- Square will allow merchants to accept Bitcoin or auto-convert it to fiat
- Powered by the Lightning Network, it ensures speed and low fees
- Rollout starts in 2025, full integration expected by 2026
Bitcoin payments are finally getting their real-world moment — and it’s not just another buzzword-fueled “future is now” narrative. Block, the company behind Square, just made a big move that could shake up crypto adoption on a practical level: BTC payments will go live for Square merchants by 2026.
Now, let’s get one thing straight.
This isn’t just a “scan a QR and hope for the best” setup. We’re talking full-on integration with the existing Square ecosystem, powered by the Lightning Network — which means faster transactions, minimal fees, and no need to wait around for confirmations. It’s designed to be seamless.
Customers pay in BTC, merchants can either hold or instantly convert it into fiat. No more backend gymnastics.
Block’s playing this smart. They’re giving merchants control — not just another tool they didn’t ask for. And that’s key. With the Lightning Network in place, payments become smoother than ever.
No more excuses like “Bitcoin is too slow” or “it’s too volatile to accept.” The infrastructure is finally catching up with the hype.
The rollout will start in the second half of 2025 and scale fully by 2026 — of course, all pending regulatory green lights. But that’s just part of the game now. What really matters here is the signal: crypto payments are evolving from niche flexes to real business tools.
And if that wasn’t enough, Block is doubling down on Bitkey — its Bitcoin self-custody wallet. They’re stripping away complexity and making it easier to hold BTC without dealing with seed phrases or clunky user flows. That’s onboarding done right.
So yeah, this isn’t just a newsflash. It’s a glimpse of what’s next: real BTC adoption, one Square merchant at a time.