On September 17, former President Donald Trump made headlines during a visit to PubKey, a Bitcoin-themed bar in New York City, where he treated supporters to burgers and paid using Bitcoin. This was an example of his continued engagement with the cryptocurrency community, which has recently received increased mainstream attention.
When Trump got to the bar, he got a round of boos and jeers from a section of the people who were assembled there. But the mood shifted immediately as he walked in, with some Bitcoin supporters and his fans clapping him in. “Who wants a burger?” he said with his casual and playful tone to try and make everyone relax throughout.
Trump’s $998.70 Bitcoin Burger Order Marks Crypto Connection
Trump ordered a few dozen burgers for $998.70 using the Strike payment app which runs on the Lightning Network to perform instant Bitcoin transactions. After the establishment of PubKey, the bar’s co-founder Drew Armstrong would later confirm that the bar was, in fact, in use of the Zaprite app to effect the Bitcoin payment. During the period when patrons were paying for the burgers, the Diet Coke was part of the complimentary items, making the atmosphere festive.
This visit was a part of establishing a connection with the cryptocurrency sector, especially for Trump as he continues to push his new project, World Liberty Financial, seeking to offer a decentralized financial service that competes with existing banking systems. His attempts to woo crypto enthusiasts go back to the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville where Trump pledged to fill the White House with pro-crypto regulators if he was given the nod to ascend back to the presidency.
Another PubKey co-founder, Thomas Pacchia, said Trump’s appearance is iconic and huge for Bitcoin. Some people expect this period to be the pivot point that indicates the former president’s impact on cryptocurrencies.
Some, such as Matt Kita, argued that Trump’s positive attitude towards Bitcoin could benefit the industry and the voters. They believe that his participation could pave the way for a new form of regulation that would help boost the popularity of cryptocurrencies among entrepreneurial people.
