Square offers Bitcoin payments for merchants as crypto adoption accelerates
Square, the popular payments processor owned by Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc., has launched a groundbreaking Bitcoin payment service for U.S. merchants. This new feature enables businesses to accept BTC at checkout, store it in a built-in wallet, and enjoy zero transaction fees until 2026. The move represents another major milestone in the growing journey of crypto adoption and demonstrates how blockchain technology continues to transform the way people transact.
Announced on Wednesday, Square’s Bitcoin offering allows merchants to accept Bitcoin (BTC) payments directly at the point of sale. Businesses can automatically convert part of their sales into Bitcoin and manage their assets through Square’s integrated dashboard. Although the free-processing period runs through 2026, a standard 1% fee will be introduced starting January 1, 2027.
Bitcoin wallet integration for merchants
Merchants can store their Bitcoin in a built-in wallet linked to Square’s platform, making it easy to view balances, buy, sell, or withdraw funds. Currently, this service is limited to sellers in the United States, excluding New York State, with international merchants expected to gain access in the future.
With over 4 million merchants already using Square’s payment infrastructure, this rollout could dramatically accelerate everyday crypto transactions and bring Bitcoin closer to mainstream retail adoption.
Jack Dorsey’s Bitcoin vision
Jack Dorsey, a passionate advocate of blockchain technology, has long envisioned a decentralized payment future. Square’s launch fits naturally within his broader strategy for Block Inc., aligning with the company’s earlier announcements about expanding Bitcoin services by 2026. Dorsey had previously integrated Bitcoin trading and peer-to-peer crypto transfers into Cash App, another Block product, helping millions of users buy and send digital assets with ease.
In addition, Dorsey has led initiatives to create an open-source Bitcoin mining system aimed at reducing energy costs and supporting decentralized mining innovation. Block Inc. currently holds 8,692 BTC in its reserves, ranking as the 13th-largest public Bitcoin holder globally, reaffirming the company’s firm belief in the long-term value of cryptocurrencies.
Crypto payments gaining new momentum
The re-emergence of cryptocurrency as a payment method highlights a broader shift in the financial ecosystem. The United States’ regulatory environment has become more favorable, and consumer confidence in digital assets is rising. According to research by eMarketer, U.S. crypto payment usage is expected to grow by 82% between 2024 and 2026, showing powerful momentum for crypto-based commerce.
A recent YouGov survey found that consumers in both the U.S. and U.K. are viewing crypto as one of the most practical payment innovations. The integration of artificial intelligence is also driving this shift, AI-powered tools are increasingly capable of handling financial transactions, including crypto transfers. Google’s introduction of its Agent Payments Protocol is one example, enabling stablecoin transactions through AI systems and placing cryptocurrency at the heart of the AI-driven economy.
Meanwhile, PayPal continues to expand its crypto peer-to-peer offerings, allowing users to send and receive funds in Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and the company’s native dollar-backed stablecoin PYUSD. These parallel developments among major financial players reflect how blockchain is no longer a niche technology, it’s becoming foundational to modern payment networks.
The path forward for crypto adoption
Square’s Bitcoin payments solution is more than a feature; it’s a signal that the future of digital commerce is here. For merchants, accepting Bitcoin provides a new way to attract crypto-aware consumers while enjoying low fees and instant access to their assets through the platform’s built-in wallet system.
As global merchants and tech giants continue exploring blockchain-based payments, Square’s initiative marks a major step toward integrating Bitcoin into everyday economic activity. With strong leadership from Jack Dorsey and a growing demand for digital-first financial tools, crypto adoption is set to accelerate rapidly, making Bitcoin payments an essential part of the next generation of finance and commerce.
For the expanding crypto pur community and the broader blockchain world, Square’s launch signals a future where digital currencies and fiat coexist seamlessly in both local stores and online platforms.
