Block Inc. Drives 53% Surge in Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 05 2026
0mins
Should l Buy XYZ?
Source: Benzinga
- Surge in Merchant Acceptance: According to BTC Map, the number of merchants accepting Bitcoin surged by 53% in 2025, reaching 11,242, indicating a significant increase in Bitcoin's acceptance as a payment method and enhancing its market position.
- Contribution from Square: Block Inc.'s payment system Square has enabled merchants to accept Bitcoin in everyday transactions, becoming a key driver of this growth and further solidifying the company's leadership in the cryptocurrency payment sector.
- Global Payment Share: Bitcoin accounted for over 31% of global payments processed by BitPay in 2025, indicating a rapid increase in acceptance and potentially attracting more merchants to join the Bitcoin ecosystem.
- No Processing Fee Policy: Block's introduction of a no-fee Bitcoin payment policy for Square merchants, lasting until 2027, is expected to lower transaction costs for merchants and may encourage more to adopt Bitcoin, further driving market growth.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy XYZ?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on XYZ
Wall Street analysts forecast XYZ stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for XYZ is 86.51 USD with a low forecast of 55.00 USD and a high forecast of 108.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
30 Analyst Rating
25 Buy
3 Hold
2 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 53.380
Low
55.00
Averages
86.51
High
108.00
Current: 53.380
Low
55.00
Averages
86.51
High
108.00
About XYZ
Block, Inc. builds technology to increase access to the global economy. The Company operates through two segments: Square and Cash App. The Square includes managed payment services, software solutions, hardware, and financial services offered to sellers, excluding those that involve Cash App. The Cash App segment includes the financial tools available to individuals within the mobile Cash App, including peer-to-peer payments, bitcoin and stock investments. The Cash App also includes Cash App Card, which is linked to customer stored balances that customers can use to pay for purchases or withdraw funds from an ATM. Cash App also includes the BNPL platform. Its Afterpay business is transforming the way customers manage their spending over time. Its TIDAL business is a music platform that empowers artists to thrive as entrepreneurs. Its Bitkey business is a simple self-custody wallet built for bitcoin. Proto business is a suite of bitcoin mining products and services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Analyzing the Competitive Outlook of PayPal and Block
- PayPal's New Initiatives: PayPal plans to launch PayPal World in 2025, allowing users to pay global merchants in local currencies, which is expected to enhance user experience and strengthen market competitiveness.
- AI and Stablecoin Integration: By leveraging AI agents and the stablecoin PYUSD (offering a 4% annual yield), PayPal aims to attract more users and increase transaction volumes, potentially aiding in revenue recovery.
- Block's Growth Potential: Block's Cash App reported $1.62 billion in gross profit in Q3 2025, a 24% year-over-year increase, indicating strong growth potential as it transforms into a comprehensive financial platform.
- Cryptocurrency Strategy: Block launched Square Bitcoin, which automatically converts credit card sales into Bitcoin, and holds approximately 8,800 BTC worth nearly $770 million, further solidifying its position in the cryptocurrency market.
See More
Square Launches Second Generation Register with Enhanced Performance
- Performance Boost: The second-generation Square Register features a more powerful processor that enhances device speed by 40%, enabling sellers to manage orders more efficiently during peak times and improving customer experience.
- Market Demand Response: Last year, 62% of food and beverage sellers in the U.S. with annual sales exceeding $500k utilized Square Register, demonstrating its widespread adoption in the upscale market and further solidifying Square's position in the industry.
- Durability Design: The new device boasts an IP54 rating for protection against spills and dust, ensuring reliability in busy environments and meeting the demands of modern commerce.
- Global Availability: The new Square Register is now available online across North American and European markets, starting at $899, with full international availability expected in the coming weeks, further expanding market reach.
See More
Square Launches Second-Generation Register with 40% Performance Boost
- Performance Upgrade: Square's second-generation Register features a more powerful processor and expanded memory, resulting in a 40% speed increase that enhances checkout experiences during peak hours, thereby improving customer satisfaction for sellers.
- Durability Design: The new Register boasts an IP54 rating and a redesigned card dip slot that withstands everyday spills and dust, ensuring reliability in busy environments, which reduces maintenance costs and extends the device's lifespan.
- Market Adaptability: The new device is compatible with various Square accessories and integrates seamlessly into the existing ecosystem, enabling sellers to flexibly respond to diverse business scales and complexities, thus enhancing operational efficiency and meeting customer demands.
- International Launch: The new Register is now available online across North American and European markets, starting at $899, with full global availability expected in the coming weeks, further solidifying Square's competitive position in the global market.
See More
Block Introduces Bitcoin Payment Feature, Driving Industry Innovation
- Payment Function Innovation: Block's Square introduced Bitcoin payment functionality in November, enabling over 4 million merchants to accept Bitcoin transactions, significantly lowering the barrier for merchants to adopt cryptocurrency, thus enhancing Bitcoin's acceptance as a medium of exchange.
- Market Potential: This new feature is expected to allow millions of U.S. merchants to easily convert daily sales into Bitcoin, further strengthening Block's competitive position in the payments industry and potentially attracting more merchants to this innovative payment method.
- Bitcoin Value Growth: Over the past decade, Bitcoin's price has surged by 22,770%, and despite facing criticism, its status as a financial speculation tool remains strong; Block's payment functionality could promote broader acceptance of Bitcoin, potentially driving its price higher.
- Industry-Wide Impact: Should Block's Bitcoin payment feature see strong adoption, it may encourage other financial service companies to follow suit, further driving demand and price for Bitcoin, marking a significant elevation of cryptocurrency's status within the mainstream financial system.
See More
Onefintech Stock Volatility and Investment Opportunities
- Valuation Appeal: Block's current EV-to-EBIT ratio of 15.1 indicates a compelling investment opportunity in a market increasingly focused on valuations, providing a margin of safety that minimizes downside risk for investors.
- Profit Growth: The Square segment achieved a 9% year-over-year gross profit growth in Q3, while Cash App's gross profit surged by 24%, demonstrating Block's steady ascent as a profitable business in the fintech sector.
- Bitcoin Potential: Block's Bitcoin initiatives are often overlooked, yet CEO Jack Dorsey's bullish stance since 2021 highlights the company's forward-thinking approach in the digital currency space, which could yield unexpected returns in the future.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Should Bitcoin's price rise rapidly, market sentiment could shift dramatically, prompting investors to reassess Block's prospects, potentially leading to a higher valuation, thus creating a timely investment opportunity.
See More
Investigation into Block, Inc. Officers' Fiduciary Duties
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating whether certain officers of Block, Inc. breached their fiduciary duties, which could impact corporate governance and shareholder rights.
- Legal Relief Options: Long-term shareholders of Block stock may seek corporate governance reforms, fund recovery, or court-approved financial awards, aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within the company.
- Importance of Participation: Shareholder involvement can improve company policies and oversight mechanisms, thereby enhancing shareholder value and ensuring more effective management of the organization.
- Legal Fee Arrangement: Halper Sadeh LLC offers contingent fee-based legal services, meaning shareholders will not incur upfront legal costs, thus reducing the financial burden of participating in the rights enforcement process.
See More
Analyzing the Competitive Outlook of PayPal and Block
- PayPal's New Initiatives: PayPal plans to launch PayPal World in 2025, allowing users to pay global merchants in local currencies, which is expected to enhance user experience and strengthen market competitiveness.
- AI and Stablecoin Integration: By leveraging AI agents and the stablecoin PYUSD (offering a 4% annual yield), PayPal aims to attract more users and increase transaction volumes, potentially aiding in revenue recovery.
- Block's Growth Potential: Block's Cash App reported $1.62 billion in gross profit in Q3 2025, a 24% year-over-year increase, indicating strong growth potential as it transforms into a comprehensive financial platform.
- Cryptocurrency Strategy: Block launched Square Bitcoin, which automatically converts credit card sales into Bitcoin, and holds approximately 8,800 BTC worth nearly $770 million, further solidifying its position in the cryptocurrency market.
See More
Square Launches Second Generation Register with Enhanced Performance
- Performance Boost: The second-generation Square Register features a more powerful processor that enhances device speed by 40%, enabling sellers to manage orders more efficiently during peak times and improving customer experience.
- Market Demand Response: Last year, 62% of food and beverage sellers in the U.S. with annual sales exceeding $500k utilized Square Register, demonstrating its widespread adoption in the upscale market and further solidifying Square's position in the industry.
- Durability Design: The new device boasts an IP54 rating for protection against spills and dust, ensuring reliability in busy environments and meeting the demands of modern commerce.
- Global Availability: The new Square Register is now available online across North American and European markets, starting at $899, with full international availability expected in the coming weeks, further expanding market reach.
See More
Square Launches Second-Generation Register with 40% Performance Boost
- Performance Upgrade: Square's second-generation Register features a more powerful processor and expanded memory, resulting in a 40% speed increase that enhances checkout experiences during peak hours, thereby improving customer satisfaction for sellers.
- Durability Design: The new Register boasts an IP54 rating and a redesigned card dip slot that withstands everyday spills and dust, ensuring reliability in busy environments, which reduces maintenance costs and extends the device's lifespan.
- Market Adaptability: The new device is compatible with various Square accessories and integrates seamlessly into the existing ecosystem, enabling sellers to flexibly respond to diverse business scales and complexities, thus enhancing operational efficiency and meeting customer demands.
- International Launch: The new Register is now available online across North American and European markets, starting at $899, with full global availability expected in the coming weeks, further solidifying Square's competitive position in the global market.
See More
Block Introduces Bitcoin Payment Feature, Driving Industry Innovation
- Payment Function Innovation: Block's Square introduced Bitcoin payment functionality in November, enabling over 4 million merchants to accept Bitcoin transactions, significantly lowering the barrier for merchants to adopt cryptocurrency, thus enhancing Bitcoin's acceptance as a medium of exchange.
- Market Potential: This new feature is expected to allow millions of U.S. merchants to easily convert daily sales into Bitcoin, further strengthening Block's competitive position in the payments industry and potentially attracting more merchants to this innovative payment method.
- Bitcoin Value Growth: Over the past decade, Bitcoin's price has surged by 22,770%, and despite facing criticism, its status as a financial speculation tool remains strong; Block's payment functionality could promote broader acceptance of Bitcoin, potentially driving its price higher.
- Industry-Wide Impact: Should Block's Bitcoin payment feature see strong adoption, it may encourage other financial service companies to follow suit, further driving demand and price for Bitcoin, marking a significant elevation of cryptocurrency's status within the mainstream financial system.
See More
Onefintech Stock Volatility and Investment Opportunities
- Valuation Appeal: Block's current EV-to-EBIT ratio of 15.1 indicates a compelling investment opportunity in a market increasingly focused on valuations, providing a margin of safety that minimizes downside risk for investors.
- Profit Growth: The Square segment achieved a 9% year-over-year gross profit growth in Q3, while Cash App's gross profit surged by 24%, demonstrating Block's steady ascent as a profitable business in the fintech sector.
- Bitcoin Potential: Block's Bitcoin initiatives are often overlooked, yet CEO Jack Dorsey's bullish stance since 2021 highlights the company's forward-thinking approach in the digital currency space, which could yield unexpected returns in the future.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Should Bitcoin's price rise rapidly, market sentiment could shift dramatically, prompting investors to reassess Block's prospects, potentially leading to a higher valuation, thus creating a timely investment opportunity.
See More
Investigation into Block, Inc. Officers' Fiduciary Duties
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating whether certain officers of Block, Inc. breached their fiduciary duties, which could impact corporate governance and shareholder rights.
- Legal Relief Options: Long-term shareholders of Block stock may seek corporate governance reforms, fund recovery, or court-approved financial awards, aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within the company.
- Importance of Participation: Shareholder involvement can improve company policies and oversight mechanisms, thereby enhancing shareholder value and ensuring more effective management of the organization.
- Legal Fee Arrangement: Halper Sadeh LLC offers contingent fee-based legal services, meaning shareholders will not incur upfront legal costs, thus reducing the financial burden of participating in the rights enforcement process.
See More
