Chipotle Enters the Crypto Scene
The popular Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle has made waves in the digital world by partnering with Flexa to accept cryptocurrency payments across all 2,950 U.S. locations. Imagine paying for that delicious burrito with Bitcoin instead of your hard-earned cash! Now, that’s a spicy transaction!
A Digital Currency Buffet
With this exciting collaboration, Chipotle is open to a smorgasbord of payment options. Customers can use any of the 98 cryptocurrencies supported by Flexa, including heavy hitters like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), along with stablecoins like USD Coin (USDC). Just think: you could order a burrito bowl while simultaneously investing in Bitcoin. Multi-tasking just got a whole lot tastier!
When Chipotle Played with Crypto
Chipotle’s foray into the crypto sphere isn’t brand new. Back in April 2021, the chain celebrated National Burrito Day by giving away $100,000 in Bitcoin, making them the first U.S. restaurant to host such a giveaway. They even set up a fun game where players had a shot at either a burrito or a chance to win a whopping $25,000 worth of Bitcoin, all inspired by the infamous story of a former engineer who lost thousands of dollars worth of BTC due to a forgotten password. Who knew Crypto could be so relatable?
Fast Food & Financial Future: A Trend?
Chipotle isn’t the only fast-food giant experimenting in the digital currency kitchen. Burger King has teamed with Robinhood to hand out free Dogecoin with meal purchases, while McDonald’s has filed trademarks for a virtual restaurant in the Metaverse. Apparently, while some are enjoying their fries, others are gearing up to serve up virtual hamburgers!
The Bigger Picture: Crypto Adoption
As crypto usage crescendos in the U.S., it’s interesting to note that a recent survey shows a mere 4% of merchants accept crypto payments. However, nearly 60% expressed interest in hopping on the crypto train in the near future. The hospitality sector appears to be lagging, though—only about 25% of industry players are keen on adopting these new transaction methods. Perhaps they’re too busy cooking up the latest menu item or mastering the art of the perfect taco to think about Bitcoin!
