Cash App, the mobile payment platform owned by Block Inc, has rolled out a series of cryptocurrency updates designed to make instant payments easier for its users. The new features allow individuals to conduct Bitcoin transactions without actually owning the cryptocurrency and, for the first time, send and receive stablecoins directly within the app.
The Bitcoin Payments with USD feature automatically converts US dollars from a user’s balance into Bitcoin for the recipient via the Lightning Network, making cryptocurrency payments accessible to all 58 million Cash App users without impacting their own Bitcoin holdings or triggering tax events.
Additionally, Cash App has introduced Bitcoin Map, an interactive tool helping users locate businesses that accept Bitcoin and pay seamlessly through the app. The company notes that this initiative supports local economies while promoting digital asset adoption.
In Q2 2023, Cash App reported $44 million in gross profit from Bitcoin sales totaling $2.4 billion, highlighting the growing role of cryptocurrency in the platform’s ecosystem.
According to Miles Suter, head of the Bitcoin division at Block Inc, stablecoins serve as a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized money. He categorized them as “Money 1.5”, while Bitcoin is “Money 2.0”. Stablecoins enhance existing financial systems without competing with Bitcoin’s long-term decentralized goal.
Suter emphasized that the ultimate aim is to enable self-custody of funds:
“Access to fiat requires a centralized provider, but our long-term vision is complete user control. That’s why we developed Bitkey and are building automated transfers to self-custody, planned for 2026.”
In October 2025, Compass Coffee in Washington became the first business to test the new Bitcoin payment system on the Lightning Network via Square terminals, signaling real-world adoption of these instant crypto payments.
