Bitcoin News Today: Shawarma Chain Bets Big on Bitcoin to Hedge Against Fiat’s Decline

Generated by AI AgentCoin World
Tuesday, Sep 2, 2025 8:52 pm ET1min read
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Aime RobotAime Summary

- Tahini’s, a Canadian shawarma chain, has consistently bought Bitcoin since August 2020 to hedge against fiat depreciation and inflation.

- Founders Omar, Aly, and Ahmed Hamam prioritized Bitcoin amid pandemic-driven economic uncertainty, despite Warren Buffett’s criticism.

- The chain advocates for Bitcoin adoption, urging Canada to recognize it as legal tender and install Bitcoin ATMs at locations.

- Public Bitcoin purchases and U.S. expansion reflect its long-term strategy, aligning with corporate trends in digital asset investment.

Tahini’s, a Canadian shawarma chain known for its Middle Eastern cuisine, has been consistently purchasing

Bitcoin
since August 2020, according to multiple reports. The Hamam brothers—Omar, Aly, and Ahmed—who founded the chain in 2012, began allocating excess cash to Bitcoin amid economic uncertainty caused by the global pandemic and concerns over fiat currency depreciation due to government stimulus measures [1]. This decision was made despite Warren Buffett’s public criticism of Bitcoin, which he has previously referred to as “rat poison.”

The chain’s adoption of Bitcoin mirrors strategies taken by other major corporations such as MicroStrategy and

Tesla
, which also began accumulating the cryptocurrency around the same time [1]. The Hamam brothers have cited Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a strategic investment to preserve their capital. In 2022, Aly Hamam further pushed for institutional adoption by recommending to Canada’s House of Commons Finance Committee that the government recognize Bitcoin as legal tender and purchase $10 billion in Bitcoin [1].

Tahini’s has also integrated Bitcoin into its business operations beyond just investment. The chain now accepts Bitcoin payments at select locations and has installed a Bitcoin ATM within one of its restaurants, reinforcing its branding as a business operating on the “Bitcoin standard” [1]. While the company does not disclose the total amount of Bitcoin it holds, it regularly announces new purchases on the X platform [2].

On September 2, 2024, Tahini’s announced another Bitcoin purchase, coinciding with the opening of its 65th restaurant and the announcement of its first U.S. location [1]. This continued investment in Bitcoin reflects the chain’s long-term strategy and confidence in the cryptocurrency’s value proposition, despite its price volatility.

The company’s embrace of Bitcoin is part of a broader trend among businesses seeking to diversify their asset holdings and leverage the advantages of digital currencies. Tahini’s has positioned itself as a pioneer in the retail food industry by integrating Bitcoin into both its investment portfolio and payment systems. This approach has reportedly supported the company’s expansion across Canada and beyond.

Tahini’s does not reveal exact figures for its Bitcoin holdings, citing the need to maintain a long-term strategy and avoid potential market manipulation. However, the chain’s public commitment to Bitcoin aligns with broader macroeconomic trends and corporate investment strategies observed in the digital asset space.

Source:

[1] This Canadian shawarma chain has been buying Bitcoin since COVID — despite Warren Buffett’s warning (https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/canadian-chain-bought-bitcoin-since-covid-despite-warren-buffetts-warning)

[2] Canadian restaurant chain Tahini's announced an ... (https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/d664ea52-1a8f-4a84-a536-37304f3e189f)