Block Renews Bets on AI, Ecosystem Lending as Growth Softens

Highlights Block’s Q1 2025 showed decelerating growth in gross profit across both Cash App (10% YoY) and Square (9% YoY), with a stalemate in user growth posing risks to its network-driven model as macro uncertainty impacts consumer confidence. The company is at a strategic turning point, doubling down on AI (via its internal tool "goose"), digital lending (Cash App Borrow), and brand repositioning to drive future momentum. Block is expanding its "bank our base" approach by leveraging credit products ...