The conservative shareholders of the popular fast-food chain McDonald’s want the company to consider acquiring Bitcoin (BTC). They warn that more and more businesses are adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets, and therefore, according to them, McDonald’s risks falling behind if it doesn’t incorporate Bitcoin into its portfolios.
However, a document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) indicates that the company is not interested in discussing the proposal.
What’s the story behind this initiative? Discover who’s pushing it
Let’s provide context: the Bitcoin acquisition proposal emerged when the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), a conservative think tank and McDonald’s shareholder, sent a letter to the fast-food chain’s management urging the adoption of the cryptocurrency for long-term benefit.
Specifically, the NCPPR’s statement reads: “McDonald’s should, and perhaps has a fiduciary duty, to consider adding assets to its treasury that appreciate enough to offset the devaluation of its cash and surpass the appreciation of its real estate, assets that appreciate enough to offset the devaluation of its cash.”
Additionally, in the proposal, they cited the success of Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy, aiming to demonstrate that the shares of Michael Saylor’s company have increased by 2,360% more than McDonald’s over the past five years. For context, Strategy currently holds 553,555 bitcoins.
It’s important to note that this isn’t the first time shareholders have asked corporate boards to start acquiring Bitcoin. For example, they did so with Microsoft, receiving a rejection in December 2024, citing the cryptocurrency’s volatility.
What happened with the Bitcoin proposal at McDonald’s?
Amid all these arguments, the proposal was not added to the agenda for the upcoming shareholder meeting in May. In fact, the company’s legal representatives consulted with the SEC regarding whether they could exclude the proposal from the next meeting’s agenda without initiating legal action.
Subsequently, on March 28, 2025, the SEC confirmed that McDonald’s has the right to dismiss the proposal, arguing that it relates to the company’s ordinary business operations.
Conservative McDonald’s shareholders push for Bitcoin treasury plan, but SEC says company can dismiss proposal https://t.co/m19wEbme06
— The Block (@TheBlock__) April 11, 2025
Following this, the NCPPR insisted that its evaluation request did not exceed the authority of McDonald’s board of directors. They argued that requesting an evaluation of Bitcoin as a reserve asset is a reasonable proposal on which shareholders should have the right to vote, especially given Bitcoin’s growing relevance in the economic and political landscape.
Why is this decision significant?
Regardless, Bitcoin continues to gain acceptance, and the question of whether companies should integrate it into their financial strategies—and how to do so—is becoming increasingly relevant.
Therefore, McDonald’s response and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) decision serve as a reference for other companies facing similar proposals. Let’s hope the measure they take in May, at their next board meeting, benefits the company.
Now, should McDonald’s follow the advice of Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad?: “Save in gold, silver, and Bitcoin.”
WHY AREA FEW REALLY REALLY RICH people…getting POORER?
A few really rich people own McDonalds and Burger King franchise…franchises with multiple stores…
The problem is the franchise stores are going bankrupt.
WHY?
One reason is todays poor cannot afford to eat at McDonalds…
— Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) April 26, 2025
