Cash App launched a $25 magic wand on Thursday, June 4, 2026, that lets users make tap-to-pay purchases by tapping the device against compatible payment terminals. The wand is the first product in a new line of NFC-powered tag hardware that the company plans to expand with additional form factors in the coming months.
The wand is linked to the Cash App Card and works at any outlet that supports Visa’s tap-to-pay platform. Users activate it by connecting the hardware to the Cash App mobile app, and no minimum balance is required. The wand also comes with a keychain ring for attaching to a bag or clipping to clothing.
Cash App, owned by Block, said the device is designed for situations where pulling out a phone is inconvenient — such as at concerts or sporting events. The company also noted an appeal rooted in a social media trend in which people pay for items using homemade wands concealing tap-and-pay cards.
Users receive instant spend notifications when paying with the wand and can lock or unlock the tag through the app at any time. If the wand is lost, it can be deactivated remotely. Cash App said it is also monitoring tag-based transactions for fraud.
“While digital wallets are invisible and physical cards are often buried in wallets, Cash App Tags are just the opposite. We see a unique opportunity here to make payments visible and social for the first time,” said Thomas Templeton, Hardware lead at Block.
The launch is aimed at Gen Z users. Block has previously targeted younger demographics through Cash App, introducing teen accounts in 2021 and a parent-controlled debit card for children aged six to 12 earlier in 2026. The company said it plans to release limited-edition tag versions before making some permanently available this summer.
Source: TechCrunch