Cash App Adds Apple Pay, Google Pay for Group Payments

Cash App expands digital wallet integration as group payment feature lets users collect funds through Apple Pay and Google Pay

Key Takeaways

• Cash App launches Pools feature with Apple Pay and Google Pay integration — Block’s first major peer-to-peer product in nearly two years allows group payments through multiple wallet platforms, expanding reach beyond its 57 million user base.
• Strategic pivot toward network expansion — The feature marks Cash App’s first out-of-network payment capability, letting non-users contribute to group collections via Apple Pay or Google Pay without downloading the app.
• Competitive response to Venmo’s 20% revenue growth — Cash App introduces social payment tools as it seeks to regain ground against PayPal’s Venmo, which reported strong second-quarter performance driven by debit card usage.

Introduction

Cash App transforms its peer-to-peer payment strategy by launching Pools, a group collection feature that integrates with Apple Pay and Google Pay for the first time. The Block-owned platform enables users to create shared payment pools accessible to contributors regardless of their preferred digital wallet.

This marks Cash App’s most significant product expansion in nearly two years, addressing the friction that occurs when friends use different payment platforms. The feature allows non-Cash App users to contribute to group expenses through their existing Apple or Google payment accounts.

Key Developments

Pools operates through a streamlined process where users create a collection goal, name their pool, and distribute links via text or social media. Contributors can fund the pool directly through Cash App or by using their Apple Pay or Google Pay accounts, eliminating the need for multiple app downloads.

“This is the first time we’re going into out-of-network payments with Pools,” states Owen Jennings, Block’s head of business. The feature addresses a common user behavior where Cash App customers already collected group payments informally through the platform.

Cameron Worboys, Head of Product Design at Cash App, explains that users can “start a pool to collect the money in seconds, and then instantly transfer the funds to their Cash App balance when it’s time to pay.” The feature launches with select users before expanding to the full customer base in coming months.

Market Impact

Block’s stock responds positively to the announcement as investors view the integration as a pathway to user acquisition beyond Cash App’s current ecosystem. The company’s May earnings revealed 57 million active users, positioning Pools as a network expansion tool.

The move directly challenges Venmo’s dominance in social payments, particularly as PayPal’s subsidiary reported over 20% year-over-year revenue growth in its recent quarter. Venmo’s success stems from increased debit card usage and expanded online merchant integrations.

Digital wallet adoption supports Cash App’s strategy, with Apple Pay accepted at 92% of major US retail chains and Google Pay available at 83% of US merchants. This infrastructure provides immediate scale for Cash App’s group payment ambitions.

Strategic Insights

The Pools launch represents Block’s broader strategy to reduce platform dependency while accelerating user acquisition. By accepting payments through competing wallets, Cash App positions itself as a neutral aggregator rather than a walled-garden solution.

This approach particularly benefits younger demographics who drive peer-to-peer payment growth. PYMNTS Intelligence research shows at least half of millennial and Generation Z consumers use P2P payments for both in-store and online purchases, creating a substantial addressable market.

The integration reflects CEO Jack Dorsey’s directive to enhance network growth focus. “Money is fundamentally social in nature,” Jennings notes, as Block seeks to establish Cash App as a comprehensive financial platform rather than a simple payment app.

Expert Opinions and Data

Industry analysts interpret Cash App’s wallet integration as both defensive and opportunistic positioning. The move hedges against platform lock-in while creating a more universal payment solution that could accelerate organic growth through viral adoption.

Block demonstrates sustained product development momentum beyond Pools. The company recently launched Tap to Pay on iPhone for business sellers and introduced Sponsor Approval for teen account oversight, according to a CNBC report.

“This product is fundamentally geared at network expansion,” Jennings emphasizes, highlighting how Pools serves as both a user acquisition tool and retention mechanism. The feature’s viral potential stems from its ability to include non-users in financial activities.

Early user response emphasizes convenience and security benefits of using familiar wallet interfaces for Cash App transactions. The elimination of additional setup requirements reduces adoption friction for Apple and Google ecosystem users.

Conclusion

Cash App’s integration with Apple Pay and Google Pay through Pools represents a strategic shift toward interoperability in digital payments. The feature addresses real user friction while expanding Cash App’s addressable market beyond its installed base.

Block positions itself to capture growth in social finance as group payment scenarios become increasingly digital. The gradual rollout allows for user feedback integration while building toward a full-scale launch that could reshape peer-to-peer payment dynamics.