Bitcoin integrated into Square: 4 million merchants ready for cryptocurrency payments

Block, the parent company of Square, has just opened the doors to the Bitcoin ecosystem for millions of merchants. The payment network now supports Bitcoin transactions via the Lightning Network technology, allowing over 4 million merchants to accept this cryptocurrency without processing fees until 2027.

An open door for mainstream adoption

The implementation comes with complete flexibility: businesses can receive their payments directly in Bitcoin or instantly convert them to fiat currency as needed. This feature removes one of the biggest hurdles for business adoption: the volatility and conversion complexity between cryptocurrencies and traditional money.

Jack Dorsey, a key figure in developing this initiative, recognizes its transformative potential. As an industry observer and Bitcoin advocate, his vision aligns with the belief that cryptocurrencies should serve as practical tools for commerce, not just as investment assets.

Impact on two fronts: on-chain and off-chain

The move promises to energize multiple layers of the Bitcoin ecosystem. By reducing friction in retail payments, an increase in Lightning Network (off-chain) faster and cheaper transactions is expected, as well as activity recorded on the main chain (on-chain). This move could be the catalyst that takes Bitcoin from a niche financial asset to a common payment infrastructure.

The fact that there are no fees until 2027 indicates a long-term commitment to the economic viability of this model. For merchants, this presents an opportunity to experiment with Bitcoin without cost pressures.

What’s next

Block’s integration is not an isolated act but part of a broader trend of institutions adopting Bitcoin as a means of payment. If it achieves merchant density and sustained transactions, it could reshape how global retail commerce perceives and uses cryptocurrencies.