TLDR
- Block will integrate Bitcoin payments into Square payment systems using Lightning Network by 2026
- Merchants can choose to hold Bitcoin or convert to cash automatically in real-time
- Initial rollout begins second half 2025, full deployment by 2026 pending regulatory approval
- Stake n’ Shake reports 50% savings on processing fees using Bitcoin payments
- Block owns 8,584 Bitcoin worth $935 million, making it the tenth-largest corporate holder
Jack Dorsey’s financial services company Block announced plans to integrate Bitcoin payments into its Square platform. The rollout will begin in late 2025 with full deployment expected by 2026.
Today: we’re accepting bitcoin payments at @TheBitcoinConf 🟧
Soon: you can accept bitcoin payments wherever you are 🚀Details here: https://t.co/ko2S9hFpih pic.twitter.com/IYlYV6XM2S
— Square (@Square) May 27, 2025
The company demonstrated the new feature at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas on May 27. Attendees tested the payment system at the BTC Inc. merchandise store during the event.
Square merchants will accept Bitcoin payments through existing hardware using the Lightning Network. This layer-2 scaling solution enables faster and cheaper Bitcoin transactions than the main blockchain.
spend your bitcoin at @Square terminals.
merchant can choose to hold the bitcoin, or auto-convert it to fiat in real-time.
try it at bitcoin 2025 today. rolls out to more sellers this year. https://t.co/RWf6PV5Z2a
— jack (@jack) May 27, 2025
Merchants get flexibility in how they handle Bitcoin payments. They can choose to hold the cryptocurrency or automatically convert it to traditional currency in real-time.
The payment process stays simple for customers who scan QR codes to complete transactions. Square handles the technical aspects behind the scenes while Lightning Network enables near-instant settlement.
Block expects to start the rollout in the second half of 2025. All eligible Square sellers should have access by 2026, subject to regulatory approvals in different markets.
Growing Corporate Bitcoin Adoption
Block ranks as the tenth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder with 8,584 coins. The company’s holdings are worth approximately $935 million at current market prices.
The new payment feature builds on Square’s existing Bitcoin Conversions tool. This allows merchants to automatically convert sales revenue into Bitcoin rather than traditional currency.
Miles Suter, Block’s Bitcoin Product Lead, said the integration aims for economic empowerment. Small businesses get paid faster and keep more revenue when using Bitcoin payments.
Real-World Cost Savings
American fast food chain Stake n’ Shake reported positive results from Bitcoin adoption. The company cut payment processing fees in half by accepting Bitcoin transactions.
Dan Edwards, Stake n’ Shake’s operating chief, spoke at Bitcoin 2025 about the benefits. Bitcoin payments process faster than credit cards while reducing merchant costs by approximately 50%.
Stake n’ Shake began accepting Bitcoin at all global restaurant locations on May 16. The company announced this expansion on May 9 following successful initial testing.
Block also announced new features for its Bitkey self-custody wallet launching in May. These include enhanced privacy protections and an inheritance recovery system for users.
The company continues expanding its Bitcoin ecosystem through multiple products. This includes Cash App’s Bitcoin services, Proto mining products, and Spiral’s open-source development projects.
Block confirmed it has been working on Bitcoin integration for Square and Bitkey platforms. Company executives noted the integration process involves complex technical and regulatory considerations.
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