Square Launches 0% Fee Bitcoin Payments Program

Core Insights - Square, a unit of Block Inc., has launched Square Bitcoin, a platform enabling over four million US merchants to accept and manage Bitcoin within their existing systems, marking a shift towards integrating digital assets into everyday business operations [1][2] Group 1: Product Features - Square Bitcoin integrates payments, conversions, and custody into a single interface, allowing merchants to accept Bitcoin at checkout and convert up to 50 percent of daily sales into Bitcoin [2] - The platform will begin processing transactions on November 10, 2025, with zero fees for the first year to encourage merchants to adopt the service without financial barriers [2][3] Group 2: Market Impact - The launch is seen as a pivotal moment for merchants, as it aims to make Bitcoin transactions as seamless as traditional card payments, indicating a shift in perception of Bitcoin from a niche investment to a daily settlement tool [3] - Industry analysts predict that the integration could catalyze wider Bitcoin adoption, with eMarketer forecasting an 82 percent increase in US crypto-payment users from 2024 to 2026 due to simplified merchant tools [4] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Square's entry into the crypto payments space intensifies competition, as other companies like PayPal, Stripe, and Visa are also exploring digital currency transactions and on-chain settlements [5] - By offering native Bitcoin support and instant fiat conversion, Square may encourage competitors to move beyond stablecoins and adopt decentralized payment systems [5]