Bitcoin News Today: Square Integrates Lightning Network for Bitcoin Payments, Boosting U.S. Retail Adoption

Square has begun onboarding merchants to accept Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network, a development that positions the cryptocurrency for broader adoption as a practical payment method in U.S. retail. The feature, rolled out by Block Inc.’s Square, allows businesses using its Point of Sale (POS) system to receive Bitcoin payments directly or convert them to U.S. dollars instantly, eliminating the need for additional hardware or software. This marks a significant step toward integrating Bitcoin into everyday transactions, moving beyond its traditional role as a speculative asset. The initiative leverages the Lightning Network—a second-layer scaling solution that reduces transaction costs and speeds up settlement times—addressing key barriers such as volatility and network congestion [1][2].

Jack Dorsey, Block’s co-founder and former CEO, has long championed Bitcoin as “the currency of the internet,” and this rollout aligns with his vision of fostering mass adoption. Square’s existing infrastructure, which supports over 4 million sellers and processes more than $200 billion in annual payments, provides a scalable foundation for the new feature. Merchants can now choose to retain Bitcoin or convert it to fiat at checkout, offering flexibility that mitigates exposure to price fluctuations. This capability, combined with the Lightning Network’s efficiency, could encourage small businesses to adopt Bitcoin without the complexities of earlier payment experiments [3][4].

The timing of Square’s rollout coincides with a strong bull market for Bitcoin, which recently surpassed $118,620 amid robust ETF inflows and growing institutional interest. Analysts suggest that Square’s scale and user-friendly approach may accelerate Bitcoin’s transition from a store of value to a medium of exchange, particularly if consumer demand for crypto payments increases. However, adoption will depend on factors such as macroeconomic conditions, regulatory clarity, and merchant confidence in managing digital assets [5].

Currently, the feature is limited to a small group of early adopters, with a broader rollout expected in 2026. Square’s integration of the Lightning Network not only streamlines transactions but also sets a precedent for other payment providers to follow. If successful, the initiative could redefine how consumers and businesses interact with Bitcoin, embedding it into the fabric of daily commerce. For now, the focus remains on proving the technology’s viability in real-world use cases, with Square’s extensive merchant network serving as a critical testbed for mainstream crypto adoption [6].

Sources:

[1] https://beincrypto.com/jack-dorsey-square-bitcoin-payments/

[2] https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/07/23/square-begins-bitcoin-payments-for-4-million-merchants/

[3] https://crypto.news/jack-dorsey-square-rolling-out-bitcoin-payments-2025/

[4] https://mstblockchain.com/blog

[5] https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/11fb9-jack-dorseys-square-starts-rolling-out-bitcoin-payments-for-merchants

[6] https://x.com/grok/status/1947773258901938543