the country moved from a predominantly cash-based society to a cashless one in less than a decade. Entrepreneurs built solutions around the existing system’s limitations. Alipay emerged to solve trust problems in e-commerce. WeChat Pay grew from messaging needs. The result was financial infrastructure that actually matched how people worked and transacted.
The contrast with Western markets is striking. While China was building integrated financial ecosystems, European and American institutions were adding compliance layers to systems designed for a different era. The result is increasing friction for legitimate business activities that don’t fit traditional banking categories.
Recent regulatory developments are accelerating this fragmentation. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Travel Rule now requires cryptocurrency service providers to collect and share sender and receiver information for transactions above certain thresholds. This rule is being implemented globally, with different jurisdictions interpreting requirements differently.
In Europe, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation became fully operational on December 30, 2024, with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) guiding implementation through 2025. MiCA introduces comprehensive licensing requirements for crypto service providers and mandates strict consumer protection measures. While these regulations aim to provide clarity, they also create new compliance costs that many smaller providers cannot absorb.
The European Union’s new Anti-Money Laundering Authority is establishing operations in Frankfurt, having already signed formal cooperation agreements with the European Central Bank. This is a major expansion of financial surveillance capabilities across EU member states.
At the same time, central banks worldwide are developing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) that promise unprecedented transaction monitoring capabilities. Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michael Barr has emphasized in several occasions that these digital currencies could fundamentally alter how monetary policy is implemented and how financial privacy is managed.
These regulatory changes create practical problems for businesses operating internationally or dealing with digital assets. A consulting firm receiving payments from multiple countries now navigates different reporting requirements in each jurisdiction. A freelancer accepting cryptocurrency payments must comply with Travel Rule requirements that vary by country and transaction size.
The compliance burden disproportionately affects smaller businesses and independent professionals who lack dedicated legal departments. While large corporations can absorb the costs of multi-jurisdictional compliance, not the same can be said about freelancers and small businesses.
This regulatory complexity is driving demand for financial infrastructure that can handle modern business operations without requiring users to become compliance experts. As Ghose observes in his analysis of financial system evolution, successful solutions emerge when they solve specific problems that existing systems cannot address efficiently.
Traditional banks operate on the assumption that customers fit into predefined categories: personal banking, business banking, wealth management. But if we look at the economic activity today, it often spans multiple categories simultaneously. A content creator might receive subscription revenue, advertising payments, and cryptocurrency donations — each requiring different processing methods and compliance approaches.
The real-time payments market is responding to some of these needs. According to recent market analysis, real-time payment volumes are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 23.6% through 2030, driven primarily by demand for instant settlement and reduced transaction costs. However, real-time payment systems typically handle traditional currencies only, leaving a gap for businesses dealing with digital assets.
This fragmentation forces users to maintain relationships with multiple service providers: traditional banks for basic services, cryptocurrency exchanges for digital assets, specialized services for international transfers, and separate platforms for currency conversion. Each relationship involves separate compliance processes, different security requirements, and incompatible systems.
Most businesses know that payment delays kill deals. When customers expect instant confirmation but wait days for processing, conversion rates drop up to 20%. Projective Group found that 78% of businesses plan to invest in real-time payments to fix this problem.
The numbers reflect where things are heading. Grand View Research tracks the global real-time payments market growing from $17.6 billion to $123.3 billion by 2030.
This explains why decentralized finance technologies are gaining traction beyond crypto enthusiasts. DeFi protocols bypass traditional payment intermediaries, eliminating approval layers that cause delays. Cross-border payments that take days through traditional banking happen in minutes through DeFi infrastructure, without the currency conversion fees at each stage.
The next generation of financial platforms addresses these integration challenges by building comprehensive systems from the ground up rather than retrofitting legacy infrastructure. These platforms recognize that modern business finance involves multiple currencies, digital assets, and international operations as standard requirements, not special cases.
Ccoin Finance represents such evolution in offshore banking infrastructure. Rather than requiring the traditional approach, maintaining six-figure minimum balances, and navigating months of paperwork — the platform provides immediate access to offshore banking capabilities through online verification.
The key innovation is handling both traditional currencies and digital assets within the same infrastructure. Within a single account users can receive cryptocurrency payments, hold multiple fiat currencies, and spend through standard card networks without the artificial separations that traditional banks impose. Virtual Visa cards are available immediately after KYC approval, with physical cards and additional features available as needed.
This integrated approach extends across 92 jurisdictions, providing global access without maintaining separate banking relationships in each country.
The platform connects with the broader SourceLess ecosystem, including blockchain-based domains and digital identity management, creating comprehensive financial infrastructure that aligns with privacy and sovereignty goals.
For day-to-day operations this practical approach makes the whole difference. Instead of explaining every cryptocurrency payment or international transfer to compliance departments, users work with personalized service that understands modern business requirements. Multi-currency support allows holding funds in received currencies rather than forcing immediate conversion at unfavorable rates.
The goal is to simplify getting paid, paying others, travelling and spending — whether that involves traditional currencies or digital assets, domestic transactions or international operations. Modern financial infrastructure must adapt to support business activities rather than create obstacles at every transaction, regardless of how those activities have evolved beyond traditional banking categories.
Learn more, compare plans, and get started: ccoin.finance
Financial Systems That Can Keep Up With Modern Business was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
Bitcoin Magazine
Square Bitcoin Payments Go Live Today, Bringing Bitcoin to Millions of Merchants
Bitcoin just took another major step toward mainstream adoption. Starting today, Square sellers across the United States can officially accept Bitcoin payments directly through their terminals — with no processing fees until 2027.
The launch marks one of the most significant integrations of Bitcoin into everyday commerce to date. Square, the popular payments processor and business platform owned by Block, says roughly 4 million vendors now have access to Bitcoin payments, automatic conversions, and built-in wallets — all inside the same dashboard they already use to manage their sales and banking.
“You can expand your customer base by accepting bitcoin payments and automatically receive them as BTC or USD,” the company said in its launch statement. “Plus, get zero processing fees until 2027, no chargebacks, and instant access.”
“Our sellers can now receive btc to btc, btc to fiat, fiat to btc, or fiat to fiat,” said Jack Dorsey, Chairman of Square.
The feature first debuted last month at Compass Coffee in Washington, D.C., where a customer purchased a latte with Bitcoin during DC Fintech Week.
That pilot — the first-ever Bitcoin payment processed on a Square terminal — demonstrated instant transactions using the Lightning Network. Square says the technology will now roll out nationwide, except in New York, where regulatory hurdles remain.
JUST IN: Over 4 million Square merchants can now accept #Bitcoin at checkout, starting today.
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) November 10, 2025
Bullish
pic.twitter.com/wkSplLhVs7
The new system is designed to be simple. Merchants can accept Bitcoin payments via QR code, hold the funds in Bitcoin, or instantly convert them to U.S. dollars. Businesses can also choose to automatically convert up to 50% of their daily sales into Bitcoin — a move Square says will help small businesses diversify savings and hedge against inflation.
According to an internal survey, about 29% of sellers are exploring Bitcoin conversions for business savings, and 89% of interested merchants plan to use Bitcoin as a long-term treasury asset.
“We’re making Bitcoin payments as seamless as card payments,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin at Block. “Through Square and Cash App, we’re helping Bitcoin become everyday money — not just a store of value.”
Merchants using Square’s free, Plus, or Premium plans can access Bitcoin features starting today. While Bitcoin conversions carry a small fee, payments themselves remain free for the first year.
For small businesses, Square Bitcoin could mean lower costs and faster settlement compared to card networks, which typically take several days and charge processing fees. For Bitcoin, it signals a powerful step toward becoming usable money — not just digital gold.
As the feature goes live, millions of small businesses — from barbershops to breweries — could soon be adding a new sign next to “Visa” and “Mastercard.”
Now, it will read: “Bitcoin Accepted Here.”
This post Square Bitcoin Payments Go Live Today, Bringing Bitcoin to Millions of Merchants first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.
The financial technology landscape is evolving at a breathtaking pace, driven by innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology. Together, these two powerful technologies are reshaping how businesses and consumers make, process, and secure digital payments. From instant settlement to fraud prevention and predictive analytics, AI and blockchain are creating a new paradigm in digital finance.
Digital payments are no longer just about moving money from point A to point B. Today’s consumers demand speed, security, transparency, and personalization. Businesses seek efficiency, cost reduction, and compliance. AI and blockchain jointly address these demands, offering solutions that are scalable, secure, and intelligent. This blog explores why AI and blockchain are the future of digital payments, highlighting the benefits, use cases, and the transformative potential these technologies bring to the fintech ecosystem.
Artificial Intelligence refers to systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. In digital payments, AI powers:
Fraud detection and prevention: AI algorithms can analyze transaction patterns in real-time, identifying unusual behavior and flagging suspicious transactions.
Predictive analytics: AI can forecast spending behavior, payment trends, and cash flow, helping businesses plan and optimize financial operations.
Personalized experiences: AI-driven recommendations and smart financial assistants offer tailored payment solutions for users.
Automation: Routine tasks like payment reconciliation, invoicing, and risk assessment can be automated using AI-powered systems.
Blockchain is a decentralized ledger technology that records transactions in a secure, transparent, and immutable manner. Its impact on digital payments includes:
Decentralization: Eliminates the need for intermediaries, reducing costs and settlement times.
Security: Cryptographic protocols ensure transactions are tamper-proof and resistant to fraud.
Transparency: Every transaction is recorded on a distributed ledger, enhancing auditability.
Programmability: Smart contracts automate payment settlements and conditional transfers without manual intervention.
Fraud remains a major challenge in digital payments. According to industry reports, global payment fraud is expected to cost billions annually.
AI’s role: Machine learning algorithms detect anomalies in transaction patterns, account behaviors, and user activity. AI continuously learns from new data, improving accuracy in real-time.
Blockchain’s role: Decentralized ledgers provide tamper-proof records of transactions, reducing the risk of data breaches and fraudulent manipulations.
Combined, AI and blockchain create a multi-layered security framework: AI detects and predicts threats, while blockchain ensures that records cannot be altered or deleted.
Traditional banking systems often require days to settle cross-border transactions. Blockchain’s decentralized system enables near-instant settlement.
Smart contracts can automatically release funds once predetermined conditions are met.
AI algorithms optimize transaction routing, detect bottlenecks, and ensure smooth processing.
The result is speed, efficiency, and transparency, creating trust among users and businesses.
Payment processing often involves multiple intermediaries, each adding fees. Blockchain reduces the need for third parties, while AI minimizes operational inefficiencies.
✦Automated reconciliations and predictive cash-flow management reduce administrative costs.
✦Smart contracts automate escrow services, reducing the need for manual intervention and intermediaries.
By combining AI and blockchain, businesses can significantly cut costs while maintaining accuracy and security.
Digital payments are heavily regulated. AI and blockchain help organizations comply with KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and other regulatory standards.
✦AI can monitor transactions for compliance issues in real-time.
✦Blockchain provides an immutable audit trail, ensuring transparency for regulators.
Together, they streamline compliance while minimizing human error.
Cross-border payments traditionally involve multiple banks and clearinghouses, causing delays and high fees. Blockchain allows direct peer-to-peer settlement, while AI predicts currency fluctuations and recommends the best payment routes, reducing delays and costs.
AI-powered digital wallets can predict user behavior, offer personalized spending insights, and automatically manage funds. Blockchain ensures that wallet transactions are secure, transparent, and immutable. Together, they create a trusted and intelligent mobile payment ecosystem.
Financial institutions are increasingly using AI algorithms to detect fraudulent activities in real-time. By combining AI with blockchain’s immutable ledger, banks can verify transaction authenticity and reduce risks.
Blockchain enables programmable money through smart contracts. AI enhances these smart contracts by analyzing patterns, predicting defaults, and automating conditional payments. Use cases include subscription payments, escrow services, and B2B settlements.
Cryptocurrencies are gaining traction for digital payments. AI-powered trading bots can automate crypto conversion for payments, while blockchain ensures secure and transparent transactions.
AI can analyze user behavior to tailor rewards and loyalty programs. Blockchain tokenization ensures rewards are secure, transferable, and fraud-resistant.
Speed — Faster transaction settlements and real-time processing.
Security — Fraud prevention and tamper-proof records.
Transparency — Auditable transactions for businesses and regulators.
Cost Efficiency — Reduced intermediaries and operational expenses.
Intelligent Insights — Predictive analytics for better decision-making.
Personalization — Tailored user experiences and automated financial services.
Scalability — Efficient handling of high-volume transactions.
While AI and blockchain offer immense potential, there are challenges:
Integration complexity: Combining AI and blockchain into legacy systems requires expertise.
Data privacy: GDPR and other privacy regulations must be considered.
Scalability issues: High transaction volumes on some blockchain networks can slow performance.
Skill gap: Talent for blockchain + AI integration is limited.
Despite these challenges, careful planning, selecting the right platforms, and partnering with experienced providers can mitigate risks.
AI-driven Smart Payments — Autonomous payment systems that predict needs and optimize routes.
Tokenized Money and Assets — Blockchain-based digital currencies and asset-backed tokens.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) — Peer-to-peer financial systems bypassing traditional intermediaries.
Enhanced Fraud Prevention — Continuous AI learning combined with blockchain security.
Global Interoperability — Cross-chain payments facilitated by AI for efficiency.
The convergence of AI and blockchain will continue to transform the digital payment landscape, making transactions smarter, faster, and more secure.
The future of digital payments lies at the intersection of AI and blockchain. By combining intelligence, automation, and decentralization, these technologies address long-standing pain points in speed, cost, security, and compliance. Businesses, banks, and fintech innovators are already leveraging AI and blockchain to create smarter payment systems, predictive risk management, and personalized financial services.
Adopting AI and blockchain in digital payments is no longer optional — it is essential for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving financial ecosystem. Organizations that embrace these technologies today will lead the next generation of secure, efficient, and intelligent digital payments.
Why AI and Blockchain Are the Future of Digital Payments? was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
Bitcoin Magazine
Steak ’n Shake Launches First-Ever Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Steak ’n Shake is making history as the first major restaurant to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
All payments received in Bitcoin will now be added to their Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), marking a fun and major step into bitcoin adoption for the fast-food chain.
As part of the initiative, the company will donate 210 sats from every Bitcoin Meal sold to the Open Sats Initiative, Inc. over the next 12 months.
Customers who purchase and register their Bitcoin Steakburger through the Fold App will also receive $5 in free Bitcoin, with instructions provided on their receipts.
The move comes on the heels of a strong quarter, with same-store sales up 15% — outpacing all competitors — highlighting the growing impact of cryptocurrency engagement on the restaurant’s bottom line.
JUST IN: Fast food giant Steak 'n Shake announces its created a Strategic #Bitcoin Reserve
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) October 31, 2025
They're also donating to open source bitcoin development
Earlier today, the company and Fold Holdings launched a limited-time promotion at more than 1,200 Steak ’n Shake locations, letting customers earn $5 in bitcoin with their Bitcoin Meal or Bitcoin Steakburger.
Diners simply upload their receipt to bitcoinmealdeal.com, redeem a code through the Fold app, and instantly receive their reward.
The promotion marks the first U.S. restaurant menu item tied to bitcoin rewards, with the Bitcoin logo even stamped on the burger bun as a nod to mainstream adoption.
The campaign coincides with the 17th anniversary of the Bitcoin white paper and builds on Steak ’n Shake’s earlier adoption of Lightning Network payments.
Fold, which holds roughly 1,500 BTC, continues expanding its bitcoin rewards ecosystem.
At the Bitcoin 2025 Conference, Steak ‘n Shake executive Dan Edwards highlighted the company’s global adoption of Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network.
He noted that Bitcoin transactions immediately exceeded expectations, with one in every 500 global Bitcoin transactions occurring at Steak ‘n Shake on launch day
Edwards said that accepting Bitcoin reduced processing fees by 50%, benefiting both the company and customers.
He stressed that the initiative was a genuine payment upgrade, not a marketing stunt, and reported that customer behavior had shifted positively since implementation.
Steak ‘n Shake reported that customer behavior has already shifted. “We’ve seen a sustained spike since adding Bitcoin,” Edwards noted.
Edwards also teased the company’s future plans, calling for more technical talent. “We’re not done. We’re investing in cyber chefs, autonomous drives, AI tech — and we need engineers to help us build it.”
This post Steak ’n Shake Launches First-Ever Strategic Bitcoin Reserve first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.
Bitcoin Magazine
Steak ’n Shake Partners With Fold to Launch $5 Bitcoin Burger Reward
Fold Holdings (NASDAQ: FLD), the bitcoin rewards company known for letting users earn sats on everyday purchases, has teamed up with iconic fast-food chain Steak ’n Shake for a limited-time promotion that lets customers earn $5 in bitcoin with their meal.
Starting today, Steak ’n Shake diners who order a Bitcoin Meal or Bitcoin Steakburger at one of the 1,200+ participating Steak ’n Shake locations can visit bitcoinmealdeal.com, upload their receipt, and receive a code redeemable for $5 in bitcoin through the Fold app.
Once the Fold app is downloaded and activated, the reward is instantly credited. The partnership marks the first time a U.S. restaurant chain has paired a menu item with bitcoin rewards, blending food, finance, and pop culture in a single bite.
Even the bun carries a message: it’s stamped with a Bitcoin logo, a subtle but unmistakable symbol of how far the orange coin has traveled into mainstream consciousness.
“Bitcoin goes mainstream when it starts showing up in everyday life,” said Fold Chairman and CEO Will Reeves in a note to Bitcoin Magazine. “That’s been our vision from the beginning, and our promotion with Steak ’n Shake is the next step in that journey. For many people, this will be the first time they ever own bitcoin — and it’ll come from something as ordinary as grabbing a burger.”
For Steak ’n Shake, the partnership deepens its ongoing relationship with the Bitcoin community.
Earlier this year, the 90-year-old chain rolled out Lightning Network payments across all U.S. locations, allowing customers to pay for meals using bitcoin with instant, low-fee transactions.
The company even sparked headlines when it publicly scrapped plans to accept Ethereum, declaring its “allegiance” to Bitcoiners.
Now, it’s taking that loyalty a step further.
“Steak ’n Shake has never been afraid to take a bold position, and putting bitcoin on the menu is the latest example,” said Sardar Biglari, CEO of Steak ’n Shake. “Bitcoin is rewriting the rules of culture and commerce, and we want our guests to be part of that future every time they sit down for a meal.”
Fold, which went public earlier this year through a SPAC merger, currently holds roughly 1,500 BTC in its corporate treasury — valued near $160 million — and maintains a market cap just under $200 million.
The company recently launched a bitcoin rewards Visa card powered by Stripe and continues to expand its product suite bridging traditional finance and Bitcoin-native tools.
The campaign — launching today, a date that coincidentally marks the 17th anniversary of the Bitcoin white paper — runs nationwide while supplies last. For both companies, it’s a symbolic nod to Bitcoin’s evolution from white paper to burger wrapper.
This post Steak ’n Shake Partners With Fold to Launch $5 Bitcoin Burger Reward first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.
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