1) Merchant & Enterprise Adoption
Adoption is becoming an operational standard. We are seeing a move toward Bitcoin-only commerce environments and structured employee compensation.
- Steak ’n Shake: The burger giant is moving beyond just accepting Bitcoin—they are now paying it. Starting March 1st, hourly staff receive a Bitcoin bonus for every hour worked.
- Berlín, El Salvador: Preparing for a total "MOE Experience"—a 100% Bitcoin-only environment (Feb 2–4). No fiat, no plastic, just sats.
2) Payment Infrastructure & Tooling
Scaling is no longer just about the base layer; it’s about the integrators. With MoneyBadger enabling BTC at over 700,000 locations, Bitcoin is becoming a standard checkout option in South Africa.
Blink Feature Spotlight: BTCAndres showcased the new Blink Donation Button, a seamless way for anyone to start accepting sats with zero friction.
3) Usage Metrics
Real-world spend isn't a theory anymore. Pick n Pay’s reported R1.4m monthly spend is a massive benchmark for retail Lightning adoption.
4) Regulatory & Policy Obstacles
Frank Corva highlighted a critical reality: Bitcoiners in the US and Canada must fight for de minimis exemptions. Without these, buying coffee remains a complex tax event.
5) Strategic Outlook: The Circular Economy
To see what this looks like in practice, look no further than Bitcoin Ekasi in South Africa—an inspiring glimpse into the future.
