Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoiners' Voice Shapes Steak 'n Shake's Payment Choice

Steak 'n Shake, the Chicago-based fast-food chain, has suspended a public poll to accept Ethereum (ETH) payments after intense criticism from Bitcoin maximalists, opting instead to reaffirm its commitment to Bitcoin (BTC) as its sole cryptocurrency option. The decision, announced via X (formerly Twitter), followed a 53% "yes" vote in favor of ETH adoption from 48,815 participants. The company cited the need to align with its Bitcoin-supporting customer base, stating, "Our allegiance is with Bitcoiners. You have spoken."

The backlash from Bitcoin enthusiasts was swift and vocal. Prominent figures like Bitcoin wallet developer Adam Simecka and advocate The Bitcoin Gal criticized the poll, with Simecka vowing to stop patronizing the chain if ETH were accepted. Meanwhile, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin praised Steak 'n Shake's reversal, calling it a "good decision" and emphasizing the importance of businesses sticking to their principles rather than chasing broader appeal. Buterin argued that "not every business needs to find as many customers as possible in the name of being neutral," highlighting the value of "stubborn" loyalty to core beliefs.

Steak 'n Shake's pivot underscores the growing tribalism within the cryptocurrency community. Bitcoin maximalists, who view BTC as the only legitimate digital currency, have long resisted efforts to integrate altcoins like ETH into mainstream commerce. This ideological divide has intensified as businesses explore crypto payments, with companies like Steak 'n Shake navigating the tension between innovation and brand loyalty. The fast-food chain, which began accepting Bitcoin in May 2025, reported a 15% year-on-year rise in same-store sales, partially attributing the growth to Bitcoin adopters.

The episode also reflects broader challenges in crypto adoption for traditional retailers. While Ethereum's blockchain remains popular for decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contracts, Bitcoin's Lightning Network has proven more practical for everyday transactions, offering sub-second settlement times and minimal fees. Steak 'n Shake's existing BTC infrastructure, which processed over 120,000 transactions since May 2025, further solidified its decision to prioritize Bitcoin.

Industry analysts note that public sentiment can heavily influence corporate crypto strategies. "Businesses must weigh community expectations against operational goals," said one expert, adding that Steak 'n Shake's move could deter other retailers from exploring multi-crypto payment options. The company's upcoming "Bitcoin Steakburger" launch on October 16-celebrating its BTC integration-signals a continued focus on Bitcoin-centric branding.

As the crypto landscape evolves, the debate over which digital assets deserve retail adoption will likely persist. For now, Steak 'n Shake's allegiance to Bitcoin highlights the power of community-driven commerce in the crypto era.

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Source: [1] Steak n Shake ETH Payments Poll Suspended Amid Backlash (https://www.economijournal.com/steak-n-shake-eth-payments-poll-suspended-amid-backlash/)

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

[3] 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/)

[4] Steak 'n Shake Suspends ETH Poll, Declares Allegiance to Bitcoin ... (https://allcom.se/2025/10/12/steak-n-shake-suspends-eth-poll-declares-allegiance-to-bitcoin-vitalik-buterin-backs-decision/)

[5] Vitalik Buterin Confirms Support for Steak 'n Shake's ETH Payment ... (https://coinfomania.com/vitalik-buterin-supports-steak-n-shake-eth-payment-pause/)

[9] 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/)

[10] Bitcoin Community Pushes Back – Vitalik Supports Steak 'n Shake ... (https://cryptojist.com/vitalik-bitcoin-community-backlash-eth-payment-pause-steak-n-shake/)