McDonald’s Corporation has formally informed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it will not address a shareholder proposal advocating for the inclusion of Bitcoin in its corporate treasury.
The proposal, submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), urged the fast-food giant to consider holding Bitcoin reserves as a strategic financial asset.
The topic was proposed for discussion during the company’s upcoming annual shareholder meeting in May.
However, McDonald’s has taken a decisive stance to exclude the matter from the official agenda, asserting that it falls outside the scope of its core business concerns.
SEC Supports McDonald’s Move to Omit Bitcoin from Agenda
Following the submission of the proposal, McDonald’s legal counsel formally requested permission from the SEC to exclude the Bitcoin reserve item from its shareholder meeting discussions.
The SEC reviewed the request and sided with McDonald’s, granting the company the authority to omit the proposal.
According to SEC regulations, companies can disregard shareholder proposals that are deemed irrelevant to their primary business functions or inconsistent with customary corporate practices.
The ruling solidifies McDonald’s position that cryptocurrency reserves do not align with its financial priorities or operational focus.
Conservative Push for Bitcoin Adoption Finds Little Traction
The NCPPR’s proposal is part of a wider movement among conservative and libertarian-leaning groups to encourage large public companies to adopt Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and potential instability in fiat currencies.
These proponents often argue that incorporating Bitcoin into corporate treasuries can offer long-term financial resilience.
However, McDonald’s rejection reflects a broader reluctance among traditional companies to embrace the volatility and risk associated with cryptocurrencies.
Unlike tech-forward firms or smaller startups that have experimented with Bitcoin holdings, McDonald’s remains cautious and focused on financial prudence.
McDonald’s Prioritizes Operational Stability, Despite Past Crypto Interest
In declining to entertain the Bitcoin reserve proposal, McDonald’s reinforces its commitment to a conservative and stability-focused business model.
The company’s leadership has made it clear that venturing into crypto asset management does not align with its fiduciary responsibilities or long-term financial strategies.
While McDonald’s has shown some openness to blockchain innovation, such as its recent partnership with Ethereum-based NFT project Doodles to host the “GM Spread Joy” event, these ventures are positioned more as marketing or branding initiatives rather than financial strategy shifts.
Overall, McDonald’s decision illustrates a clear boundary between engaging with digital assets for promotional purposes and adopting them as part of core financial operations.