Square Just Supercharged U.S. Retail: Bitcoin Payments Go Live Nationwide

Jack Dorsey’s fintech giant flips the switch on crypto commerce—mainstreet merchants can now ditch the middlemen.

Why this matters

No more 'we accept crypto' gimmicks—actual Bitcoin settlement hits Square’s 2 million+ U.S. sellers. Finally, a real use case that doesn’t involve degenerate NFT flippers.

The mechanics

Auto-conversion to fiat protects merchants from volatility (because let’s face it—nobody wants to pay suppliers in a currency that might drop 20% before lunch).

Wall Street’s ulcer

Watch legacy payment processors scramble as Square eats their lunch—again. Remember when they laughed at Bitcoin in 2018? Now they’re stuck holding bags of inflationary USD while the cool kids transact in hard money.

Bottom line

Another brick in the hyperbitcoinization wall. The suits will call it 'disruptive'—we call it inevitable.

TLDR

• Square has started onboarding merchants to its new Bitcoin payment feature.
• Merchants can accept Bitcoin or convert it to dollars at the point of sale.
• The feature works with Square’s existing point-of-sale terminals without extra hardware.
• Transactions are settled through the Lightning Network for fast and low-cost processing.
• Square supports over 4 million sellers and processes more than $200 billion annually.

Square has launched its Bitcoin payment feature, enabling merchants to accept cryptocurrency directly or convert it to dollars instantly. The feature operates through existing point-of-sale terminals and settles transactions over the Lightning Network. It marks a shift toward real-world Bitcoin utility in U.S. retail.

Bitcoin Now Available at Checkout

Square’s update introduces a new payment option for merchants, without requiring new hardware or app downloads. Businesses can accept Bitcoin with low fees and fast processing using their existing Square infrastructure. The company developed and tested the feature internally for months before initiating merchant onboarding.

With Lightning Network integration, payments can be processed quickly, avoiding delays from traditional blockchain confirmations. This enhances the customer experience while reducing friction at checkout. The design ensures merchants do not face added complexity or operational changes.

Retailers now have the option to receive bitcoin or convert it immediately to U.S. dollars. This addresses price volatility concerns and enables flexible settlement choices. Square manages the process end-to-end through its native system.

Square Scales Bitcoin Reach Across Retail

Square, part of Block, supports over 4 million sellers and processes more than $200 billion annually. This scale gives the company a strong base to expand Bitcoin’s use in everyday commerce. The rollout may lead to higher Bitcoin circulation outside of speculative trading.

boom.

today we're onboarding our first few @Square sellers for the new native bitcoin acceptance experience

this is the way!

— OBJ (@owenbjennings) July 22, 2025

Bitcoin adoption in retail has remained limited despite rising institutional interest. By integrating Bitcoin directly into Square’s ecosystem, merchants gain access without additional barriers. This may drive broader usage as payments become more straightforward and more accessible.

The integration eliminates past challenges such as high fees and slow speeds. Lightning Network support ensures efficiency and cost-effectiveness for both merchants and customers. The system offers a practical path for Bitcoin as a payment method.

The launch coincides with Bitcoin trading above $118,000 amid strong ETF inflows and institutional buying. Square’s MOVE could align with market momentum and support increased consumer-level usage. It brings Bitcoin closer to functioning as a true medium of exchange.