Las Vegas Enterprises Abandon Credit Card Charges for Bitcoin Transactions

Businesses in the Las Vegas Valley, ranging from large restaurant chains to small juice bars, are adopting Bitcoin payments as mainstream use grows. These companies are sidestepping credit card processing fees, which typically range from 2.5% to 3.5%, while accessing a burgeoning customer demographic that actively seeks out crypto-friendly vendors.

This transition follows Square’s announcement in November 2025, allowing approximately 4 million U.S. merchants to accept Bitcoin payments with no processing fees through 2026.

As reported by Fox5Vegas, at Cane Juice Bar and Cafe located on Rainbow near Windmill, district manager Tyler Peterson offers fresh-pressed sugar cane juice that customers can pay for using cash, card, or Bitcoin after implementing crypto payments for eight months.

“Bitcoin is becoming increasingly popular among the general public, not just those who are already into cryptocurrencies,” Peterson stated, emphasizing that this payment option assists the business in “moving forward” and attracting new customers specifically looking for establishments that accept Bitcoin.

According to FOX5, a growing number of businesses across Las Vegas are now utilizing Bitcoin payments, from chains like Steak ‘n Shake to independent shops and medical offices. Merchants have noted that Bitcoin helps draw new clientele and reduce expenses, while Square has empowered around 4 million U.S. merchants…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 24, 2026

Small Business Expansion Through Bitcoin Maps

Peterson noted that customers who might not have otherwise discovered his shop specifically come in to use Bitcoin, with frequent calls and inquiries.

“Some customers we’ve gained are due to our acceptance of Bitcoin,” Peterson remarked. “That Bitcoin map is really benefiting us.”

Consumers can find Bitcoin-accepting businesses via specialized Bitcoin maps or Cash App’s directory feature, creating natural discovery avenues for merchants willing to accept cryptocurrency payments.

Jeremy Querci, a Bitcoin consultant with Sovreign, shared that businesses accepting Bitcoin now include a wide variety of establishments, from medical practices to juice bars to children’s recreational spaces, with payment processing requiring just a few taps on a mobile device.

“At checkout, you simply indicate you wish to pay in Bitcoin, and the business can display a QR code that you scan with your phone using any Bitcoin app,” Querci explained, while Peterson affirmed that the technology will continue to simplify as “it’s the future.”

National Chains Pioneering Corporate Bitcoin Adoption

The momentum is not limited to small enterprises; major restaurant chains are also getting involved, with Steak ‘n Shake announcing plans this week to provide all hourly employees at company-operated locations with a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 for every hour worked, starting March 1, with access to funds after a two-year vesting period.

Steak ‘n Shake reveals Bitcoin hourly bonus for employees starting March 1, as part of its treasury strategy that led to a 15% increase in same-store sales. #Bitcoin #Salary https://t.co/HjlPK3TLtN

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 21, 2026

CEO Will Reeves framed this initiative as part of the 91-year-old burger chain’s evolution into “a genuine bitcoin company, providing sound money to working Americans.”

Enabled Lightning Network payments across all U.S. Steak ‘n Shake locations in mid-May 2025 resulted in transaction fee savings of nearly 50% compared to credit cards, along with approximately 15% rises in same-store sales in the months following the launch.

The rollout received public endorsement from Jack Dorsey, who enthusiastically supported the chain’s Bitcoin adoption initiatives when the company initially surveyed followers regarding cryptocurrency acceptance.

Infrastructure Developments Facilitate Mainstream Payments

Cash App launched Bitcoin Lightning payments and stablecoin transfers in November 2025, allowing eligible users to pay over the Lightning Network in seconds without any fees, using either BTC or USD balances after scanning a Lightning QR code.

The app also introduced Bitcoin Map, an in-app directory that assists customers in locating nearby Square merchants and other businesses that accept Bitcoin, enabling users to find stores, obtain directions, and pay directly via Lightning at checkout.

Just yesterday, crypto payments company Mercuryo partnered with Visa to facilitate near-real-time conversion of digital assets into fiat currency, permitting users to send funds directly to Visa debit and credit cards using Visa Direct.

“This alliance with Visa will further improve Mercuryo’s capability to provide a swift, low-cost user experience,” stated Mercuryo co-founder and CEO Petr Kozyakov, highlighting that the integration alleviates the friction typically associated with transferring funds across borders or cashing out digital assets.

This corporate adoption reflects explosive growth in the broader crypto payments sector, with crypto card volumes expanding from around $100 million monthly in early 2023 to over $1.5 billion by late 2025, marking a 106% compound annual growth rate, according to Artemis Analytics.

Source: Artemis

Annualized volumes now surpass $18 billion, while traditional peer-to-peer stablecoin transfers experienced only a 5% increase to $19 billion over the same timeframe.

At the time of this publication, Bitcoin is trading around $89,500, reflecting a decline of roughly 5% over the past week, as Bitcoin spot ETFs faced significant outflows totaling $1.62 billion across four trading days amid reduced yields on basis trades that fell below 5% from about 17% a year earlier.

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