Block to Launch Bitcoin Payments on Square Using Lightning Network by 2026

Jack Dorsey’s Block, Inc. is making a major move toward Bitcoin integration by announcing plans to enable Bitcoin payments on Square, its popular payment processing platform. The announcement was made during the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas on May 27, where Block showcased a live demonstration of the feature at the BTC Inc. merchandise store. The rollout is set to begin in the latter half of 2025, with full availability for all eligible Square sellers expected by 2026, pending regulatory approvals. Merchants will be able to accept Bitcoin via existing Square hardware using the Lightning Network, a fast and low-cost layer-2 protocol built on Bitcoin. Square will also offer merchants the flexibility to either hold the Bitcoin or automatically convert it to fiat currency in real time. “This is about economic empowerment for merchants who like to have options when it comes to accepting payments,” said Miles Suter, Block’s Bitcoin Product Lead. Block Aims to Making Bitcoin Payments Easier Square’s move builds on its existing Bitcoin Conversions feature, which already allows merchants to receive payments in Bitcoin. With the new Lightning-powered system, the customer experience becomes seamless—scan a QR code, and the transaction is settled in seconds, with Square managing the technical complexities in the background. To support this growing push toward Bitcoin adoption , Block also announced updates to its self-custody wallet, Bitkey. Starting in May, Bitkey will include new privacy and security enhancements, removing the need for traditional seed phrases while maintaining control in the hands of users. These updates aim to make self-custody more accessible for everyday users, further reinforcing Block’s long-term commitment to Bitcoin infrastructure. Bitcoin Proves Cost-Effective for Businesses At the same conference, Dan Edwards, COO of American fast-food chain Stake n’ Shake, revealed the financial benefits the company has already seen from Bitcoin payments. “Our experience so far with Bitcoin has been that it is faster than credit cards,” he said. “And when customers choose Bitcoin, we save around 50% in processing fees.” Stake n’ Shake officially began accepting Bitcoin payments at all of its global locations on May 16, following a May 9 announcement. Edwards highlighted the triple-win effect: lower costs for the business, a streamlined experience for customers, and greater adoption for the Bitcoin community. The post Block to Launch Bitcoin Payments on Square Using Lightning Network by 2026 appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .

Source: The Coin Rise