Square launches AI voice ordering and an integrated Bitcoin solution for merchants

Square, the merchant payment platform under Block, has rolled out an array of innovative features aimed at enhancing the experience for restaurant owners. Among these is an AI-driven voice ordering system designed specifically for the food service industry. This feature allows restaurants and cafes that utilize Square to automate the handling of incoming calls, a significant advantage for cloud kitchens and delivery-centric establishments. The AI can manage various customer inquiries, such as menu specials or specific order modifications, streamlining the ordering process. In addition to the voice ordering system, Square is improving its AI assistants by integrating local insights, which include weather updates and information about nearby events. This enhancement allows the AI to not only respond to queries but also provide useful contextual data to merchants. Square is also incorporating Grubhub integration, which will facilitate smoother processing of third-party delivery orders. Furthermore, a redesigned kiosk interface will make it easier for users to access frequently utilized menus. Square's AI assistant, which was initially launched in open beta earlier this year, is receiving new functionalities. Merchants can now save visualizations generated by the assistant as auto-updating widgets on their dashboards, along with accessing conversation history via the mobile app. On the cryptocurrency front, Square continues to embrace Bitcoin, a focus championed by co-founder Jack Dorsey. The company is now introducing an integrated Bitcoin solution that allows merchants to accept and hold Bitcoin directly through their point-of-sale systems. To promote adoption, Square will not charge any processing fees for the first year, after which a 1% fee will be implemented in 2027. Merchants can now opt to convert up to 50% of their daily earnings into Bitcoin, significantly increasing the previous limit of 10%. Since the launch of its Bitcoin program, Square has reported that users have amassed 142 Bitcoins, valued at over $17 million. Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block, emphasized that these tools are designed to meet the needs of sellers, enabling them to manage their finances more effectively while making Bitcoin payments as straightforward as traditional card transactions. With this initiative, Square aims to position Bitcoin as a viable everyday currency rather than merely a speculative asset, thereby helping small businesses adapt to the evolving financial landscape.