Key Takeaways:
Block (NYSE: XYZ) unveiled a suite of three bitcoin-focused products aimed at strengthening self-custody and payments, while mining firm MARA Holdings announced a new foundation to support the protocol’s development, signaling a multi-front push to accelerate mainstream adoption.
"We mine Bitcoin. We help secure the network every day. That gives us a responsibility to invest in the protocol’s long-term health, not just its short-term economics," MARA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Fred Thiel said at The Bitcoin 2026 Conference in Las Vegas.
The announcements include Block’s new Bitkey hardware wallet, expanded bitcoin earning and spending tools within Cash App, and a public Proof of Reserves system. Separately, MARA Holdings launched the MARA Foundation, which will award a $100,000 grant to an organization strengthening the Bitcoin network, with a community vote to decide the winner.
These initiatives arrive as industry leaders and policymakers are increasingly framing bitcoin self-custody as a fundamental right. The push aims to improve user experience and create legal protections against potential government overreach, a key theme at the Bitcoin 2026 conference.
Block’s product launch focuses on making Bitcoin self-custody more accessible. The new Bitkey hardware wallet uses a 2-of-3 multisignature model without seed phrases and integrates a secure touchscreen for transaction verification, a design intended to reduce reliance on external devices.
Within its Cash App, Block is rolling out features to encourage accumulation and use. Users can now convert peer-to-peer payments directly into bitcoin and earn 5% back in bitcoin on certain transactions. The company also increased withdrawal limits to $10,000 daily and enabled direct deposit in bitcoin at no extra cost.
To increase transparency, Block introduced a Proof of Reserves system that allows public verification of its corporate and customer bitcoin holdings. Looking ahead, the company plans to demonstrate tap-to-pay bitcoin payments over the Lightning Network at Bitcoin Las Vegas 2026, offering zero processing fees through 2026.
The product launches coincide with a growing movement to legally protect control over digital assets. At the Bitcoin 2026 conference, U.S. Congressman Nick Begich advocated for the Bitcoin Act, which he said "affirms and protects the rights of persons to maintain full lawful control over their bitcoin." He warned that governments under pressure could seize assets, citing the U.S. confiscation of gold in 1933, and argued self-custody is the primary defense.
MARA Holdings is reinforcing this push from a development angle. Its new MARA Foundation will focus on five key areas: network security, open-source software, self-custody tools, public policy, and education. The foundation’s inaugural $100,000 grant will be awarded to one of three pre-selected organizations: SateNet, the 256 Foundation, or Libreria de Satoshi.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
