The much-anticipated return of McDonald’s McRib sandwich has reignited a long-standing online joke suggesting a correlation between the iconic fast-food item and the performance of Bitcoin (BTC). This quirky phenomenon, humorously dubbed the “McRib Indicator,” posits that Bitcoin tends to rise in value when the McRib makes its seasonal comeback.
McDonald’s Senior Market Executive Guillaume Huin recently announced the return of the McRib, set to hit menus on November 11. In his announcement, he hinted at the peculiar relationship the sandwich shares with Bitcoin and the S&P 500, stating that past years had seen significant rallies in both markets following the McRib’s return. These remarks have once again sparked interest and speculation regarding the potential effects on Bitcoin prices in 2025.
The notion of the “McRib pump” has been circulating since 2017, with both the sandwich and Bitcoin capturing substantial public attention in that year. Historical data compiled by crypto researcher McCordic suggests a noteworthy connection: Bitcoin prices reportedly surged by 237%, 71%, and 58% in the months following the McRib’s return in 2020, 2023, and 2024 respectively in the U.S. and the U.K.
However, this correlation isn’t infallible. The return of the McRib in November 2021 didn’t have the desired effect on Bitcoin; instead, the cryptocurrency saw a staggering decline of 74% from its peak in the months that followed. Despite this mixed history, the meme persists, with both casual traders and crypto enthusiasts playfully expressing “bullish” sentiments surrounding the McRib’s comeback.
Yet not all analysts share the optimistic outlook. Valdrin Tahiri, a CCN analyst, noted that Bitcoin appears to be in a corrective phase that has been evolving since August. He cautioned that further short-term losses are possible, indicating that BTC might soon fall below the $100,000 mark. Tahiri pointed out that current indicators, including the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), have not shown any signs of bullish momentum.
With the McRib once again available at fast-food chains across America, the interplay between culinary delight and cryptocurrency speculation remains intriguing. However, analysts are cautious, suggesting that while the return of the McRib is a cause for celebration among fans, Bitcoin’s trajectory may not be as promising as many hope. As 2025 approaches, the crypto community will undoubtedly keep a close eye on this unconventional indicator.
