Bitcoin adoption is an evolving conversation and while general adoption of cryptocurrencies is low today, the low base indicates there’s plenty of growth ahead.
One way to bolster Bitcoin’s mainstream credibility is for it to become a more readily accepted form of payment for everyday events, tasks, and leisure activities, such as dining out. In this fashion, the billionaire behind a well-known restaurant empire says his eateries are ready to take crypto as payment.
In an interview with CNBC earlier this week, Tilman Fertitta said restaurants under his Landry’s umbrella will soon be accepting Bitcoin. In fact, some already are.
“We’ll have it, probably, within all of our restaurant brands — or 80% to 90% — in the next 90 days, where you don’t have to use a Mastercard or Visa or American Express anymore. You can use bitcoin or other digital currencies,” Fertitta said.
Some locations of Mastro’s, the ritzy steakhouse brand owned by Landry’s, are already accepting Bitcoin, said Fertitta, who also owns the NBA’s Houston Rockets.
“Fertitta’s comments Tuesday come roughly three weeks after billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso’s eponymous firm unveiled plans to accept bitcoin as rent payment at its residential and retail properties. Tesla allowed customers to buy its electric vehicles using bitcoin earlier this year,” according to CNBC.
The Rockets and Fertitta’s luxury car dealership in Houston are also taking Bitcoin as payment.
The Landry’s news arrives the same week that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Sean Culkin said he will become the first player in the league to convert his entire yearly salary to the largest cryptocurrency.
“I fully believe Bitcoin is the future of finance and I wanted to prove that I have real skin in the game — not just trying to make a quick buck. I will be converting my entire 2021 NFL salary to #Bitcoin,” he said in a tweet posted Monday.
As for Fertitta and Bitcoin, it’s not yet clear if Golden Nugget Online Gaming (NASDAQ: GNOG) or his land-based Golden Nugget casinos will eventually accept Bitcoin.
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The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.