(29 May 2025 – Global) Block is set to roll out real-time bitcoin payments for merchants using its Square point-of-sale devices, starting later this year.
The feature uses the Lightning Network to facilitate near-instant settlement at checkout.
Customers will pay by scanning a QR code, with Square handling live exchange rates and transaction confirmations. This new functionality expands on Block’s 2024 “Bitcoin Conversions” feature, which lets eligible merchants auto-convert part of their daily sales into bitcoin.
Miles Suter, Bitcoin Product Lead at Block, commented: “When a coffee shop or retail store can accept bitcoin through Square, small businesses get paid faster, and get to keep more of their revenue. This is about economic empowerment for merchants who like to have options when it comes to accepting payments.”
The move reinforces Block’s growing crypto ambitions under founder Jack Dorsey, complementing its existing offerings like Cash App’s bitcoin services, the Bitkey self-custody wallet, and Proto’s mining solutions.