Cash App Expands Crypto Features with Instant Bitcoin Payments and Stablecoin Support

TLDR

• Cash App enables instant Bitcoin payments via USD conversion using the Lightning Network.
• New feature lets users pay in Bitcoin without holding it in their account.
• Cash App’s Bitcoin Map helps locate businesses accepting Bitcoin nearby.
• Stablecoin support allows global transactions with automatic USD conversion.
• Cash App aims for self-custody solutions, with plans for a Bitkey wallet in 2026.

Cash App has rolled out an update to enhance its cryptocurrency features, offering instant Bitcoin payments and stablecoin support. This update, part of Cash App’s broader push into crypto, is designed to make digital currencies more accessible for both users and merchants.

Instant Bitcoin Payments for All Users

One of the key features of the update is the ability for Cash App users to make Bitcoin payments at checkout, even if they do not hold any Bitcoin. This is made possible through a new feature called Bitcoin Payments with USD. Users can now pay in Bitcoin by having Cash App automatically convert their USD balance into Bitcoin for the transaction. The conversion happens via the Lightning Network, a technology designed to enable faster and cheaper Bitcoin transactions.

This feature allows Cash App’s 58 million users to engage in Bitcoin payments without the need to manage or hold any Bitcoin in their accounts. Importantly, the new system does not impact users’ Bitcoin holdings or trigger taxable Bitcoin sales, a move that simplifies the process for casual users.

Bitcoin Map: Finding Bitcoin-Ready Businesses

In addition to instant Bitcoin payments, Cash App has introduced the Bitcoin Map, a tool that helps users locate nearby businesses that accept Bitcoin. This feature allows users to directly pay for goods and services through the app, supporting local economies that accept digital currency.

Along with Bitcoin updates, Cash App has expanded its offerings to include support for stablecoins. Users can now send and receive stablecoins globally, with incoming stablecoins automatically converted into US dollars. This feature aims to provide a more stable value for cross-border transactions, bridging traditional finance and decentralized digital money.

Miles Suter, the head of Bitcoin at Block Inc., stated that Cash App is working toward making Bitcoin practical for both shoppers and merchants. In the long term, the company aims to provide self-custody options for users, allowing them to hold their digital assets independently. A new Bitkey wallet, along with an automatic transfer feature for self-custody, is expected to launch in 2026.

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