Square Enables 1 Million U.S. Merchants to Accept Bitcoin
The push tests whether a Bitcoin option built into everyday checkout can spur real-world spending.
Overview
- Square auto-enrolled eligible U.S. sellers for Bitcoin payments, with activations peaking at about one new business every eight seconds.
- Payments run over the Lightning Network, which moves small Bitcoin transactions quickly, while Square converts them so sellers receive U.S. dollars by default.
- Square is adding tap-to-pay using NFC to remove QR codes and is waiving processing fees for Bitcoin tap-to-pay through 2026 to make checkout feel like a card tap.
- Block reported 28,355.05 BTC in its Q1 2026 proof-of-reserves, a point-in-time disclosure meant to show holdings rather than serve as a full audit.
- Wider availability does not guarantee use at the register, since actual uptake will hinge on fees, tax rules, buyer habits, and whether merchants keep the feature turned on.