Cash App launches star-shaped wand for contactless payments

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Square's Cash App rolled out a magic wand this week, an iridescent NFC-enabled device shaped like a star-topped wand that lets users tap payment terminals to make contactless purchases without a phone or card. The move capitalizes on a DIY trend that's already gained traction on social media, where people have been fashioning their own payment-enabling wands. It's an unusual bet on playfulness in the crowded contactless-payment space, transforming what's typically utilitarian technology into something whimsical. Cash App, owned by Block (formerly Square), is targeting younger users already comfortable with contactless payment, betting that novelty and ease will drive adoption. The wand joins a growing crop of branded payment gadgets designed to blur the line between transaction tools and consumer accessories, reflecting a broader fintech shift toward hardware that feels less like swiping a card and more like casting a spell.