Join us in New York on September 29-October 1 for our next Payments Boot Camp and Advanced Payments workshop!
A leading payments industry news source for more than 17 years. Glenbrook curates the news and keeps you abreast of the important daily headlines in payments.
Search Payments News
July 8, 2026
On the web
Block to Pay $45M for Enabling Fraud and Misleading Cash App Users
FX News Group
"New York Attorney General Letitia James and 45 other attorneys secured $45 million from Block, Inc, (Cash App), for failing to protect users from scams and fraud. Block must implement changes to protect users from fraud, ensure users have access to live customer service agents, and stop all misleading marketing. An investigation found that Block misled Cash App users with advertising that falsely implied the app worked like a bank with the same protections for customers’ funds that banks have. Block lacked a consistent fraud detection system..."
June 12, 2026
On the web
Square Financial Services Introduces 3.50% APY High Yield Savings for Square Sellers
Block
"Square Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Block, Inc. announced the launch of Square High Yield Savings, a new deposit tier that pays 3.50% APY to Square sellers who maintain a daily balance of $10,000 or more in their Square Savings account. The rate is more than eight times the national average savings account rate."
Cash App Launches $40 Mobile Virtual Operator (MVNO) to Deepen Fintech Ecosystem
Tech Buzz
"Cash App, owned by Block, is jumping into the mobile carrier business with a $40-per-month unlimited 5G plan. The move mirrors Klarna's 2025 playbook almost perfectly. It's rolling out to select users now, with broader availability coming in the next few months as the fintech giant tries to become the everything app for its user base. Cash App just became the latest fintech company to bet that your phone bill belongs in your banking app."
June 11, 2026
On the web
The Rise of the Modern Earner Economy
Block
"For a growing number of Americans, income no longer exclusively comes from one employer or one predictable paycheck. In a new white paper, The Modern Earner Economy: How Changes in Earning Are Reshaping Financial Services, Cash App shares insights from customer data and survey research. Among Cash App monthly actives, 70% earn income beyond a traditional paycheck - whether driving, freelancing, selling, creating content, running side businesses, holding multiple jobs, and building income across platforms."
May 27, 2026
On the web
Block’s Cash App Rolls Out USDC Payments to 15 Million Users This Week
Crypto Briefing
"Cash App became one of the largest consumer platforms to offer stablecoin payments. Block began rolling out USDC send-and-receive functionality to roughly 15 million users on May 27, covering about 25% of its nearly 60 million monthly active users. The feature settles transactions on the Solana blockchain and lets users instantly convert USDC to their existing USD Cash balance. Anyone, not just other Cash App users, can send USDC to a Cash App account using a standard Solana wallet address."
May 22, 2026
On the web
Jack Dorsey on Intelligence, Velocity, and the Next Chapter for Block at J.P. Morgan
Block
"At the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference this week, Block Co-Founder and CEO Jack Dorsey joined J.P. Morgan’s Tien-Tsin Huang for a conversation about how Block is evolving into an intelligence company and how that shift is already driving faster execution across Square and Cash App."
April 28, 2026
On the web
Block Launches Bitkey Wallet With Screen, Automatic Bitcoin Earning on Cash App, and Proof of Reserves
Block
"Block announced the launch of a Bitkey hardware wallet with a secure screen, alongside new Cash App features for earning bitcoin automatically, and Proof of Reserves across Block’s corporate treasury bitcoin holdings, and Cash App and Square customer holdings. The screen does more than verify transactions. It's the physical surface through which customers verify and authorize every security-critical operation in the wallet."
April 27, 2026
On the web
Cash App Is Targeting a New Kind of Customer: 6- To 12-Year-Olds
TechCrunch
"Cash App believes it has found a promising new demographic: children. The company is expanding its youth-focused services in an effort to build a relationship with Gen Alpha and the upcoming generation of adolescents in the U.S. The new program will let parents create financial accounts for children between the ages of six and 12. The children won’t have access to the app; accounts will be managed by their parents. The children, meanwhile, will receive a debit card linked to the accounts that they can use."
April 22, 2026
On the web
Uber and Block Expand Global Partnership to Transform Restaurant Operations and Launch Cash App Pay
Block
"Block, Inc. announced a global partnership with Uber Technologies, Inc. that expands restaurant operations capabilities across multiple markets and payment flexibility in the U.S. Square's native Uber Eats integration builds on its current availability in the U.S., to include planned expansion to Canada, Australia, U.K., Ireland, France, and Spain. In addition, Cash App Pay will become available as a payment option across both Uber Eats and Uber in the U.S."
April 9, 2026
On the web
Block Introduces Managerbot, a Proactive Square AI Agent
Venture Beat
Block unveiled Managerbot, a new AI agent embedded in the Square platform that proactively monitors a seller's business, identifies emerging problems, and proposes actionable solutions — without the seller ever having to ask a question. The product marks the most tangible manifestation of CEO Jack Dorsey's controversial bet that artificial intelligence can fundamentally reshape how his company operates, builds products, and serves the millions of small businesses that depend on Square to run day-to-day commerce.
April 3, 2026
On the web
Cash App Unveils P2P Pay Over Time With 7.5% Fee
NewsBytes
"Cash App just dropped a new pay-over-time feature, letting users split peer-to-peer payments over several weeks instead of paying all at once. If you're sending $25 or more, there's a 7.5% fee, and you can pay back weekly or in one go after six weeks."
March 18, 2026
On the web
Square's 2026 Local Economy Report Reveals the Neighborhood Network Effect
Block
"Square published its 2026 Local Economy Report report, a first-of-its-kind analysis revealing how "regulars" and the neighborhood networks they create are the backbone of thriving local economies. The report reveals that regular customers drive 6x more revenue for local businesses and unpacks the patterns and trends in their spending. This includes regulars making predictable purchases, tipping more generously, and prioritizing in-person experiences, which ultimately creates the steady demand businesses rely on during periods of economic uncertainty."
February 12, 2026
On the web
Cash App to Sell Its Credit Score
Yahoo Finance - Payments Dive
"Digital payments company Block is working to expand the reach of its internal Cash App credit scores, betting that lenders will pay for more data about non-traditional payments and installment loans. A company spokesperson said Block will charge for the scores, but declined to reveal pricing."
February 11, 2026
On the web
Jack Dorsey’s Cash App Eliminates Fees on Large Bitcoin Purchases and Recurring Buys
Crypto Briefing
"Jack Dorsey-backed Cash App is eliminating fees on Bitcoin purchases exceeding $2,000 and all recurring buys, according to a recent announcement. The policy change, which targets both transaction fees and spreads, is part of a set of Bitcoin-focused updates aimed at making the leading digital asset more practical for everyday use, the team stated."
February 5, 2026
On the web
Block Expands OpenIP with Bitkey and Proto Patents: Advancing Open Hardware Innovation
Block
"Block announced the expansion of Block's OpenIP initiative to include patents related to Bitkey, our bitcoin self-custody hardware wallet, and Proto, our brand of bitcoin mining products and services, furthering our commitment to open innovation in hardware development. This expansion builds on our initial OpenIP announcement from October 2025, where we established our approach to intellectual property that puts builders first."
January 20, 2026
On the web
Block, Inc. Surpasses $200 Billion in Credit Provided to Customers, Continuing to Address Global Lending Gaps
Block, Inc.
"Block, Inc. announced it has provided access to more than $200 billion to customers in global lending across its portfolio of credit products, including Cash App Borrow, Afterpay, and Square Loans.¹ Through this work, Block is proving that with the right technology, inclusive lending and responsible risk management aren't opposing forces; rather, they're the foundation of sustainable credit for the next generation."
January 15, 2026
On the web
Afterpay Data Reveals 96% of U.S. Customers Paid Off Black Friday Cyber Monday Purchases Early or On Time
Block
"Afterpay announced that 96% of its U.S. Pay-in-4 customers who shopped during the 2025 Black Friday and Cyber Monday period paid off their purchases early or on time. The data reflects a broader trend of consumers using Afterpay as a tool to manage holiday spending responsibly—without the burden of interest charges or revolving debt that often accompany traditional credit card purchases."
December 2, 2025
On the web
Block Processes 124 Million Transactions as Americans Shop Local This Black Friday, Cyber Monday
Block
"Block, Inc. released its Black Friday, Cyber Monday results, revealing a shift toward local spending as Americans focus on neighborhood economies. Data indicates Block handled more than 124 million transactions across Square, Cash App, and Afterpay over the four-day shopping period, reflecting a 10% increase from last year."
November 25, 2025
On the web
Cash App Debuts a New AI Assistant That Answers Questions About Your Finances
TechCrunch
"Cash App released a slate of new features as part of its fall update, including an AI chatbot that can answer questions about users’ finances, a new benefits program, and the ability to discover places that accept Bitcoin payments and make Bitcoin payments using USD."
November 19, 2025
On the web
Cash App Score Pilot Launches Utilizing Near Real-time Data
Block
"Cash App, a part of Block, Inc., announced a pilot program that gives select customers visibility into their Cash App Score, a near real-time measure of a Cash App customer’s financial health. The experience shows customers the score that informs their access to Cash App Borrow and empowers them to better understand how their everyday Cash App financial activity influences the score. Customers are then able to take actions within the app to strengthen their Score."
Afterpay and Cash App Bring Pay Over Time to Anywhere Visa® is Accepted
Block
"Cash App announced the upcoming pilot launch of Afterpay on Cash App Card, a new feature that allows eligible Cash App Card holders to turn their upcoming online or in-store transaction into a pay-over-time purchase anywhere Visa is accepted, through the issuance of a new Visa Debit Flex Card. This launch will unite Cash App Card features like no hidden fees, fraud protection, and custom weekly offers with a new pay-over-time option through one new intuitive card."
November 18, 2025
On the web
Cash App Debuts a New AI Assistant That Answers Questions About Your Finances
TechCrunch
"Cash App released a slate of new features as part of its fall update, including an AI chatbot that can answer questions about users’ finances, a new benefits program, and the ability to discover places that accept Bitcoin payments and make Bitcoin payments using USD. The company is launching an assistant called Moneybot that can answer questions about spending patterns and income, and provide insights for maintaining savings and setting aside money for investments."
On the wires
Block Launches 'Bitcoin is Everyday Money' Campaign, Calls for De Minimis Tax Reform
Business Wire
"Block, Inc. launched "Bitcoin is Everyday Money," a campaign advocating for a de minimis tax exemption that would modernize how bitcoin is treated under U.S. tax law. Nearly 50 million Americans currently own bitcoin. Starting November 10, 2025, millions of Square sellers in the U.S. became eligible to accept bitcoin at the point of sale. Today, under current tax rules, bitcoin is classified as property, meaning every purchase - from a cup of coffee to a group dinner - could trigger a taxable event."
November 13, 2025
On the wires
Introducing Cash App Releases: See What’s New
Business Wire
"Cash App has rolled out 11 product updates and made more than 150 improvements to meet the way that millions of people earn, manage, and share money. The brand’s first-ever bundled release includes more flexible banking* benefits, AI-powered navigation, the ability to send and receive stablecoins, and more - all underpinned by robust safety features"
November 11, 2025
On the web
Jack Dorsey's Block Enables Bitcoin Payments for Millions of Square Sellers
Decrypt
"Block, the payments infrastructure firm led by Jack Dorsey, has enabled Bitcoin payments for 4 million merchants globally using the Square Bitcoin feature of its point-of-sale platform. The integration allows merchants to accept Bitcoin at checkout with instant settlement via Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, with no fees until 2027. Sellers can automatically convert a portion of their daily card sales into Bitcoin as well."
October 14, 2025
On the web
Block’s New Payments Push Takes Direct Aim at Credit Card Network Fees
Card Rates
"Financial services provider and technology company Block is making a push to motivate more merchants to use its services ahead of the annual surge in spending that occurs over the holiday season. The company is offering merchants a 1% rate for payment processing charges on all orders that users place via Block’s Cash App tool, according to a recent Bloomberg report. The company is also introducing solutions that help merchants extend rewards to customers and accept payments shoppers make in Bitcoin."
September 10, 2025
On the web
Empowering the Next Generation: How Cash App Is Building Safe Financial Access for Teens
Block
"Cash App's teen product goes beyond basic banking. Access to a broad suite of financial products helps teens build practical financial experience in a controlled environment. With sponsorship, teens aged 13-17 can: send and receive money with other teens and verified adults; use a customizable debit card; build savings; start investing in stocks and bitcoin; manage direct deposits from jobs; deposit cash when needed."
August 14, 2025
On the web
Block Unveils Proto Rig and Proto Fleet, Marking a New Era in Bitcoin Mining
Block
"Block, Inc. unveiled Proto Rig, a first-of-its-kind modular bitcoin mining system, and Proto Fleet, a free and open-source fleet management software. The announcement, made during an event held at Proto customer Core Scientific's facility in Dalton, GA, where Proto Rigs are mining as part of their fleet, represents a significant step toward decentralizing bitcoin mining hardware, opening access to more builders, and increasing network resiliency."
July 29, 2025
On the wires
Cash App Launches Pools for Group Payments
Business Wire
"Cash App announced the launch of pools, a new peer-to-peer payment feature that enables group payments with just a few taps. From friends planning their next big vacation to coworkers chipping in for a colleague’s wedding gift, Cash App pools make it easy to manage payments and track shared goals in one place. Pools supports contributions directly through Cash App as well as via Apple Pay and Google Pay. Pools are currently available to a select group of Cash App customers, with broader availability planned in the coming months."
July 25, 2025
On the web
Square Launches Data Driven Cash Advances In The UK
Block
"Square announced the launch of Square Cash Advance in the UK, meaning businesses can access simple funding to grow their business and keep operations running smoothly. Whether a restaurant owner, retail merchant, or beauty salon, fast and easy access to funds helps sellers manage daily expenses without delay and with no interest – just a simple, upfront funding cost."
Take us with you
Payments on Fire is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, and other podcast apps and services. Or just say, “Alexa, play Payments on Fire podcast.”