Founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey, Square initially revolutionized mobile payments with its iconic square-shaped card reader that allowed small businesses to accept credit card payments on a smartphone or tablet. The company has since expanded into a broad commerce ecosystem that includes point-of-sale systems, e-commerce tools, business management software (e.g., payroll, marketing, appointments), and access to financial services like business loans and banking products. In 2021, the parent company, Square, Inc., rebranded to Block, Inc. to reflect its growth beyond the original merchant-focused business, with "Square" remaining the brand for its seller-facing services.