Square Tests Bitcoin Lightning Payments via POS Terminals

Compass Coffee accepts bitcoin via Square terminal, pioneering digital payments.

The Washington-based coffee chain Compass Coffee has become the first enterprise globally to accept digital gold through a Square cash register terminal.

Big moves today — just deployed the first Square terminal in the world accepting bitcoin.

Thank you @jack ! Cannot wait to see this come to Square devices worldwide soon.

Tested on a huge range of wallets, all worked seamlessly. The beauty of open standards. ⚡️

Thanks… pic.twitter.com/QxigKGIao7

— Compass Coffee (@CompassCoffeeDC) October 15, 2025

Early customers have already been able to pay for coffee using the Lightning Network. Michael Haft, co-founder of Compass Coffee, noted that “all transactions were instantaneous.” 

“Bitcoin payments are not new. But the fact that Square has made this process as simple as regular transactions for a local business like ours is truly groundbreaking. I set up the wallet in about two minutes, and now the system works alongside the usual credit cards and cash we’ve been using for over 10 years,” he added. 

The fintech service from Block introduced an integrated solution for digital gold payments on October 8. It was first announced in May. 

The pilot project with Compass Coffee marks the first real-world application of Square’s new system. 

Starting November 10, retail businesses will be able to accept bitcoin and convert up to 50% of daily revenue into cryptocurrency. Until 2027, the service will not charge fees; thereafter, a 1% transaction fee will apply. 

In August, Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, began accepting cryptocurrencies for spaceflight payments. The firm supports bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and stablecoins USDT and USDC.

In July, payment giant PayPal announced the launch of crypto payments for businesses in the United States.