On March 7, 2025, the American fast-food chain Steak 'n Shake posted a simple question on X (formerly Twitter): “Should Steak ‘n Shake accept bitcoin?” The seemingly casual poll quickly rippled through the cryptocurrency community, drawing public responses from several heavyweight figures, including former Twitter CEO and long-time Bitcoin advocate Jack Dorsey, as well as Bitcoin Core contributor Luke Dashjr. This overture has reignited expectations for large-scale cryptocurrency payment adoption by mainstream dining enterprises.
Jack Dorsey and Bitcoin Core Developer Weigh In
Jack Dorsey’s reply was particularly noteworthy. As the founder of Square (now Block), Dorsey has been one of Bitcoin’s most steadfast supporters, with his companies holding substantial BTC and offering related payment services. He directly expressed support under Steak 'n Shake's post and hinted at possible technical collaboration if the chain moves forward. Meanwhile, Bitcoin Core contributor Luke Dashjr commented from a technical standpoint, emphasizing the low-fee advantages of the Lightning Network. These endorsements from industry leaders quickly elevated the message from a routine opinion poll to a major crypto event.
Political Alignment: Ties to Trump, RFK, and Mars Colonization
Notably, Steak 'n Shake has recently aligned itself with pro-crypto political forces in the United States. Reports indicate that the brand has built connections with the Trump administration and particularly with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK), a known Bitcoin enthusiast and a lover of beef tallow. On March 13, the chain posted an image of a futuristic cargo freighter prominently displaying the Bitcoin logo, tagged with “delivering beef tallow on Mars.” The imagery clearly pays homage to both RFK (beef tallow) and billionaire Elon Musk (Mars colonization), who also influences Bitcoin's perception. These actions suggest that Steak 'n Shake is deliberately crafting a pro-cryptocurrency brand identity.
Potential Impact: A Payment Revolution Covering Over 100 Million Customers
If Steak 'n Shake ultimately rolls out full Bitcoin payment support across its more than 1,200 locations, over 100 million customers globally could buy burgers and milkshakes directly with BTC. This would dramatically expand Bitcoin’s real-world utility and may prompt other fast-food chains to follow suit. While a few merchants currently accept crypto via third-party processors, direct integration by a major chain remains rare. Steak 'n Shake’s trial balloon could become a significant milestone for cryptocurrency adoption in 2025.
Market observers note that Steak 'n Shake has previously hinted at introducing Bitcoin payments but never followed through. The high engagement in this vote, together with enthusiastic responses from industry stalwarts, may accelerate the company’s decision-making. The Bitcoin community generally remains optimistic, arguing that support from a traditional fast-food giant would send a powerful signal to Wall Street about the growing legitimacy of digital assets.