Bitcoin News Today: Bite into Bitcoin: Fast Food's $5 Crypto Reward Drives Mainstream Shift

Steak 'n Shake has partnered with Bitcoin rewards platform Fold Holdings (NASDAQ: FLD) to launch a limited-time promotion offering customers $5 in Bitcoin for purchasing the chain's Bitcoin-themed burger or meal. The initiative, announced on October 31, 2025, marks another step in the fast-food giant's integration of cryptocurrency into its customer experience, according to a Yahoo Finance article. Customers can visit bitcoinmealdeal.com, upload a receipt for the Bitcoin Burger or Meal, and redeem a unique code via the Fold app for the $5 Bitcoin reward, The Block reported. The promotion is available at approximately 400 U.S. locations and is limited to one redemption per customer, according to Yahoo Finance.

The collaboration aligns with Fold's broader strategy to normalize Bitcoin as a part of everyday life. "Bitcoin goes mainstream when it starts showing up in everyday life," said Fold CEO Will Reeves, emphasizing that this promotion could be many customers' first foray into owning cryptocurrency, as reported by The Block. Fold, which went public in 2025 through a merger with FTAC Emerald Acquisition Corp., has been expanding its financial services, including a Visa-powered debit card and a recently launched Bitcoin rewards credit card, according to The Block. The company also secured a $250 million equity purchase facility in June 2025 to bolster its corporate Bitcoin treasury, which currently holds around 1,500 BTC, The Block reported.

Steak 'n Shake's Bitcoin-themed menu items, featuring a Bitcoin logo on the burger bun, were first introduced in May 2025. At that time, the chain expanded global payment options to include Bitcoin transactions via the Lightning Network, according to the Yahoo Finance article. The Halloween-themed promotion builds on this foundation, offering a tangible reward to incentivize adoption. The campaign also draws historical parallels, as Donald Trump made his first Bitcoin purchase in September 2024 by buying cheeseburgers at a Bitcoin-themed New York bar, The Block reported.

For Fold, the partnership underscores its mission to bridge traditional finance and digital assets. The company's app allows users to earn Bitcoin on everyday purchases and has previously integrated with major retailers like Amazon, according to The Block. With a market capitalization near $200 million, Fold aims to leverage such collaborations to drive mainstream adoption, The Block added.