Major developments swept across the crypto sector this week, from Fortune 500 companies driving stablecoin adoption to regulatory discussions dominating the World Economic Forum in Davos. Michael Saylor’s Strategy continued its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation with a massive $2.13 billion purchase, while institutional demand pushed Bitcoin’s available supply to new lows. The momentum shows no signs of slowing as Bitcoin cements its dominance in the payments market and traditional banks scramble to offer digital assets to their wealthiest clients.
Bitcoin captures 22% of global crypto payment volume
Digital currency transactions have evolved far beyond simple retail purchases, with Bitcoin commanding nearly one-quarter of all cryptocurrency payment activity worldwide. Recent data from Coingate reveals that Bitcoin now represents 22.1% of the global crypto payment market, marking a significant comeback for the original cryptocurrency.
The resurgence stems from businesses integrating digital currencies throughout their entire operational infrastructure. Companies are now utilizing cryptocurrencies for vendor settlements, affiliate payments, contractor compensation, and treasury management, not just customer checkouts. The Lightning Network, combined with Bitcoin’s main blockchain, has emerged as the most popular payment infrastructure globally.
Tether secured second place with 16% market share, while Litecoin maintained its third-position ranking despite seasonal fluctuations. Tron experienced remarkable growth, with TRX payment share climbing from 9.1% to 11.5%. Meanwhile, Ethereum expanded its presence from 8.9% to 10.6%, particularly dominating stablecoin transactions.
Geographic distribution shows Europe leading regional payment volumes, followed by North America and Asia. The United States tops individual country rankings, with the Netherlands breaking into the top three and Nigeria remaining highly active in crypto adoption.
Las Vegas businesses choose Bitcoin over credit card processors
Small business owners across Las Vegas are increasingly switching to Bitcoin payments to reduce overhead costs. Local entrepreneurs report that cryptocurrency transaction fees represent just a fraction of traditional credit card processing charges.
Mike Peterson, who operates Bouncy World Mega Playground & Cafe, noted that 20 to 30 customers have already paid using Bitcoin since the implementation. The simplified payment process, involving a quick QR code scan, has proven surprisingly user-friendly for both merchants and consumers.
Steak ‘n Shake made headlines by launching Bitcoin-themed menu items and implementing a unique employee compensation program. Workers now earn $0.21 in Bitcoin for every hour worked, though a two-year vesting period applies. The restaurant chain, which recently added $10 million to its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, reports substantially increased same-store sales since accepting cryptocurrency.
UBS joins Wall Street’s crypto wealth management expansion
Switzerland’s banking giant UBS Group is preparing to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum investment options to high-net-worth clients, managing over $7 trillion in assets. The initiative will initially launch in Switzerland before potentially expanding to Asia-Pacific markets and the United States.
The move follows Morgan Stanley’s October decision to open crypto investing to all wealth management clients, removing previous restrictions that limited access to only aggressive-risk investors with $1.5 million in assets. Morgan Stanley is also preparing cryptocurrency trading capabilities for E*Trade customers in early 2026, potentially unlocking $1.3 trillion in trading volume.
The acceleration of crypto adoption among traditional financial institutions signals a fundamental shift in how institutional wealth managers view digital assets, transforming them from speculative investments into legitimate portfolio components for affluent investors.
Stay informed,
Rodcas Consulting Group