CZ Encourages Amazon to Accept Bitcoin Payments Following Shareholder Proposal

Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, has urged Amazon to start accepting Bitcoin (BTC) payments after shareholders called on the tech giant to assess the potential of adding Bitcoin to its strategic reserve.
In a recent social media post, CZ responded to news that Amazon shareholders had requested the company's board of directors to evaluate whether Bitcoin should be incorporated into Amazon’s treasury. In his response, CZ proposed a simple approach for the company: begin accepting Bitcoin as a payment method for products sold on its online marketplace. This, he argued, would allow Amazon to gain firsthand experience with Bitcoin’s value compared to traditional currencies and provide a better understanding of its practical use.
“Simple. Accept Bitcoin payments?” CZ wrote in his post.
This suggestion comes amidst growing calls for Amazon to diversify its asset holdings, with some shareholders urging the company to add Bitcoin to its reserve as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.
In a separate discussion, Joel Valenzuela from Dash questioned CZ’s reasoning, arguing that Bitcoin is not an ideal payment method compared to other cryptocurrencies, due to slower transaction times. CZ acknowledged the challenge, sharing his own experience of making a $17.08 Bitcoin purchase and waiting 15 minutes for the transaction to be confirmed. However, he defended Bitcoin as a better option than traditional finance systems (TradFi), where delays and errors often require additional steps to resolve.
“Still better than TradFi though. I didn’t have to call anyone to fix it. It just worked after 15 minutes,” CZ explained, further emphasizing that while crypto payments may not be perfect, they still offer advantages over traditional banking methods.
The broader crypto community has largely supported CZ’s stance, expressing optimism about the possibility of Amazon adopting Bitcoin payments in the future. On December 8, the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), a conservative think tank, proposed that Amazon should consider adding Bitcoin to its corporate reserves. The NCPPR argued that, with much of Amazon’s assets tied up in cash, cash equivalents, and government bonds, the company’s shareholder value is being exposed to risks from a weakening dollar and low bond yields.
The think tank emphasized that while Bitcoin’s volatility is a concern, it remains a non-traditional asset that could provide Amazon with greater financial protection and diversification. As part of the proposal, the NCPPR suggested that Amazon invest at least 5% of its assets in Bitcoin to bolster its strategic reserve and shield the company from the declining value of traditional financial assets.
As the debate over Bitcoin’s role in corporate treasuries continues, Amazon’s approach to cryptocurrency adoption remains to be seen. However, with increasing calls from both shareholders and crypto advocates, the company may soon find itself at a crossroads in embracing digital assets.
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