Jack Dorsey’s Block to Roll Out Bitcoin Payments via Square by 2026
Block, Inc., the financial technology firm led by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has announced it will integrate Bitcoin (BTC) payments into Square, its widely used payment processing platform. The rollout will begin in late 2025, with full availability expected by 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
Bitcoin Payments Through the Lightning Network
Revealed during the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas on May 27, Block showcased a live demo of Bitcoin payments at the BTC Inc. merchandise booth. The new feature will enable Square merchants to accept Bitcoin via the Lightning Network, Bitcoin’s layer-2 protocol for fast and low-cost transactions.
Users will be able to pay by simply scanning a QR code, while Square will manage the backend, including Lightning network integration and settlement.
“Merchants can choose to hold the Bitcoin or auto-convert it to fiat in real-time,” Jack Dorsey wrote in a post on X.
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
This development builds on Square’s existing BTC Conversions tool, which allows sellers to automatically convert sales into Bitcoin. The update represents a major step forward in making crypto payments accessible and practical for businesses.
Square: Empowering Merchants with Payment Flexibility
“This is about economic empowerment for merchants who like to have options when it comes to accepting payments,” said Miles Suter, Bitcoin product lead at Block.
To support this initiative, Block is also enhancing Bitkey, its self-custody Bitcoin wallet launched in late 2023. New privacy and security upgrades will make self-custody easier without the need for traditional seed phrases, improving user accessibility and safety.
Stake n’ Shake: Cutting Fees with Bitcoin
Meanwhile, U.S. fast food chain Stake n’ Shake has already started reaping the benefits of Bitcoin adoption. Speaking on stage at the conference, the company’s COO Dan Edwards revealed that processing fees were cut in half after switching to BTC payments.
“Bitcoin is faster than credit cards,” Edwards said. “When customers choose to pay in Bitcoin, we’re saving about 50% on our payment processing fees.”
He added, “It’s a win for the customer, a win for us, and a win for the Bitcoin community.”
Stake n’ Shake began accepting Bitcoin globally on May 16.
As Block pushes Bitcoin adoption at the point of sale, the move could help normalize BTC as a payment method for millions of merchants worldwide—marking another significant step in Bitcoin’s transition from store of value to medium of exchange.
