Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) began automatically enabling bitcoin payments for eligible U.S. sellers on Monday, expanding crypto use in everyday commerce.
The rollout allows millions of small businesses to accept bitcoin without additional setup, marking a significant shift in how digital assets integrate into payment systems.
The company said sellers can accept bitcoin while receiving U.S. dollars instantly at checkout. Consequently, merchants avoid exposure to crypto price swings. The system also removes the need for custody or accounting changes.
Additionally, the feature offers near-instant settlement and zero processing fees through 2026. The company confirmed the rollout in a post on X. It described the update as automatic for eligible sellers already using Square’s infrastructure.
Jack Dorsey, chief executive of Block, acknowledged the launch with a brief confirmation online. Meanwhile, the company’s bitcoin product lead indicated the move aims to simplify adoption at scale. He suggested the change removes friction for businesses that previously avoided crypto payments.
However, the system converts bitcoin to fiat immediately, meaning merchants do not hold the digital asset. This approach lowers risk while maintaining exposure to crypto-enabled customers. Additionally, it keeps the payment experience familiar for both buyers and sellers.
The rollout builds on Block’s broader “Square Bitcoin” initiative announced earlier. Previously, merchants needed to opt in to accept bitcoin. Now, the feature integrates directly into existing payment workflows.
In addition, the company said its user base remains heavily concentrated in the United States. About 78 per cent of Square users are domestic, while 22 per cent operate internationally. This distribution could influence how quickly bitcoin payments scale globally.
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Jack Dorsey favors bitcoin over stablecoins
Meanwhile, competitors continue expanding their own digital payment strategies. PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) recently pushed its USD-backed stablecoin, PYUSD, to users across 70 markets. The move reflects growing demand for digital payment alternatives tied to traditional currencies.
However, Dorsey has historically favored bitcoin over stablecoins. He has expressed skepticism toward fiat-pegged tokens in the past. Still, he recently acknowledged that customer demand may require broader support.
Additionally, industry observers have begun comparing the rollout to foundational shifts in internet infrastructure. David Marcus, chief executive of Lightspark and former PayPal president, described the move as potentially transformative. He suggested bitcoin could function as a base layer for transferring value, similar to how internet protocols enabled data exchange.
Furthermore, Marcus argued that widespread bitcoin payments could standardize how money moves across platforms. He compared the development to early internet protocols that allowed different systems to communicate seamlessly. Consequently, bitcoin could evolve into a shared financial framework.
Square’s approach reflects a broader trend toward hiding crypto complexity from users. Instead of requiring technical knowledge, systems now handle conversions automatically in the background. This shift lowers barriers for businesses that previously rejected digital assets.
Additionally, integrating bitcoin into existing tools expands its reach beyond crypto-native audiences. Square’s platform already supports payments, inventory management and payroll for millions of businesses. Embedding bitcoin into these systems increases its practical use cases.
However, adoption still depends on long-term infrastructure and user behavior. Company executives noted that building bitcoin as everyday money will take time. They indicated that further steps remain necessary to ensure sustainable growth.
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