Being the most downloaded and used payment application, in 2018, the cash app’s popularity is not hidden anymore. The only app that comes with so much flexibility to be used and also with additional features that no other counter app can provide. The app was launched on 15 Oct 2013 and from there it never turned back. Being the most populated app, it provides features like Direct Deposit, Loan, and transfer of funds for free, and Cash Card or Debit Card feature. It can also be used for trading stocks and cryptocurrencies. Further reading will give you a detailed Cash App review.
Primarily, the app is a payment application that facilitates sending and receiving funds to and from known users, for free. Also, to send money between two people, an identification or $Cashtag is required, which contains the information of both parties. Similarly, there are other perks such as Business Account, which is a specific option for small business people.
Along with it, users can get a loan at the time of emergency if being eligible for that.
About Cash App
Launched in 2013, it is offering its services only in the USA and UK, as of now. The app was created for making money transfers easy among known ones. Also, security was one of the concerns put on priority at that time, which is remained unchanged till now.
A massive change in the number of downloading apps by users and using the services was witnessed in 2018 when it crossed PayPal and became the number one paid app.
The app has witnessed several changes in its features and additions were also part, of course. For instance, the initial name for the cash app was Square App and it changed to Cash App further. Along with it, the app has got other beneficiary features which made people realize that the digital bank could be worth using than traditional banks. For instance, it allowed Direct Deposits for checks or payments. It also added a Business Account feature to help small vendors and merchants with their day-to-day transactions.
Earlier, the app could be accessed only by those aged 18, but from 2021, the app was made available for teens aging 13-17 years. But, it is only under the supervision of their parents.
A cash card is one of the most popular features of the cash app. A cash card or VISA Debit Card can be used at any store or restaurant to buy things or make payments. It can also be used for withdrawing money from ATMs.
Bitcoin and Stock feature
Cash app, by seeing the demand, has started function of cryptocurrencies on cash app. After it, the buying and selling of bitcoin and stock trading became easy. Also, it helped manage the funds through this new cash app feature.
Now, the cash app crypto currency feature is being used by millions for their benefit.
Simplicity
The cash app has found out that users need simplicity in a bank that they don’t bother while performing any activity on its application.
Cash App is best known for the simple features that can help users (even novice users) to use it without any extra support. The functions like Bitcoin and trade; it is easy to use both features.
Additionally, it lets users take loans with minimum step processes. Also, a cash card is worth using because of its simple usage.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- No foreign exchange fees
- Free debit card
- No monthly fees
- Trading: Stock and Bitcoin
- Zero to No transaction fees
Cons
- Scams running rampant
- Spending limits
- Money not FDIC insured
- Limited functionality
- Bitcoin fees
- Withdrawal limits
Cash App Give a ways: Cash App Friday or Cash App Super Friday
Apart from giving all important features in its payment app, the cash app does not leave a chance to entertain its users. And, therefore, it organizes giveaways on its official Twitter and Instagram account of it.
The users who are verified and interested can go and participate by using their $Cashtag. As per the giveaways, users are needed to share the giveaway’s $Cashtag on their personal accounts for awareness purposes.
Among all the participants there are a few lucky chosen users who get the giveaway prize worth from $100 to $500.
What is a $Cashtag?
$Cashtag is a unique identifier for your cash app account. It is created once a user gets their account verified on the cash app. Therefore, we can say that account verification is the first step.
Then, once your $Cashtag is created, you can send it to your friend or family members to get money transferred into your cash app balance or wallet.
In short, $Cashtag is the address of your cash app account. If you ever want to send or receive money to and from other cash app users, you send and receive your $Cashtag and get paid or pay the money respectively.
What is a Cash Boost?
A cash app boost or cash boost is something that could save you fewer amounts every time you make payments using a cash card. It is an alternate name for discounts on various places; restaurants, Cafes, Stores, etc.
It is an additional feature for saving a few pennies; however, the user needs to be verified on the cash app to have a Cash Boost offer.
How do I Open a Cash App Account?
The process for opening a cash app account is so much easier and can be completed without any support; being at home.
For that, users need to follow the given methods thoroughly:
- Initially, install the cash application either from Google Play Store or Apple store.
- Then, put your contact number.
- You will get a code; put that in your cash app’s screen section.
- Then comes adding a debit card or bank account.
- Here, you are required to mention your full name
- Now, select a unique $Cashtag
- Next, enter your postcode
- Finally, you are done with the cash app setting up process. It is ready to use now.
How is Cash App Regulated?
The cash app is a Payment service used in the USA and UK particularly. Being in use in these two nations, it is important to understand that the cash app is regulated by U.S. Security and Exchange Commission. However, the funds in the cash app account are not insured by the FDIC.
Also, there are two banks conglomerated with cash apps that provide services such as Card services and money transfer services to other cash app users.
Scams
Although, the app is considered the most secure payment option; it’s not scam-free. There are so many scammers who perform activities to make the user’s fool. These fraudsters use higher kind of acts that is difficult to recognize and therefore it creates bad for users.
For instance, these fraudsters might use different tactics like sending fraud messages pretending to be from the cash app side. Now, those who are novices might get trapped easily and as a result, it will ruin the users’ life.
Hackers use different tactics; for instance, sending texts and pretending to be from the cash app, explaining the offerings that the cash app provides, etc.
How to Avoid Scams?
Because of its rising popularity, it is obvious to have scam acts on the cash app or on any other application. The scam acts are the common issues faced by almost every surging financial service, but the influence could be minimized by our act of consciousness.
First of all, users need to go through the cash app’s norms and need to understand how it works. Also, it is important to know that the cash app’s representative does not ask for its users’ account information in any case.
So, next time you get a message claiming to be from the cash app side, you are requested to not provide any sensitive details to them.
Also, make payments with the known users only. This is why the transaction between only known are recommended.
Also, you should be aware of the details mentioned before sending the funds to the recipient as false details might cause sending funds to the wrong person which would not be coming back.
Is my Money Safe With Cash App?
The cash app is more famous for its security features that no other payment app posses. It is encrypted with internal securities that act as a shield for the outsider. To maintain security, users are requested to follow the given instructions for using the cash app. The Cash App is worth using following its guidelines for protection from scammers or fraudsters.
Only one thing seems to go against and that is the money in the cash app is not insured by FDIC. Many users who understand it might avoid using Cash App.
Major Competitors
Venmo
For those who are unaware of Venmo, it is another one of the largest payment service platforms that let users send and receive funds within a short span. It is highly activated in the transfer of funds acts. Even, it is the only service that Venmo provides. However, the cash app lets you transfer funds as well as other features like Bitcoin, Stock trading, etc.
Cash app seems worth using as compared to Venmo because of its vast features that are not in Venmo.
Zelle
It’s a quick and accurate money transfer mode that you can use even without downloading its application on your phone. Also, it is useful for domestic transfers only; abroad transfers will not take place over here.
Zelle does not offer cards like cash apps for spending funds. The only way which can be used to spend money is to transfer it to other Zelle users.
Revolut
As the cash app is popular in the USA, Revolut is widely famous in Europe. It is also available in the US to help users with their best services. Both cash app and Revolut are more similar in features; for instance, both have cryptocurrency features, both can be used to send and receive funds, and many others.
It is essential to know that through Revolut you can only invest in cryptocurrencies; however, can’t buy it like the cash app.
Also, Revolut works as a digital bank in some countries, which means it is providing more services than being only a payment app.
Summing Up!
Cash App is a renowned name among the payment service providers and it is so true as seeing the number of downloads increasing day by day for its application. The app is widely popular in the USA and UK. The services include trading of stock and cryptocurrencies, loan feature, direct deposit feature, etc. With the rising number of people downloading the app, there are more chances of it becoming the biggest payment services application along with it is a digital bank too.