According to BlockBeats, Square, a subsidiary of Block, has initiated a real-time Bitcoin payment pilot at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. Attendees can purchase merchandise using the Lightning Network, which is part of an upgraded 'Bitcoin Auto-Conversion' system. This feature is expected to be fully available to eligible merchants by 2026.
Outside the conference venue, pop-up stores allow participants to instantly buy items like T-shirts and hoodies by scanning QR codes with Bitcoin. The Lightning Network's transaction speed significantly surpasses traditional blockchain settlement methods. Square's 'Bitcoin Auto-Conversion' feature, launched last year, is already utilized by over 1,000 merchants.