Square Unveils AI Voice Ordering and Integrated Bitcoin Payment Solutions for Merchants

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

Starting in 2027, a 1% processing fee will apply. Additionally, Square launched an integrated Bitcoin wallet that allows merchants to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw Bitcoin from their Square dashboards, streamlining digital currency management. !-- wp:paragraph --> Previously, merchants could convert 1% to 10% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin. The new service expands this range up to 50%, reflecting growing confidence and adoption among Square users. Since inception, merchants have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million at the time of reporting. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

Demonstrating its commitment to cryptocurrency, Block co-founder Jack Dorsey’s company has introduced a comprehensive Bitcoin solution for merchants. This includes the ability to accept Bitcoin payments directly at Square point-of-sale terminals with no processing fees for the first year. !-- wp:paragraph --> Starting in 2027, a 1% processing fee will apply. Additionally, Square launched an integrated Bitcoin wallet that allows merchants to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw Bitcoin from their Square dashboards, streamlining digital currency management. !-- wp:paragraph --> Previously, merchants could convert 1% to 10% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin. The new service expands this range up to 50%, reflecting growing confidence and adoption among Square users. Since inception, merchants have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million at the time of reporting. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

Demonstrating its commitment to cryptocurrency, Block co-founder Jack Dorsey’s company has introduced a comprehensive Bitcoin solution for merchants. This includes the ability to accept Bitcoin payments directly at Square point-of-sale terminals with no processing fees for the first year. !-- wp:paragraph --> Starting in 2027, a 1% processing fee will apply. Additionally, Square launched an integrated Bitcoin wallet that allows merchants to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw Bitcoin from their Square dashboards, streamlining digital currency management. !-- wp:paragraph --> Previously, merchants could convert 1% to 10% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin. The new service expands this range up to 50%, reflecting growing confidence and adoption among Square users. Since inception, merchants have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million at the time of reporting. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

Building on its open beta launch earlier this year, Square’s AI assistant now offers merchants real-time local insights, including weather updates, nearby events, and relevant industry trends. This feature is designed to help businesses tailor their operations and promotional strategies accordingly. !-- wp:paragraph --> Merchants can also save AI-generated visualizations as auto-updating widgets on their dashboards, enabling continuous monitoring of key metrics. Additional functionalities include conversation history access and a mobile app dashboard, enhancing usability and data-driven decision-making on the go. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Square Expands Bitcoin Capabilities with Integrated Wallet and Zero-Fee Payments

Demonstrating its commitment to cryptocurrency, Block co-founder Jack Dorsey’s company has introduced a comprehensive Bitcoin solution for merchants. This includes the ability to accept Bitcoin payments directly at Square point-of-sale terminals with no processing fees for the first year. !-- wp:paragraph --> Starting in 2027, a 1% processing fee will apply. Additionally, Square launched an integrated Bitcoin wallet that allows merchants to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw Bitcoin from their Square dashboards, streamlining digital currency management. !-- wp:paragraph --> Previously, merchants could convert 1% to 10% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin. The new service expands this range up to 50%, reflecting growing confidence and adoption among Square users. Since inception, merchants have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million at the time of reporting. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

Building on its open beta launch earlier this year, Square’s AI assistant now offers merchants real-time local insights, including weather updates, nearby events, and relevant industry trends. This feature is designed to help businesses tailor their operations and promotional strategies accordingly. !-- wp:paragraph --> Merchants can also save AI-generated visualizations as auto-updating widgets on their dashboards, enabling continuous monitoring of key metrics. Additional functionalities include conversation history access and a mobile app dashboard, enhancing usability and data-driven decision-making on the go. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Square Expands Bitcoin Capabilities with Integrated Wallet and Zero-Fee Payments

Demonstrating its commitment to cryptocurrency, Block co-founder Jack Dorsey’s company has introduced a comprehensive Bitcoin solution for merchants. This includes the ability to accept Bitcoin payments directly at Square point-of-sale terminals with no processing fees for the first year. !-- wp:paragraph --> Starting in 2027, a 1% processing fee will apply. Additionally, Square launched an integrated Bitcoin wallet that allows merchants to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw Bitcoin from their Square dashboards, streamlining digital currency management. !-- wp:paragraph --> Previously, merchants could convert 1% to 10% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin. The new service expands this range up to 50%, reflecting growing confidence and adoption among Square users. Since inception, merchants have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million at the time of reporting. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

The AI assistant can process nuanced requests such as menu specials or dietary preferences, for example, “Make my food spicy, but don’t use any dairy.” This innovation aims to reduce wait times and improve order accuracy for delivery-focused businesses. !-- wp:paragraph --> Unlike competitors like Yelp and Kea, Square’s solution benefits from seamless integration with its existing payment and kiosk systems, simplifying order management and payment processing for merchants. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Expanded Restaurant Tools: Grubhub Integration and AI Inventory Management

Square also announced new integrations and tools to further support restaurant operations. These include:

• Grubhub integration to consolidate third-party delivery orders into Square’s platform.
• A redesigned kiosk interface providing quicker access to frequently used menu items.
• An AI-powered inventory management system to help optimize supply levels and reduce waste.

Square AI Assistant Upgrades Deliver Localized Insights and Enhanced Dashboard Features

Building on its open beta launch earlier this year, Square’s AI assistant now offers merchants real-time local insights, including weather updates, nearby events, and relevant industry trends. This feature is designed to help businesses tailor their operations and promotional strategies accordingly. !-- wp:paragraph --> Merchants can also save AI-generated visualizations as auto-updating widgets on their dashboards, enabling continuous monitoring of key metrics. Additional functionalities include conversation history access and a mobile app dashboard, enhancing usability and data-driven decision-making on the go. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Square Expands Bitcoin Capabilities with Integrated Wallet and Zero-Fee Payments

Demonstrating its commitment to cryptocurrency, Block co-founder Jack Dorsey’s company has introduced a comprehensive Bitcoin solution for merchants. This includes the ability to accept Bitcoin payments directly at Square point-of-sale terminals with no processing fees for the first year. !-- wp:paragraph --> Starting in 2027, a 1% processing fee will apply. Additionally, Square launched an integrated Bitcoin wallet that allows merchants to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw Bitcoin from their Square dashboards, streamlining digital currency management. !-- wp:paragraph --> Previously, merchants could convert 1% to 10% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin. The new service expands this range up to 50%, reflecting growing confidence and adoption among Square users. Since inception, merchants have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million at the time of reporting. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

Square, Block’s flagship merchant payments platform, has rolled out advanced AI-driven features designed to streamline restaurant and cafe operations. Central to the update is an AI-powered voice ordering system that automates incoming calls, allowing eateries—particularly cloud kitchens and delivery-only restaurants—to handle orders, menu customizations, and customer inquiries without human intervention. !-- wp:paragraph --> The AI assistant can process nuanced requests such as menu specials or dietary preferences, for example, “Make my food spicy, but don’t use any dairy.” This innovation aims to reduce wait times and improve order accuracy for delivery-focused businesses. !-- wp:paragraph --> Unlike competitors like Yelp and Kea, Square’s solution benefits from seamless integration with its existing payment and kiosk systems, simplifying order management and payment processing for merchants. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Expanded Restaurant Tools: Grubhub Integration and AI Inventory Management

Square also announced new integrations and tools to further support restaurant operations. These include:

• Grubhub integration to consolidate third-party delivery orders into Square’s platform.
• A redesigned kiosk interface providing quicker access to frequently used menu items.
• An AI-powered inventory management system to help optimize supply levels and reduce waste.

Square AI Assistant Upgrades Deliver Localized Insights and Enhanced Dashboard Features

Building on its open beta launch earlier this year, Square’s AI assistant now offers merchants real-time local insights, including weather updates, nearby events, and relevant industry trends. This feature is designed to help businesses tailor their operations and promotional strategies accordingly. !-- wp:paragraph --> Merchants can also save AI-generated visualizations as auto-updating widgets on their dashboards, enabling continuous monitoring of key metrics. Additional functionalities include conversation history access and a mobile app dashboard, enhancing usability and data-driven decision-making on the go. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Square Expands Bitcoin Capabilities with Integrated Wallet and Zero-Fee Payments

Demonstrating its commitment to cryptocurrency, Block co-founder Jack Dorsey’s company has introduced a comprehensive Bitcoin solution for merchants. This includes the ability to accept Bitcoin payments directly at Square point-of-sale terminals with no processing fees for the first year. !-- wp:paragraph --> Starting in 2027, a 1% processing fee will apply. Additionally, Square launched an integrated Bitcoin wallet that allows merchants to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw Bitcoin from their Square dashboards, streamlining digital currency management. !-- wp:paragraph --> Previously, merchants could convert 1% to 10% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin. The new service expands this range up to 50%, reflecting growing confidence and adoption among Square users. Since inception, merchants have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million at the time of reporting. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

Square, Block’s flagship merchant payments platform, has rolled out advanced AI-driven features designed to streamline restaurant and cafe operations. Central to the update is an AI-powered voice ordering system that automates incoming calls, allowing eateries—particularly cloud kitchens and delivery-only restaurants—to handle orders, menu customizations, and customer inquiries without human intervention. !-- wp:paragraph --> The AI assistant can process nuanced requests such as menu specials or dietary preferences, for example, “Make my food spicy, but don’t use any dairy.” This innovation aims to reduce wait times and improve order accuracy for delivery-focused businesses. !-- wp:paragraph --> Unlike competitors like Yelp and Kea, Square’s solution benefits from seamless integration with its existing payment and kiosk systems, simplifying order management and payment processing for merchants. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Expanded Restaurant Tools: Grubhub Integration and AI Inventory Management

Square also announced new integrations and tools to further support restaurant operations. These include:

• Grubhub integration to consolidate third-party delivery orders into Square’s platform.
• A redesigned kiosk interface providing quicker access to frequently used menu items.
• An AI-powered inventory management system to help optimize supply levels and reduce waste.

Square AI Assistant Upgrades Deliver Localized Insights and Enhanced Dashboard Features

Building on its open beta launch earlier this year, Square’s AI assistant now offers merchants real-time local insights, including weather updates, nearby events, and relevant industry trends. This feature is designed to help businesses tailor their operations and promotional strategies accordingly. !-- wp:paragraph --> Merchants can also save AI-generated visualizations as auto-updating widgets on their dashboards, enabling continuous monitoring of key metrics. Additional functionalities include conversation history access and a mobile app dashboard, enhancing usability and data-driven decision-making on the go. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Square Expands Bitcoin Capabilities with Integrated Wallet and Zero-Fee Payments

Demonstrating its commitment to cryptocurrency, Block co-founder Jack Dorsey’s company has introduced a comprehensive Bitcoin solution for merchants. This includes the ability to accept Bitcoin payments directly at Square point-of-sale terminals with no processing fees for the first year. !-- wp:paragraph --> Starting in 2027, a 1% processing fee will apply. Additionally, Square launched an integrated Bitcoin wallet that allows merchants to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw Bitcoin from their Square dashboards, streamlining digital currency management. !-- wp:paragraph --> Previously, merchants could convert 1% to 10% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin. The new service expands this range up to 50%, reflecting growing confidence and adoption among Square users. Since inception, merchants have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million at the time of reporting. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.

Square Introduces AI Voice Ordering to Revolutionize Restaurant Operations

Square, Block’s flagship merchant payments platform, has rolled out advanced AI-driven features designed to streamline restaurant and cafe operations. Central to the update is an AI-powered voice ordering system that automates incoming calls, allowing eateries—particularly cloud kitchens and delivery-only restaurants—to handle orders, menu customizations, and customer inquiries without human intervention. !-- wp:paragraph --> The AI assistant can process nuanced requests such as menu specials or dietary preferences, for example, “Make my food spicy, but don’t use any dairy.” This innovation aims to reduce wait times and improve order accuracy for delivery-focused businesses. !-- wp:paragraph --> Unlike competitors like Yelp and Kea, Square’s solution benefits from seamless integration with its existing payment and kiosk systems, simplifying order management and payment processing for merchants. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Expanded Restaurant Tools: Grubhub Integration and AI Inventory Management

Square also announced new integrations and tools to further support restaurant operations. These include:

• Grubhub integration to consolidate third-party delivery orders into Square’s platform.
• A redesigned kiosk interface providing quicker access to frequently used menu items.
• An AI-powered inventory management system to help optimize supply levels and reduce waste.

Square AI Assistant Upgrades Deliver Localized Insights and Enhanced Dashboard Features

Building on its open beta launch earlier this year, Square’s AI assistant now offers merchants real-time local insights, including weather updates, nearby events, and relevant industry trends. This feature is designed to help businesses tailor their operations and promotional strategies accordingly. !-- wp:paragraph --> Merchants can also save AI-generated visualizations as auto-updating widgets on their dashboards, enabling continuous monitoring of key metrics. Additional functionalities include conversation history access and a mobile app dashboard, enhancing usability and data-driven decision-making on the go. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Square Expands Bitcoin Capabilities with Integrated Wallet and Zero-Fee Payments

Demonstrating its commitment to cryptocurrency, Block co-founder Jack Dorsey’s company has introduced a comprehensive Bitcoin solution for merchants. This includes the ability to accept Bitcoin payments directly at Square point-of-sale terminals with no processing fees for the first year. !-- wp:paragraph --> Starting in 2027, a 1% processing fee will apply. Additionally, Square launched an integrated Bitcoin wallet that allows merchants to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw Bitcoin from their Square dashboards, streamlining digital currency management. !-- wp:paragraph --> Previously, merchants could convert 1% to 10% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin. The new service expands this range up to 50%, reflecting growing confidence and adoption among Square users. Since inception, merchants have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million at the time of reporting. !-- wp:paragraph -->

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” said Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block.

Suter emphasized that Square’s dual role—serving both merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App—positions the company uniquely to make Bitcoin a practical everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset. !-- wp:paragraph -->

Market Context and Adoption Outlook

While Bitcoin remains popular among traders, its use as a payment method is gaining traction. According to eMarketer, the number of U.S. consumers using cryptocurrency for payments is expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2026. Square aims to capitalize on this trend by integrating cryptocurrency payment solutions directly into merchant services. !-- wp:paragraph -->

FinOracleAI — Market View

Square’s latest updates underscore a strategic push to embed AI and cryptocurrency into everyday merchant operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding payment options. !-- wp:paragraph -->

• Opportunities: Increased operational efficiency for restaurants through AI voice ordering and inventory management.
• Broader Bitcoin adoption facilitated by integrated wallets and zero-fee payment acceptance.
• Competitive advantage stemming from seamless integration of AI and payment systems.
• Enhanced merchant insights via AI assistant, driving data-informed decisions.

• Risks: Adoption barriers due to merchant unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency payments.
• Potential regulatory scrutiny around Bitcoin transactions and wallet services.
• Reliance on AI systems necessitates robust accuracy and security measures.

Impact: Square’s innovations position it at the forefront of integrating AI and cryptocurrency in merchant services, potentially reshaping payment and ordering ecosystems while driving Bitcoin’s mainstream use.