Block, Jack Dorsey’s financial services startup, plans to allow merchants to accept bitcoin immediately at the point of sale. It’s a new way to pay that may revolutionize the possibilities available to small companies.
Bitcoin Payments With Square Hardware
According to Block, shops who use Square Point of Sale will be able to take bitcoin beginning in the second half of 2025. The push is based on the Lightning Network, which processes payments in under a second and maintains minimal rates.
Shoppers may test it out at the BTC Inc. goods store during Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas on May 27-29.
According to rumors, the first phase will launch later this year. Then, subject to permissions, every qualifying seller might go online in 2026. This implies that, in addition to credit cards and cash, millions of Square users may accept bitcoin at their checkouts. It’s a significant move for a technology that many small businesses currently utilize.
Today: we’re accepting bitcoin payments at @TheBitcoinConf 🟧
— Square (@Square) May 27, 2025
Soon: you can accept bitcoin payments wherever you are 🚀
Details here: https://t.co/ko2S9hFpih pic.twitter.com/IYlYV6XM2S
Block will initially allow shops to convert a portion of their daily sales into bitcoin in 2024. They will now focus on cryptocurrency first. When a consumer pays, Square’s app manages the exchange rate and confirmation. Stores receive payments faster. Customers who own bitcoin can utilize it without further processes.
Block does not end at payments. For years, the Cash App has had bitcoin purchase, sell, and send functionalities. Then there’s Bitkey, which debuted in March 2024 as a self-custody wallet without complicated seed words.
It will soon include improved privacy and recovery features, as well as options for passing cash on to heirs. There’s also Proto mining hardware and Spiral, which funds bitcoin initiatives. They explain how to purchase, store, spend, and even construct using bitcoin.
Merchants who want to hold bitcoin will still experience price volatility. However, automated conversions remain a possibility. And for those who do hold, using the Lightning Network can save money over 2%-3% credit-card fees.
Additionally, authorities will be watching attentively. Approvals might differ by area. However, if all goes as planned, customers will notice a new “bitcoin” option on Square displays in early 2026.
It’s early days, but this appears to be a true test of Bitcoin’s initial peer-to-peer concept. Some will appreciate lesser costs and quicker payout. Others will wait to see if it sticks. Regardless, small businesses will soon have a new option to get compensated.
Our feature image was created by Microsoft Designer AI. All the rights of this image belong to them.
