Square, a subsidiary of Block, has rolled out a real-time Bitcoin payment pilot program at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. Attendees can now purchase merchandise using the Lightning Network, part of an upgraded ‘Bitcoin Auto-Conversion’ system. This innovative technology enables instant transactions and is expected to become fully accessible to eligible merchants by 2026. Outside the venue, pop-up stores offer a convenient way to purchase items like T-shirts and hoodies directly via QR code scanning using Bitcoin. The Lightning Network significantly improves transaction speeds compared to traditional blockchain settlements. Square’s ‘Bitcoin Auto-Conversion’ feature, introduced last year, is already used by over 1,000 merchants.