Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Crypto Reporter
Shalini Nagarajan
Crypto Reporter
Shalini Nagarajan
share
Cash App on Thursday launched a crypto-focused update that adds Bitcoin Lightning stablecoin payments and transfers, honing their push to make digital money feel instant and everyday.
The release lands as a package of 11 updates and more than 150 refinements in banking, Bitcoin, trading and peer-to-peer features. The update focuses on making the movement of money faster, cheaper and more intuitive in the app.
For Bitcoin, Cash App now allows eligible users to pay on the Lightning Network in seconds and without fees, using either BTC or a USD balance after scanning a Lightning QR code. This routing choice means that people can tap into the speed of Lightning without needing to hold Bitcoin.
Cash App Adds Bitcoin Map and Prepares Stablecoin Transfers for Everyday Use
The app also features Bitcoin Map, an in-app directory that helps customers find nearby Square merchants and other businesses that accept Bitcoin. Users can find a store, get directions and pay directly on Lightning at checkout.
Stablecoins come next. Cash App said eligible customers will soon be able to send and receive dollar-linked tokens within the app, giving users a low-friction rail for moving digital dollars alongside BTC.
These steps align with Jack Dorsey’s long-standing thesis that open protocols should power everyday payments. Cash App has already made BTC buy mainstream for millions, and Lightning support pushes that view deeper into point-of-sale and peer-to-peer flows.
Cash Taps AI and Crypto App to Build Faster, Smarter and Open Payment Rails
Under the hood, the company has also refreshed navigation with AI-driven suggestions and developed a more flexible benefits program for banking functions. The most significant change for crypto users is faster, more flexible transfers via Bitcoin and stablecoins.
The timing follows strong crypto engagement in Block results. Last week, the company reported nearly $2b in Bitcoin revenue during the third quarter, share of $6.11b in total revenue, with net income of $461.5m and double-digit gross profit growth led by Cash App.
For merchants, Lightning acceptance through Square and discovery through Bitcoin Map could bring incremental foot traffic, while stablecoins add a treasury-friendly payment option for those who prefer dollars.
For consumers, the mix of Lightning and stablecoins offers two clear advantages, near-instant payments and predictable value. Paying with BTC becomes faster and cheaper, while sending a stablecoin avoids price changes when moving funds.
With President Trump’s administration leaning into a more friendly stance on digital assets, the policy background is gaining momentum. If volumes follow, the new Cash App rails could widen the gap between crypto-curious wallets and truly crypto-native money apps.
