The McRib, one of McDonald’s signature offerings since its introduction in 1981, has developed a cult-like following due to its limited-time availability. This scarcity strategy generates significant anticipation and social media engagement whenever the sandwich is announced to return, effectively transforming it into a cultural icon and a marketing success.
Recently, McDonald’s Senior Marketing Director Guillaume Huin pointed out the immense online buzz surrounding the McRib on the platform X, stating, “The legendary McRib returns on 11/11 at most McDonald’s in the US. It is our most-mentioned limited-time product online, exceeding evergreen items.” Intriguingly, the McRib has garnered attention not only in the fast-food world but also within the trading and cryptocurrency communities. Some have started to draw connections between the launch of the McRib and subsequent performance in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and major stock indices, suggesting possible correlations.
Historically, reintroductions of the McRib have coincided with significant movements in Bitcoin’s price. For instance, in November 2017, the McRib made a comeback just as Bitcoin was about to enter a substantial price surge, ultimately reaching a record high of approximately $19,500 by mid-December. A similar pattern emerged in December 2020 when the McRib returned on December 2, shortly before Bitcoin reset its all-time high at around $19,850, eventually climbing by over 237% in the months that followed. Most recently, a McRib reintroduction in November 2023 preceded a 71% increase in Bitcoin’s price.
However, not every McRib return has signaled growth for Bitcoin. After a McRib comeback in 2018, Bitcoin suffered a considerable decline to $3,250 by its subsequent bear market. Similarly, in November 2021, despite an initial spike to $68,742, Bitcoin plunged 74% afterward, signaling the onset of a tough market phase. Interestingly, data from the most recent McRib return on November 11, 2025, indicated a brief rise in Bitcoin’s value, reaching approximately $105,600 before dropping below $100,000 subsequently.
Across the eight documented McRib returns since 2017, there have been five instances of Bitcoin prices rising and three instances of declines. These observations have been interpreted by many as part of a “McRib effect,” though the data remains too inconsistent to derive reliable investment signals.
Another perspective suggests that McDonald’s may time the McRib’s return based on fluctuating pork prices rather than cultural trends. Price analyses of lean hog futures reveal mixed results; while the McRib’s return aligned with lower pork prices in years like 2020 and 2024, the sandwich also appeared during higher pork prices in 2021 and 2022 without a discernible pattern.
Ultimately, the intertwining narratives of the McRib and Bitcoin hint more at human psychology than economic trends. Cognitive biases like pattern recognition and confirmation bias cause traders to link unrelated happenings, reinforcing perceived connections. Moreover, the typical October-to-December timeline for both the McRib and Bitcoin’s trading activity adds to the coincidental overlap.
While the relationship between the McRib and Bitcoin might be more anecdotal than analytical, its enduring presence in finance discussions underscores a cultural fascination with quirky coincidences. As traders react to this phenomenon, the McRib may become a self-fulfilling prophecy, influencing market actions purely through its notoriety in the digital age.
Amid this amusing interplay between a fast-food item and a major cryptocurrency, potential investors and traders are reminded of the importance of discernment and critical analysis when navigating volatility in the market.
