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All 300+ UU locations included in the launch. Starbucks.

Chipotle uses cryptocurrencies turned into Fiat.

Venezuela and El Salvador show mixed results.

Bitcoin is about to face one of his most practical tests so far.

The American fast food chain Steak ‘N Shake announced which will begin to accept the largest cryptocurrency in the world in all its locations in the United States as of May 16.

With more than 300 points of sale and more than 100 million customers per year, the launch positions Steak ‘N Shake as an important actor in the impulse to normalize cryptocurrencies in everyday transactions.

The decision also occurs at a time when conventional retailers are under pressure to modernize payment systems.

For Bitcoin, which for a long time has been seen as a reserve of value than as a gas currency, the association presents an opportunity in the real world to demonstrate its usefulness, particularly in a retail and high speed retail environment that will challenge its scalability and efficiency.

Narrow margins, high volume

Fast food chains depend on speed, volume and efficiency to remain profitable.

Unlike high -end retail trade, where large margins allow to experiment with alternative payment methods, companies such as Steak ‘N Shake should ensure that any change in the system is reliable and profitable.

Bitcoin’s integration, therefore, becomes more than a trick: it is a stress test to determine how well the cryptocurrency can work under retailer pressure.

The announcement was Moving object in March With an X (formerly Twitter) publication, where Steak ‘N Shake asked his followers if he should accept Bitcoin. That publication caught the attention of high profile figures, including the former Twitter CEO, Jack DORSEY.

The company He continued With cryptocurrency theme marketing, including a tweet that referred to Elon Musk’s ambitions on Mars and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vocal support both Bitcoin and the Seb of Res.

Past attempts and pilots

The next launch differs from the previous and limited experiments of other food chains.

Starbucks enabled BTC wallet recharges in 2021 through the Bakkt application, although the cryptocurrency became dollars before reaching the box.

Chipotle began accepting more than 90 cryptocurrencies in 2022, including Bitcoin, Ether and Solana, through flexa, again with automatic conversion to fiduciary currency.

Subway was one of the first fast food chains to test payments with Bitcoin in 2013 in selected franchises.

Although some stores in cities with cryptographic trends later revived the initiative, there was no national implementation.

Global launches and legal tender

Outside the US, the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the retail food trade has generally responded to local economic pressures.

In Venezuela, Burger King briefly accepted Bitcoin and other digital assets in 2020 through an association with the Latin American Platform Cryptobuyer.

However, this had a limited range and lasted little.

El Salvador went further by declaring Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.

Great brands such as Pizza Hut and Starbucks quickly offered payments with cryptocurrencies in the country.

Despite the fanfare, national use has remained low, and some reports cite infrastructure gaps and inconsistent user experiences.

Native crypto or Fiat?

Steak ‘N Shake has not yet confirmed whether Bitcoin will process or will make it Fiat at the end of the purchase.

Previous retail integrations have mainly favored instant conversion tools to manage volatility.

The answer could define whether this deployment represents a genuine adoption in the chain or simply another alternative solution.

If the launch is successful, it could incite other national chains to reassess payments with cryptocurrencies.

If it fails, you can reinforce doubts about the use of Bitcoin in daily trade.