Decoder with Nilay Patel Square's product chief on the death of the penny and the future of money
69 snips
Dec 8, 2025 
Willem Avé, Head of Product at Square, dives into the future of money and technology. He discusses Square's evolution from a simple card reader to a multifaceted financial services giant under Block. Willem highlights the exciting integration of AI in automating business processes and enhancing decision-making for small sellers. He also shares insights on Bitcoin's potential and the impact of discontinuing the penny, arguing for adaptability in payment options to suit diverse seller needs.
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From Payments To Running Businesses
- Square's mission evolves from enabling payments to running sellers' businesses through integrated hardware and software.
- Willem Avé argues democratizing advanced tech for Main Street can revitalize neighborhoods and reduce small business failure.
Functional Org For Shared Roadmap
- Block moved from divisional GMs to a functional structure to create a single shared roadmap and better alignment.
- Willem says this enables trade-offs and building products at intersections like Square and Cash App together.
Decide Fast And Train Your Gut
- Make tactical team decisions fast with rituals like pit stops and unblock meetings to avoid jams.
- Build deep customer empathy, market knowledge, and constraint awareness to train your strategic gut.