re: What’s causing the sudden crypto run up?

For the currency of the place I reside in at the time that I needed to purchase something. If I lived in Japan, I'd trade it for the Yen, if I lived in Europe, I'd trade it for Euros. If I lived on a deserted island where the tribal people used shells as money, i'd trade it for that. Your question, that you have asked no less than 50 times on this forum on the past year, proves absolutely nothing that you think it does.

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And yet, you can’t buy anything with your bitcoin until you convert it.

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Currently, over 15,000 businesses worldwide accept Bitcoin, including about 2,300 companies in the United States, including AT&T, AMC Theaters, Microsoft, 1-800 Flowers, NewEgg and a lot more. Many use Bitpay, Crypto.com or other apps to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and other crypto payments. The merchant can elect to keep the payment as crypto or convert the payment to the currency of their choice if they desire.

The buyer pays in crypto. The buyer is not doing any conversion to Fiat at the thousands of merchants who accept crypto, unless the buyer wants to at stores, etc that don't accept crypto payments.

Also, with Shopify, millions of independent merchants using the Shopify e-commerce platform can enable direct Bitcoin and crypto checkouts. It is estimated that thousands do this, but there is no exact count.

A cryptocurrency debit card works by instantly converting your digital assets into local fiat currency at the point of sale, letting you spend crypto anywhere standard cards are accepted.

Who Accepts Bitcoin Payments in 2026?

250+ companies & stores that accept cryptocurrency

A limited but substantial number of companies accept direct cryptocurrency payments, while others accept Bitcoin and other tokens through third-party apps.

Cryptocurrency debit and gift cards expand the usability of Bitcoin, allowing holders to transact in spaces that don't otherwise accept cryptocurrency.

Options like the Crypto.com App support paying with Bitcoin for participating retailers and brands, bundling security with incentives like rebates and rewards.

Despite variability in direct merchant acceptance, options like Crypto.com Pay ensure that dedicated crypto enthusiasts can effectively use Bitcoin in everyday commerce.

Also, Bitcoin is not trying to replace any currency. Bitcoin is decentralized, public digital ledger that can be used as an investment and as a form of payment for goods and services.

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Currently, over 15,000 businesses worldwide accept Bitcoin

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Misleading at best. Smart business knows better than to take a crypto currency since it’s far too volatile. Imagine selling a latte to Chad for .0007 Btc and then having to convert it only to find that the exchange rate (to USD btw) has gone against you by 5% in one day! You just lost money on your sale! That’s a latte. Now imagine a car, or land, or a boat…. That exchange rate is reeeeeal important….
So no, smart business does not take crypto.

And imagine buying a car with crypto and then your coin just shot up 5%! You just lost 5% on a big purchase. Dumb. Real dumb.

What some have figured out is that they can offer exchange kiosks to allow YOU to convert your coin to USD and then buy your goods. It’s seamless and happens at the checkout. The customer thinks they’re buying with crypto but they’re not.

Bottom line here- a currency needs stability and many crypto simply isn’t stable. BTC certainly isn’t. The USD is. And that’s why smart business accepts it aside from the fact that it’s considered legal tender in the US and has to be accepted by legitimate business.