From Decrypt · By Ryan S. Gladwin
In brief
Some crypto traders believe that the McRib’s return to McDonald’s menus precedes a rise in Bitcoin’s price.
Experts say there is "no correlation” between the two at all, as believers often omit the times the McRib has failed to pump prices.
Analysts think the Fed’s rate decision on Wednesday is a far more likely driver of Bitcoin’s next move.
The McDonald's McRib has become a crypto meme in recent years, due to many traders believing that its reintroduction to the menu precedes a boost in Bitcoin's price. And, with the tangy pork sandwich back in certain states across the U.S., crypto traders are getting excited.
But experts have taken the McRib theory off the menu, saying that those parroting the theory are forgetting all of the times that the McRib hasn't coincided with a Bitcoin price increase.
The McRib is back on 10/27. BTC historically goes up >2x after the McRib returns. Don't fade the McRib.
Not financial advice. pic.twitter.com/RxBuzcVht5
— internbrah (@internbrah) October 22, 2026
"There is no correlation at all," Luke Nolan, senior researcher at CoinShares, told Decrypt. "Whilst it is a fun exercise, it seems to be that people omit McRib returns when it doesn't fit the narrative."
Nolan shared a chart tracking the McRib's return compared to Bitcoin's weekly close, and only three out of 10 McRib returns posted clear positive Bitcoin returns. In fact, it often comes before major drops in valuation.
BTC weekly close with US McRib return dates. Image: CoinShares.
Carlos Guzman, vice president of research at crypto trading firm GSR, told Decrypt that there is "no causal mechanism” and that any price increases following the McRib's reintroduction is just a "funny coincidence."
"Let's say, hypothetically, it did indicate the start of a bull run, it would be quite nonsensical, similar to when people overlaid the Dune movie releases," Nolan said. "So yes, it's fun, generates some excitement, but even in the best case, purely coincidental."
BitcoinBTC · USD$80,374−2.72%Oct 20Oct 22Oct 24Oct 25Oct 27$84.8k$83.1k$81.3k$79.6k24h HighHigh$80,68024h LowLow$79,416VolVol$999.9M→Buy Bitcoin with USDTPowered by JupiterPrice data by CoinGeckoCoinGeckoMore Bitcoin news and projections →Guzman agreed, adding that the crypto community likely just clings to the theory as it's "silly," "obviously absurd," and because people find it funny.
This year's McRib return comes as Bitcoin sits in what André Dragosch, head of research at Bitwise Europe, called "wait and see mode," with traders waiting for the Federal Reserve's next moves before making big bets.
What will actually move Bitcoin?