Bitcoin News Today: Block Inc. Pilots Lightning Network Bitcoin Payments as S&P 500 Inclusion Drives 8% Stock Rally

Block Inc., the rebranded entity formerly known as Square Inc., has initiated a pilot program enabling merchants to accept Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network, a move that coincides with the company’s recent inclusion in the S&P 500 index. The feature, announced in May and now being tested with a select group of sellers, allows businesses using Square’s Point of Sale (POS) system to receive Bitcoin directly or convert it to U.S. dollars instantly through existing hardware [3]. This integration aims to reduce transaction costs and improve speed, leveraging the Lightning Network’s layer-2 solution to address scalability and volatility concerns [2]. Block’s executive officer, Owen Jennings, confirmed the onboarding of early adopters for the “native Bitcoin acceptance experience” on X, emphasizing the platform’s potential to empower small businesses [3].

Jack Dorsey, Block’s co-founder and former CEO, has long positioned Bitcoin as the “currency of the internet,” aligning with his broader vision of mainstream crypto adoption. Square’s infrastructure, which supports over 4 million merchants and processes $200 billion annually in payments, offers a scalable foundation for this initiative [3]. Merchants can now retain Bitcoin or convert it to fiat at checkout, mitigating exposure to price swings. The Lightning Network’s efficiency, which enables near-instantaneous transactions at lower fees, could lower barriers for small businesses hesitant to adopt crypto [2].

Block’s inclusion in the S&P 500 has already driven a notable stock rally, with shares up over 8% following the index addition and rising 14% in the past week [4]. Analysts suggest that Square’s user-friendly approach and extensive merchant network may accelerate Bitcoin’s transition from speculative asset to practical payment method, though adoption hinges on macroeconomic stability, regulatory clarity, and merchant confidence [5]. The company’s shares, however, have fallen 8% since January 1, 2025, despite Bitcoin’s 26% year-to-date gain and a current price of $118,620 [3].

The rollout remains limited to a small cohort of early adopters, with a wider deployment expected in 2026. Square’s initiative could set a precedent for other payment providers, embedding Bitcoin into daily commerce if the technology proves viable in real-world use cases. The broader implications for the crypto ecosystem remain uncertain, but regulatory developments and institutional interest in Bitcoin ETFs may further shape its trajectory as a payment tool [7].

Sources:

[1] [Bitcoin News Today: Square Integrates Lightning Network](https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-square-integrates-lightning-network-bitcoin-payments-boosting-retail-adoption-2507)

[2] [Jack Dorsey's Square Rolls Out Bitcoin Payments For ...](https://financefeeds.com/jack-dorseys-square-rolls-out-bitcoin-payments/)

[3] [Square Begins Bitcoin Payments for Sellers as Block Stock ...](https://decrypt.co/331494/square-bitcoin-payments-sellers-block-stock-hits-sp-500)

[4] [Block Inc. Shares Rally After Joining S&P 500 Index](https://www.alphaspread.com/market-news/stock-movements/block-inc-shares-rally-after-joining-sp-500-index)

[5] [Block's S&P 500 Leap: A Crypto-Powered Rocket for ...](https://ragingbull.com/editorial/blocks-sp-500-leap-a-crypto-powered-rocket-for-investors/)

[6] [Block created by Jack Dorsey…Added to S&P 500](https://bloomingbit.io/en/feed/news/93324)

[7] [Jack Dorsey's Block Joins S&P 500 Stock Index](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-23/jack-dorsey-s-tech-vision-in-spotlight-as-block-enters-s-p-500)