Who enabled BTC Lightning payments?

Cash App and Square, both part of Block, have just made it easier for people and businesses to pay with Bitcoin (BTC) using the Lightning Network.

1. Cash App now allows users to pay Lightning invoices directly from their USD balance—no need to hold BTC first. You can read more in this Cash App announcement coverage.
2. Square has enabled Lightning payments for about 4 million merchants, offering 0% processing fees until 2027. Details are in this merchant rollout report.
3. Some early adopters, like the Steak 'n Shake restaurant chain, are already testing Lightning payments at checkout, as noted in this business press update.

Deep Dive

1. Cash App Rollout

Cash App’s latest update lets users pay Lightning invoices in seconds, using either USD or BTC. This means you can scan a Lightning QR code and pay without needing to own Bitcoin first. This feature was confirmed in a Cash App announcement report. There’s also a new in-app map to help users find merchants who accept BTC, explained in a follow-up brief.

What this means: Paying with Lightning is now as easy as using your regular USD balance, making it simpler for people new to Bitcoin payments.

2. Square Merchants

Square has rolled out Lightning payments to about 4 million U.S. merchants. When a customer pays, Square generates a Lightning invoice QR code that settles instantly. Plus, there are no processing fees until 2027. You can find more details in this merchant rollout report and an explainer on merchant adoption.

What this means: Small and medium-sized businesses can save on fees and get paid faster, making Bitcoin a practical payment option at checkout.

3. Why It Matters Now

By combining Cash App’s easy-to-use tools for consumers with Square’s broad merchant network, the gap between wanting to pay with Bitcoin and actually doing it is shrinking. This could improve how smoothly payments move through the Lightning Network. There are still challenges, like regulatory concerns and gradual rollouts, discussed in the merchant adoption explainer. Early examples like Steak 'n Shake show how businesses can save money and use Lightning in real life, as reported in this business press update.

What this means: Even if a small portion of credit card payments switch to Lightning, the savings and speed could attract more merchants and customers to use Bitcoin.

Conclusion

Block’s ecosystem has made a big move: Cash App simplified paying Lightning invoices, and Square opened Lightning payments to millions of merchants. If more people and businesses start using it, Bitcoin could move from a niche payment method to something more mainstream. However, factors like regulations, user habits, and network capacity will influence how fast this happens.

What could affect the price of BTC?

Bitcoin’s price is currently influenced by a mix of economic uncertainty, changing regulations, and shifts in market mood.

1. Federal Reserve Rate Uncertainty – A delayed jobs report makes it unclear if interest rates will be cut in December, reducing Bitcoin’s appeal as a risky investment.
2. ETF Withdrawals – Investors pulled $1.43 billion from BlackRock’s IBIT ETF in five days, showing caution amid falling prices.
3. Whale Buying – Large Bitcoin holders with 10,000 to 100,000 BTC recently added about 88,000 BTC, indicating strategic buying.

In-Depth Analysis

1. Economic Policy Uncertainty (Negative Effect)

The Federal Reserve’s decisions on interest rates play a big role in how attractive Bitcoin is as an investment. The September U.S. jobs report was delayed until November 20, making it hard to predict if the Fed will cut rates in December. The chance of a rate cut has dropped to 33%, down from almost certain a few weeks ago. When rate cuts seem less likely, Bitcoin tends to perform worse, as shown by a recent 12% drop in one week.
Source: Coindesk
What this means: If the Fed keeps rates high, there’s less money available for risky investments like Bitcoin. Without clear signs that rates will go down, big investors might hold back, limiting Bitcoin’s price growth in the near future.

2. Changes in ETF Demand (Mixed Effect)

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced $1.43 billion in withdrawals from BlackRock’s IBIT ETF over five days—the largest since it launched. However, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund tripled its investment in IBIT to $567 million right before this drop, showing confidence in the long term.
Source: Crypto.news
What this means: The short-term withdrawals suggest some investors are selling in a panic, but the large, strategic purchases by sovereign funds indicate ongoing demand. ETF flows are an important indicator of market sentiment; if outflows continue, Bitcoin’s price may stay in a holding pattern.

3. Large Holder Buying vs. Retail Fear (Positive Effect)

Bitcoin wallets holding between 10,000 and 100,000 BTC recently added about 88,000 BTC. Meanwhile, retail investors show “Extreme Fear” according to the CMC Fear & Greed Index, which is at 16. Historically, when big holders buy during times of fear, it often leads to price rallies.
Source: CryptoQuant
What this means: Large investors are likely buying steadily during price dips, which reduces selling pressure. If market sentiment improves, this could trigger a short squeeze and push prices higher, though broader economic issues might delay a full recovery.

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s future depends largely on clearer signals from the Federal Reserve and stabilization in ETF flows. Meanwhile, buying by large holders provides a positive foundation. Although regulatory uncertainty and interest rate concerns dominate the short term, institutional buying suggests confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential.
What should you watch next? Keep an eye on steady ETF inflows or any clear indication that the Fed will change course.

What are people saying about BTC?

Bitcoin’s conversation swings between worry and optimism as it navigates a volatile market. Here’s what’s making headlines:

1. Optimistic forecasts – Experts predict Bitcoin could surpass $200,000 by 2025.
2. Warning signs – Technical indicators suggest the possibility of deeper price drops.
3. Whale activity – Large investors, known as whales, have cashed out $3.2 billion in profits, slowing price gains.
4. Selling pressures – Forced sell-offs, ETF withdrawals, and token releases are putting downward pressure on prices.
5. Big investors buying – Companies like Metaplanet and Strategy are increasing their Bitcoin holdings.

In-Depth Look

1. @CCinspace: Bullish $200K Bitcoin Prediction

"Bernstein predicts BTC will reach $200,000 by 2025. CryptoQuant suggests up to $276,400, driven by $520B market inflows."
– @CCinspace (18.2K followers · 252K impressions · 2025-06-26 20:05 UTC)
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What this means: This outlook is positive for Bitcoin because it’s based on forecasts from financial institutions and data showing large amounts of money flowing into the market, which could speed up Bitcoin’s adoption.

2. @mitchellvii: $1.7B in Liquidations Signals Trouble

"Over $1.7B in crypto positions liquidated in 24h. BTC broke below 50-day MA, triggering stop-losses."
– @mitchellvii (467K followers · 309K impressions · 2025-09-25 18:15 UTC)
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What this means: This is a negative sign for Bitcoin because many forced sell-offs and a key technical level being broken increase selling pressure, risking a drop below the $100,000 support level.

3. @beincrypto: Whales Taking Profits Could Slow Growth

"New whales sold $3.2B in BTC since April—82.5% of recent profit-taking. Their selling delays BTC’s breakout."
– @beincrypto (82.6K followers · 141K impressions · 2025-05-26 17:03 UTC)
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What this means: This is bearish for Bitcoin because when large investors sell to lock in profits, it increases the supply available and limits upward price movement near the $120,000 resistance level.

4. @cryptoWZRD_: Testing $110K Support – Market Uncertain

"BTC closed indecisively, teasing $110,500. A break below signals fear; above could trigger reversal."
– @cryptoWZRD (105K followers · 33.4K impressions · 2025-09-07 01:33 UTC)
[View original post](https://x.com/cryptoWZRD/status/1964502190023987605)
What this means: This is neutral for Bitcoin because the market is uncertain. The price could either fall below $110,000, indicating fear, or bounce back, depending on bigger economic factors like Federal Reserve policies or ETF activity.

5. @bitcoinmagazine: Corporate Buyers Adding to Bitcoin Holdings

"Metaplanet added 463 BTC ($53.7M), Strategy bought 430 BTC ($51.4M). Both target 1% of BTC supply long-term."
– @bitcoinmagazine (2.8M followers · N/A impressions · 2025-08-18 13:42 UTC)
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What this means: This is a positive sign for Bitcoin because when companies buy and hold Bitcoin, it reduces the amount available for sale, creating scarcity that can support higher prices despite selling pressure from smaller investors.

Conclusion

The outlook for Bitcoin is mixed right now. On one hand, big investors are accumulating Bitcoin, which is a positive sign. On the other hand, technical challenges and profit-taking by large holders create risks. Keep an eye on the Short-Term Holder Realized Price (~$99K): if Bitcoin stays above this level, it may indicate ongoing accumulation; if it falls below, it could confirm downward momentum.

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What is the latest news about BTC?

Bitcoin is currently facing a mix of downward pressure and changes in big investor behavior. Recent headlines focus on money flowing out of Bitcoin ETFs and uncertainty around U.S. Federal Reserve policies. Here’s a quick summary of the latest news:

1. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Sees Large Withdrawals (Nov 19, 2025) – Investors pulled out $523 million as Bitcoin’s price dropped, although Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund increased its stake threefold just before the decline.
2. Federal Reserve Officials Oppose More Rate Cuts (Nov 19, 2025) – Meeting notes show most Fed members want to keep interest rates steady, which led to a sharp drop in Bitcoin prices.
3. Trader Peter Brandt Predicts Bitcoin Could Fall to $58K (Nov 19, 2025) – A well-known trader warns of a possible deeper price correction based on technical chart patterns.

In-Depth Look

1. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Sees Large Withdrawals (Nov 19, 2025)

What happened: BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) experienced $523 million in withdrawals on November 18, marking its biggest single-day outflow since launching in January 2024. Over five days, investors pulled out $1.43 billion, pushing Bitcoin’s price below $90,000. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund invested $518 million in IBIT on September 30, tripling its holdings just before the price drop.
Why it matters: Large withdrawals from ETFs like IBIT often signal that big investors are losing confidence during price dips, which can put short-term pressure on Bitcoin’s price. However, Abu Dhabi’s large investment shows some institutional investors still see Bitcoin as a long-term store of value, similar to gold, despite the current volatility. (Crypto.News)

2. Federal Reserve Officials Oppose More Rate Cuts (Nov 19, 2025)

What happened: The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes revealed that most Fed officials want to keep interest rates steady through the end of 2025, with only a 30% chance of a rate cut in December. This news caused Bitcoin’s price to fall to $88,800, its lowest in seven months.
Why it matters: When the Fed signals fewer rate cuts, the U.S. dollar tends to strengthen. A stronger dollar makes riskier assets like Bitcoin less attractive to investors. This cautious Fed stance adds uncertainty to the market and could keep Bitcoin’s price range-bound until clearer economic signals emerge. (CoinGape)

3. Trader Peter Brandt Predicts Bitcoin Could Fall to $58K (Nov 19, 2025)

What happened: Veteran trader Peter Brandt identified a bearish chart pattern called a “broadening top” that started forming on November 11. He predicts Bitcoin could drop to $58,000, with $81,000 and $58,000 as key support levels. Brandt warns that fear in the market could speed up the decline.
Why it matters: Brandt’s technical analysis is based on decades of experience and suggests Bitcoin might face a significant correction. However, his predictions don’t always happen immediately, so traders should watch the $81,000 support level for signs of either a further drop or price stabilization. (CoinGape)

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s path forward is uncertain, influenced by big investor moves, cautious Federal Reserve policies, and technical warning signs. Still, strong bets like Abu Dhabi’s investment show there’s confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value. Upcoming U.S. jobs reports and clearer regulations could be the triggers Bitcoin needs to bounce back from its recent slide.

What is expected in the development of BTC?

Bitcoin’s future plans focus on improving scalability, privacy, and making it easier for institutions to use:

1. Next Halving (April 2028) – The reward miners get for adding new blocks will drop to 1.5625 BTC, cutting the new supply in half.
2. Privacy Upgrade (No Date) – A proposed update to make shared wallets more private by limiting what co-signers can see.

Deep Dive

1. Next Halving (April 2028)

Overview: Every four years, Bitcoin undergoes a “halving” event where the reward miners receive for verifying transactions is cut in half. In April 2028, this reward will drop from 3.125 BTC to 1.5625 BTC per block. This reduces the number of new bitcoins entering circulation, reinforcing Bitcoin’s fixed supply limit of 21 million coins. Historically, halvings have caused price swings as miners adjust to lower rewards. To stay profitable, miners will need to improve efficiency, which could lead to fewer, larger mining operations.

What this means: This event is generally positive for Bitcoin’s price because less new supply can increase demand if more people adopt it. However, miners with higher costs might stop mining, which could temporarily affect the network’s security.

2. Privacy Upgrade (No Date)

Overview: A new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) called “Chain Code Delegation for Private Collaborative Custody” aims to improve privacy for wallets shared by multiple people or institutions. Right now, when co-signers share extended public keys (xpubs), they can see the entire transaction history, which isn’t ideal for privacy. The upgrade would hide certain information during setup, so co-signers can approve transactions without seeing balances or unrelated activity. This uses a technology called Schnorr signatures to keep data exposure minimal (Bitkey Engineers).

What this means: This upgrade is good news for Bitcoin because it makes it easier for institutions to manage funds privately. However, it might take time to implement if there’s disagreement on the details.

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s roadmap is focused on maintaining its scarcity and improving privacy to meet the needs of large investors and institutions. The big question remains: how will miners adapt financially after rewards shrink in 2028?

What updates are there in the BTC code base?

Bitcoin’s latest software updates improve how data is handled and boost security.

1. OP_RETURN Expansion (October 12, 2025) – The previous 80-byte limit on storing data in transactions has been removed, allowing much larger data storage on the blockchain.
2. Security Fixes (October 25, 2025) – Four minor security issues were fixed in version 30.0 to keep the network safer.

Deep Dive

1. OP_RETURN Expansion (October 12, 2025)

What happened: Bitcoin Core version 30.0 lifted the 80-byte limit on OP_RETURN outputs. Now, users can include up to 4MB of data in a single transaction by paying the necessary fees. This could be used for things like storing documents or digital IDs directly on the blockchain. However, this change is a policy update, not a rule that all miners must follow, so miners can still set their own limits.

Why it matters: This update opens the door for new uses of Bitcoin beyond just sending money, such as decentralized identity verification or timestamping important files. But there’s a risk that if too much data is stored, it could slow down the network. Thankfully, node operators (those running Bitcoin software) can still control how much data they accept.
(Source)

2. Security Fixes (October 25, 2025)

What happened: Four low-risk security vulnerabilities were found and fixed in Bitcoin Core v30.0. These included potential attacks that could overload a computer’s processor or flood logs with unnecessary information. Exploiting these issues would require very specific conditions, like using older 32-bit systems.

Why it matters: Fixing these vulnerabilities shows that Bitcoin’s developers are actively working to keep the network secure. While these issues posed little risk to most users, upgrading to version 30.0 is recommended for better stability and protection.
(Source)

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s recent updates strike a balance between innovation—by allowing larger data storage on the blockchain—and security—by patching vulnerabilities. This steady progress highlights ongoing developer commitment. It will be interesting to see how the increased flexibility of OP_RETURN might expand Bitcoin’s uses beyond just payments.

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Why did the price of BTC fall?

Bitcoin (BTC) dropped 2.93% in the last 24 hours, slightly underperforming the overall crypto market, which fell 3.22%. Here’s why:

1. Doubts About a Fed Rate Cut: The chances of the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates in December fell sharply to 32%, causing investors to pull back from riskier assets like crypto.
2. Regulatory Concerns: The co-founder of Samourai Wallet was sentenced to prison, raising new fears about government crackdowns on privacy-focused crypto tools.

Deep Dive

1. Doubts About a Fed Rate Cut (Negative Impact)

What happened: The likelihood of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in December dropped from nearly certain to just 32%, after meeting minutes showed disagreements among Fed officials. This unsettled investors and led to selling in riskier assets, including Bitcoin.
Why it matters: When interest rates stay high or don’t drop as expected, the U.S. dollar usually gets stronger. This makes holding assets like Bitcoin less attractive because they don’t pay interest. Bitcoin, being more volatile, tends to react strongly to these changes.

2. Regulatory Concerns (Negative Impact)

What happened: Bill Hill, co-founder of Samourai Wallet, was sentenced to four years in prison for running an unlicensed money transmission business. Prosecutors said $237 million in funds were laundered through the service.
Why it matters: This case highlights the legal risks facing crypto companies, especially those focused on privacy. It could slow down innovation and discourage new investors, as it signals increased government scrutiny.

Conclusion

The combination of lower expectations for a Fed rate cut and rising regulatory worries led to Bitcoin’s recent decline. This shows how sensitive the crypto market is to changes in economic policy and government actions.
What to watch next: Will today’s U.S. jobs report provide clearer guidance on the Fed’s plans or increase market uncertainty?

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