• Businesses can now accept over 100 cryptocurrencies with near-instant conversions.
• Pay with Crypto reduces transaction costs by up to 90%.
• US merchants are now connected to a $4T market and over 650M crypto users

Indeed, the latest stablecoin regulation in the United States was a game-changer.

Besides bolstering bullish momentum, the GENIUS Act has seen many firms stepping deeper into the future of fintech.

To support the increasing cryptocurrency adoption, PayPal has rolled out Pay with Crypto.

The new product will allow US-based merchants to accept payments in over 100 different coins, including stablecoins, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.

PayPal has launched “Pay with Crypto,” enabling U.S. merchants to accept over 100 cryptocurrencies—including BTC, ETH, USDT, and SOL—with near-instant conversion to fiat or stablecoins and a low 0.99% transaction fee. pic.twitter.com/4Gi3cA2Dv4

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) July 28, 2025

The best part. Businesses can automatically convert the received tokens to stablecoin or fiat with a 0.99% transaction fee.

The new feature reduces the costs traditionally linked to cross-border transactions.

Most businesses that operate internationally suffer from high fees, complex banking requirements, and delays.

PayPal aims to solve this through a smoother payment process.

It also unlocks global growth with a borderless customer base.

PayPal CEO and President Alex Chriss says:

Businesses of all sizes face incredible pressure when growing globally, from increased costs for accepting international payments to complex integrations. Today, we’re removing these barriers and helping every business of every size achieve its goals.

Solving the international payment crisis

Businesses globally lose billions yearly through international payment models.

Delayed settlements, unpredictable exchange rates, and credit card fees have dented global trade.

That is where Pay with Crypto comes in.

PayPal introduces instant crypto-to-stablecoin or fiat conversion in an already colossal financial infrastructure.
Furthermore, merchants will not have to worry about the technical side of digital asset transactions.

PayPal promises to handle everything, including minimizing volatility, to ensure simplicity without compromising speed and security.
Also, merchants can use PayPal’s Pay with Crypto to increase their profit margins.

For instance, they will enjoy up to 90% lower processing fees compared to credit cards.

Also, businesses that hold their funds as PYUSD (PayPal’s stablecoin) will earn rewards.

Chriss added:

Imagine a shopper in Guatemala buying a special gift from a merchant in Oklahoma City. Using PayPal’s open platform, the business can accept crypto, pay lower fees, and grow their business – all in one simple step.

What’s next?

All merchants in the US will access PayPal’s Pay with Crypto feature in the coming weeks, allowing them to receive payments in over 100 supported digital tokens.

Businesses can link with trusted wallets like Coinbase, Exodus, OKX, and MetaMask to enjoy instant conversion from crypto to stablecoins like USDT or fiat.

United States citizens will soon use digital currencies like ETH, BTC, and SOL to pay for goods and services.

Meanwhile, PayPal is establishing itself as a pioneer amid growing crypto adoption.

Recently, it integrated with Arbitrum to support PYUSD growth.

Moreover, OKX tapped PayPal to simplify cryptocurrency purchases across Europe.

These developments come as digital currencies gain ground in the financial landscape.

The global crypto market cap hovers at $3.93 trillion after correcting from recent highs above $4 trillion.

• All 300+ US locations included in launch. Starbucks.
• Chipotle use fiat-converted crypto.
• Venezuela and El Salvador show mixed results.

Bitcoin is about to face one of its most practical tests yet.

American fast-food chain Steak ‘n Shake announced that it will begin accepting the world’s largest cryptocurrency at all of its US locations starting 16 May.

With more than 300 outlets and over 100 million customers annually, the rollout positions Steak ‘n Shake as a major player in the push to normalise crypto in everyday transactions.

The decision also comes at a time when mainstream retailers are under pressure to modernise payment systems.

For Bitcoin, long seen more as a store of value than a spendable currency, the partnership presents a real-world opportunity to demonstrate its utility—particularly in a low-margin, high-speed retail setting that will challenge its scalability and efficiency.

Thin margins, high volume

Fast food chains rely on speed, volume, and efficiency to remain profitable.

Unlike high-end retail, where large margins allow room to experiment with alternative payment methods, companies like Steak ‘n Shake must ensure any system change is reliable and cost-effective.

Bitcoin’s integration, therefore, becomes more than a gimmick—it is a stress test for how well the cryptocurrency can perform under retail pressure.

The announcement was teased in March with a post on X (formerly Twitter), where Steak ‘n Shake asked followers whether it should accept Bitcoin. That post drew attention from high-profile figures, including former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.

The company followed up with crypto-themed marketing, including a tweet referencing Elon Musk’s Mars ambitions and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vocal support for both Bitcoin and beef tallow.

Past attempts and pilots

The upcoming rollout differs from earlier, limited experiments by other food chains.

Starbucks enabled BTC wallet top-ups in 2021 through the Bakkt app, though the crypto was converted to dollars before reaching the till.

Chipotle began accepting over 90 cryptocurrencies in 2022, including Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana, through Flexa—again with automatic conversion to fiat currency.

Subway was one of the first fast food chains to test Bitcoin payments back in 2013 at select franchises.

Although some stores in crypto-forward cities later revived the initiative, there was no national implementation.

Global rollouts and legal tender

Outside the US, crypto adoption in food retail has typically responded to local economic pressures.

In Venezuela, Burger King briefly accepted Bitcoin and other digital assets in 2020 via a partnership with Latin American platform Cryptobuyer.

However, this was limited in scope and short-lived.

El Salvador went further by declaring Bitcoin legal tender in 2021.

Major brands like Pizza Hut and Starbucks quickly offered crypto payments in the country.

Despite the fanfare, national usage has remained low, with some reports citing infrastructure gaps and inconsistent user experiences.

Native crypto or fiat?

Steak ‘n Shake has yet to confirm whether it will process Bitcoin natively or convert it to fiat at checkout.

Previous retail integrations have mostly favoured instant conversion tools to manage volatility.

The answer could define whether this rollout represents genuine on-chain adoption or simply another workaround.

If the rollout succeeds, it could prompt other national chains to reassess crypto payments.

If it fails, it may reinforce doubts about Bitcoin’s use in everyday commerce.