Bitcoin Commerce → Google: WTF!
Google is making moves that will stifle innovation in Bitcoin and beyond.
Recent Google policy updates cause headaches, but this edition is also packed with stories of how Bitcoin Commerce is pushing forward!
Google is attacking custodial (and experimental) Bitcoin wallets and stifling independent developers around the world
Luxury watch firm integrates Bitcoin payments as part of a larger Bitcoin Treasury strategy
Steak and Shake sees 11% rise in same store sales after integrating Bitcoin payments!
Spar Supermarkets Bitcoin and stablecoin payments go nationwide
Volkswagen in Singapore now accepts Bitcoin for cars and service
Looking for a laugh? Check out our Bitcoin meme of the week at the back of the Roundup! 😁
Find it all here, and thanks from the Velas Team!
Bitcoin Commerce -> Google: WTF!
Google is making some surprise moves in the Android ecosystem - requiring heavy regulatory compliance for custodial (and experimental) Bitcoin wallets and forcing independent Android developers to KYC.
All this may sound a little technical, but from a birds-eye view it stifles innovation on many fronts, and some that particularly affect Bitcoin Commerce.
For example, E-cash wallets like Cashu and Fedimint (and any app that incorporates them) would now technically not be allowed in the Google Play Store. Affected Bitcoin wallets include Zeus, Minibits, and Wallet of Satoshi.
E-Cash tech is emerging as a critical element of Bitcoin UX to solve the “Lightning Last Mile” problem for Bitcoin wallets, micropayments and in-app rewards. Moves like this could needlessly stifle innovation on this frontier technology.
From a much broader perspective, independent developers will also now be forced to identify themselves to publish Android apps - including outside of the Google Play Store. The effects of this move are mind-blowing for any technology that has a privacy or anti-censorship focus.
It’s disappointing to see that Google is following Apple’s footsteps of heavy-handed, innovation stifling policies, and points to the need for us all to continue work on freedom technology, both in Bitcoin Commerce and beyond.
We’ll get there - with or without Google’s help.
But in the meantime: Google, WTF?
https://www.theverge.com/news/765881/google-android-apps-side-loading-developer-verification
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Luxury Watches Firm Upgrades their BTC Strategy
Top-Win, an Asian luxury watchmaker, is making a move that we think could become increasingly common. They’re accepting Bitcoin payments as part of an overall Bitcoin treasury strategy!
This idea is the bread and butter of Bitcoin Commerce. Businesses accept Bitcoin payments as a way to earn, save and spend with Bitcoin. Often, in our experience, this is done in combination with an investment of Bitcoin as a long-term savings.
The real innovation here is not in the strategy, but rather in who is implementing it.
That large corporations are seeing the value in adopting this strategy is a validation of Bitcoin Commerce and points to a bright future ahead for Bitcoin businesses.
https://bitcoinnews.com/markets/top-win-intl-asiastrategy-luxury-watches/
Steak n’ Shake See Strong Growth with Bitcoin Payments
Steak and Shake proves that accepting Bitcoin can be more than a marketing gimmick. The company reported over 10% increase in same-store sales for the second quarter of 2025 after integrating Bitcoin payments!
This great article by Flash highlights the huge potential Bitcoin presents for businesses. Here are the highlights:
Cut payment processing costs
Fast settlement with zero chargebacks
Attract new customers
Improve brand differentiation
Check out the article by Flash for lots more insight:
https://paywithflash.com/bitcoin-payments-in-retail-steak-n-shake-enterprise/
Spar Supermarkets (Again) Expands Bitcoin Payments Program
Swiss supermarket chain Spar has been regularly expanding its Bitcoin payment program since the initial pilot program in April.
And now they are going nationwide! This will bring Bitcoin, crypto and stablecoin payments to over 300 Swiss supermarkets when complete.
Spar’s success seems like a great indicator that Bitcoin Commerce could be in for a big year. Check out more in the CoinTelegraph article here:
https://cointelegraph.com/news/spar-supermarket-crypto-payments-300-switzerland-stores
Volkswagen Customers in Singapore Can Now Pay with Bitcoin
It’s great to see another automaker join the Bitcoin Commerce list!
If you're a bitcoiner in Singapore that isn’t on a Ferrari-size budget, now you can buy the people’s car with BTC 😂
Check it out:
https://www.ccn.com/news/crypto/volkswagen-singapore-accepts-crypto-payments-cars-services
And our Bitcoin Commerce meme of the week.............🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁
💼 Bitcoin job hunting?
BitVocation released a 2024 Bitcoin Job Market Data report as well as posting jobs to their LinkedIn page.
👷Looking for funding for an open source Bitcoin project?
Check out our list of grants available that specialize in funding open source development for Bitcoin projects. Know a grant that’s not on the list? Let us know at engineering@velascommerce.com.