Bitcoin News Today: Steak 'n Shake Chooses Bitcoin Loyalty Over Crypto Expansion

Steak 'n Shake's abrupt reversal on a proposed Ether (ETH) payment option has ignited a fierce debate within the cryptocurrency community, underscoring deep-seated tribalism between Bitcoin and Ethereum supporters. The fast-food chain, which began accepting Bitcoin (BTC) in May, suspended a public poll to expand crypto payments to ETH after just four hours due to intense backlash from Bitcoin maximalists. The poll, which garnered 48,815 votes with 53% in favor of ETH, was scrapped as critics accused the company of betraying its Bitcoin-first ethos.

The decision drew immediate condemnation from prominent Bitcoin advocates. Adam Simecka, creator of the Manna self-custody wallet, vowed to boycott the chain if it adopted ETH, stating, "I promise, if you accept ETH, I will never eat at your restaurant again." Colleen, known as "The Bitcoin Gal" on X, called the poll "disappointing," while developer Carman argued it damaged the brand's reputation. Steak 'n Shake's official response-"Poll suspended. Our allegiance is with Bitcoiners. You have spoken"-reflected its alignment with the community that has driven a 15% year-on-year rise in same-store sales since adopting BTC.

The controversy also attracted unexpected praise from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who defended the company's decision to prioritize Bitcoin. "Not every business needs to find as many customers as possible in the name of being neutral," he tweeted. Buterin emphasized the importance of "stubborn" businesses that "believe in their cause and their tribe," framing the move as principled rather than pragmatic. This stance contrasted with Bitcoin maximalists, who view BTC as the only "sound money," echoing Michael Saylor's assertion that "there is no second-best crypto asset."

The episode highlights the growing influence of crypto communities in shaping corporate strategy. Steak 'n Shake's sales surge-partially attributed to Bitcoin adopters-has made it a lightning rod for debates over payment standards. Bitcoin's Lightning Network, which processes transactions in sub-seconds with minimal fees, is often cited as superior to Ethereum's higher-cost, slower mainnet for retail transactions. Meanwhile, Ethereum supporters argue that broader adoption requires flexibility, but Buterin's endorsement suggests even ETH's camp respects a company's right to "stay loyal" to its core audience.

The backlash mirrors wider tensions in the crypto space. As of 2025, global Bitcoin adoption exceeds 500 million users, with countries like India, Nigeria, and Argentina leading per capita adoption. Yet, Bitcoin's ideological purity remains a touchstone for many, particularly in emerging markets where it is seen as a hedge against inflation. Steak 'n Shake's pivot reinforces how brands must navigate not just technical or regulatory hurdles, but also the cultural capital of crypto tribes.

With the company set to launch a "Bitcoin Steakburger" on October 16, the incident underscores that crypto adoption is as much about identity as utility. For now, Bitcoin's fervent community holds significant sway-proving that in the digital age, loyalty can still drive both business and belief.

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Source: [1] Steak 'N Shake U-Turns on ETH Payment Idea - Cointelegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/steak-n-shake-u-turns-eth-payments)

[2] Steak 'n Shake May Abandon Ether Payment Plans After Pushback ... (https://en.coinotag.com/steak-n-shake-may-abandon-ether-payment-plans-after-pushback-from-bitcoin-community/)

[3] Steak 'n Shake quickly U-turns as Ether poll angers Bitcoiners (https://www.tradingview.com/news/cointelegraph:d88938809094b:0-steak-n-shake-quickly-u-turns-as-ether-poll-angers-bitcoiners/)

[4] Vitalik Buterin "Respects" Steak 'n Shake's Decision Not to Adopt ... (https://coinedition.com/vitalik-buterin-respects-steak-n-shakes-decision-not-to-adopt-eth-for-payments/)

[5] Bitcoin adoption by country: Who's leading and who's ... (https://cointelegraph.com/learn/articles/bitcoin-adoption-by-country)

[6] The Chainalysis 2025 Global Adoption Index (https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/2025-global-crypto-adoption-index/)

[7] Vitalik Buterin Defends Steak n Shake's Focus on Bitcoin (https://dapp.expert/news/vitalik-buterin-defends-steak-n-shakes-focus-on-bitcoin-1760330425-458156)