Cash App Enables Dollar-to-Bitcoin Payments via Lightning Network
Cash App is rolling out a feature that lets customers pay in regular dollars while the platform routes the transaction over the Lightning Network and settles with merchants in Bitcoin. The service keeps the buyer experience in fiat at checkout while converting and delivering BTC to merchants, a move designed to shorten settlement times and reduce payment costs compared with traditional rails.
The change could meaningfully boost Lightning adoption by lowering merchant friction to accept crypto and increasing demand for Lightning liquidity. It also concentrates conversion and custody responsibilities with Cash App, so merchants avoid managing fiat-to-crypto flows but face volatility and compliance considerations. For Bitcoin payments infrastructure, this is a notable step toward mainstream utility and faster retail settlement.