Cash App Lets Dollar Balances Pay Bitcoin Wallets via Lightning

Published at 2025-11-13 16:19:45

Cash App has rolled out a feature that allows users to send their dollar cash balances straight to Bitcoin wallets using the Lightning Network, a Layer 2 scaling solution. Customers can effectively pay with their regular fiat balance while recipients receive Bitcoin over Lightning, combining familiar payment rails with faster, lower-cost BTC settlement.

The integration lowers a key barrier for merchant adoption by simplifying checkout and removing the need for customers to pre-purchase crypto. By bridging fiat balances and Lightning payments, Cash App may drive broader use of Layer 2 for commerce and remittances, increasing on‑ramp utility for Bitcoin. The change also raises operational questions for businesses around custody and settlement choices, but represents a notable step toward mainstream crypto payments.

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Russian authorities are considering legalizing payments with fiat‑pegged stablecoins while moving to prohibit traditional cryptocurrencies for payment use. Stablecoin transactions could be governed by a dedicated legal framework to follow broader crypto legislation.

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Published at 2026-03-04 11:01:08

Ex-OpenAI Researcher’s Hedge Fund Makes $5.52B Bitcoin Mining Bets

Leopold Aschenbrenner’s Situational Awareness LP disclosed $5.52 billion in equity exposure concentrated in power infrastructure, data centers and Bitcoin mining companies, an SEC filing shows. The rapid build-up in under a year signals rising institutional conviction in mining and related infrastructure.

DataCentersBitcoinHedgeFundsEnergyInfrastructureBitcoinMiningSEC

Published at 2026-03-04 10:30:46

Paraguay Turns 1,500 Seized Rigs Into State-Led Bitcoin Mining Program

Paraguay’s state utility ANDE will relaunch 1,500 confiscated Bitcoin mining rigs in partnership with Morphware, running them on surplus hydroelectric power under direct government supervision. The program aims to repurpose seized equipment and generate public revenue while testing a state-run mining model.

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Published at 2026-03-04 09:00:16

U.S. Executes First 2026 Bitcoin Transfer From Government Wallet Amid Iran Crisis

On March 3, 2026, U.S. federal authorities moved a small amount of Bitcoin from a government-controlled wallet, the first blockchain-recorded Bitcoin transaction by the U.S. this year. The transfer was logged on-chain amid heightened tensions around Iran.

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Published at 2026-03-04 07:30:13

Core Scientific to Sell Most of 2,500 BTC to Fund AI Data Centers

Core Scientific plans to sell most of its 2,500 BTC in Q1 2026 to boost liquidity and finance AI-focused data center buildouts. The move underscores a broader industry shift as public bitcoin miners pivot toward high-performance computing.