With this latest acquisition, Smarter Web’s total Bitcoin holdings have reached 773.58 BTC. The company’s average acquisition price now stands at £78,022 ($107,015), bringing its total BTC investment to over $82.6 million.

Smarter Web’s 10-Year Plan: Bitcoin-Focused Corporate Growth

Smarter Web launched its “10-Year Plan” in April, outlining an ambitious Digital Asset Treasury Policy aimed at supporting long-term business value through Bitcoin accumulation. The firm views Bitcoin as a critical component of future corporate growth and financial resilience.

Currently, Smarter Web holds approximately £38 million (about $52.3 million) in cash, which it may use for additional Bitcoin purchases in the near future.

$62 Million Raised in New Funding Round

The company also disclosed that it had raised roughly £45 million ($62 million) through accelerated bookbuilds and subscription offerings. This fundraising diluted existing shareholders by about 9%.

Following the funding round, CEO Andrew Webley and his family now hold an 11.3% stake in the company.

Accepting Bitcoin Payments Since 2023

Smarter Web began accepting Bitcoin payments back in 2023. The firm believes that Bitcoin plays a central role in the future of the global financial system and plans to support its strategy through both organic growth and potential acquisitions.

UK Bitcoin Adoption Accelerates

Smarter Web’s latest move comes amid a growing wave of Bitcoin adoption among UK-listed firms. Several small-cap companies on exchanges like Aquis have recently announced Bitcoin purchases or future intentions to add the asset to their balance sheets.

Notable examples include Tao Alpha, which plans to raise £100 million ($137 million) for its Bitcoin initiative, as well as Panther Metals, Bluebird Mining Ventures, and Vinanz, all of which have revealed funding rounds or purchases aimed at BTC accumulation.

This trend highlights the rising institutional confidence in Bitcoin across the UK’s corporate sector.

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A New Era of Bitcoin Payments

Back in March, the company had already sparked speculation by asking followers whether it should accept Bitcoin as a payment option. The post gained traction within the crypto community, with notable figures like Jack Dorsey responding with support.

Since then, Steak ‘n Shake has embraced crypto culture in its marketing, running Bitcoin-themed promotions, Tesla giveaways, and sharing visual teasers that hinted at a shift toward digital payments.

Fast Food Meets Crypto: A Growing Movement

Steak ‘n Shake’s adoption of Bitcoin marks a notable shift, as few restaurant chains have fully integrated crypto payments beyond small-scale trials. This move places it among a select group of fast food brands embracing digital currencies on a broader level.

Others in the industry have also taken similar steps. Since 2022, Chipotle has allowed payments in nearly 100 different cryptocurrencies—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana—through Flexa’s platform.

Subway was among the first to explore Bitcoin payments, launching a pilot program in select stores as early as 2013. KFC Canada briefly offered a “Bitcoin Bucket” promotion in 2018, and McDonald’s began accepting Bitcoin in Lugano, Switzerland, through a localized crypto initiative.

Burger King has also experimented with crypto payments and gift cards in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Venezuela. More recently, Donald Trump made headlines by buying burgers with Bitcoin at a New York venue in September. Pizza Hut in El Salvador started accepting BTC after the country declared it legal tender in 2021.

Bitcoin and Fast Food: A Symbolic Connection

The relationship between fast food and Bitcoin goes back to the legendary Bitcoin Pizza Day, when Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas on May 22, 2010. At the time, the transaction was worth just $40—today, it would be valued in the billions.

Steak ‘n Shake’s latest move adds a new chapter to that history. By enabling Bitcoin payments, the chain not only expands its customer options but also contributes to making crypto a part of everyday life.

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Bitcoin Payment at Checkout

The payment system has also been featured on BTC Map, a platform that lists businesses accepting BTC payments. DFX Swiss, a Switzerland-based payment firm managing the process, announced on April 17:

“This Spar location is one of the first supermarkets where you can pay directly at the checkout using Bitcoin. Thanks to our new #OpenCryptoPay solution, you can now make BTC payments through LNURL.”

The OpenCryptoPay system is an open-source P2P payment standard developed for in-person cryptocurrency transactions.

Switzerland Leading in Crypto Payments

Switzerland has long been considered one of the most crypto-friendly countries in Europe. In 2023, the city of Lugano began accepting Bitcoin and Tether (USDT) for all municipal payments.

According to BTC Map data, there are currently 1,013 stores and businesses in Switzerland accepting Bitcoin payments.

Major Retail Chain Expands into Crypto Payments

Spar, a global supermarket chain with over 13,900 stores in 48 countries, serves approximately 14.7 million customers daily. By introducing Bitcoin as a payment option, the company is helping to further establish cryptocurrency legitimacy on a global scale.

Seamless Bitcoin Payment via QR Code

One of the biggest criticisms in the crypto world is the complexity of user experience. However, the system at the Spar store in Zug challenges this notion. Rahim Taghizadegan, director of Bitcoin Association Switzerland, explained the payment process on April 16:

“Simply scan a static QR code, send the sats, and the cashier immediately registers the payment. If enough demand exists, it could be rolled out nationwide.”

Taghizadegan mentioned using Phoenix Wallet for the Lightning Network, but noted that other wallets also work seamlessly.

Switzerland’s Growing Blockchain Ecosystem

Switzerland’s blockchain ecosystem, known as Crypto Valley, saw a 55% growth in 2024, reaching a valuation of $593 billion. Among the 50 regional companies, 17 have reached unicorn status, valued at over $1 billion.

Prominent projects within Crypto Valley include Ethereum, Cardano, and the Casper blockchain.

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