How I Learned the Hard Way (My First Cash App Experiment)
I’ll be honest — I learned this one the hard way.
In mid-2023, I tried to bypass PayPal completely.
My friend Jasmine said, “Just use Cash App — it’s faster.”
So I added my Cash App card to Depop, sold a pair of Doc Martens for $72… and waited.
The payment never hit.
That’s when I discovered something crucial: Depop doesn’t technically “pay with Cash App” — it pays to your linked payout method through Depop Payments.
But Cash App can act as that payout method if set up correctly.
How Depop Payments Actually Work (and Where Cash App Fits In)
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Depop no longer uses PayPal for most new sellers. Since 2022, all US accounts use Depop Payments powered by Stripe.
That means:
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You add a bank account or debit card for deposits.
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Stripe sends funds 1–3 days after the buyer confirms delivery.
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You can’t choose PayPal or Venmo as payout methods directly.
Cash App doesn’t appear on the list — but since it provides a Cash App debit card (with routing + account numbers), it works as a pseudo-bank.
How to Link Cash App to Depop
Here’s exactly what worked for me on my third attempt (the first two failed due to routing mismatches).
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Open Cash App → Tap “Banking” tab.
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Tap “Routing and Account Number” — copy both.
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In Depop, go to Settings → Payments → Depop Balance → Payout Method.
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Choose “Add bank account” → paste your Cash App routing and account numbers.
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Wait for Stripe micro-deposit verification (usually 1–2 business days).
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Confirm deposits inside Cash App when they arrive.
Once verified, all Depop payouts go straight to your Cash App balance automatically.
Honest Failure #1 — The Declined Deposit
In July 2023, I linked Cash App instantly using the debit card instead of the routing number.
Stripe rejected it: “Unable to process — invalid institution.”
Turns out, Depop’s payment processor (Stripe) only accepts Cash App routing numbers linked to verified accounts.
If your Cash App isn’t verified with ID, it’ll fail silently.
When Does Depop Actually Send the Money?
Depop’s payout schedule is simple once you understand the timeline:
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Delay |
|---|---|---|
| Sale completed | Buyer pays, Depop holds funds | Instant |
| Item marked “Shipped” | Timer starts | 0 days |
| Item delivered | Payout initiated | +2 days |
| Cash App receives | Stripe → Cash App transfer | +1–3 business days |
Total: ≈ 3–5 days from delivery → Cash App balance.
Honest Failure #2 — The “Pending Forever” Bug
In January 2024, I had $412 in Depop payments stuck for five days.
Stripe marked them “Processing,” but Cash App never showed them.
After contacting Depop Support, I learned my Cash App routing number had changed when I ordered a new Cash Card.
Always re-verify routing numbers after getting a new card — otherwise, your payout goes into limbo.
People Always Ask Me: “Can Depop Send to Cash App Instantly?”
No — not yet.
Depop uses standard ACH transfers through Stripe.
That means no instant deposits like PayPal or Venmo.
Even with Cash App linked, Stripe still batches payouts once per business day.
Instant transfers aren’t supported because Depop doesn’t use Cash App’s peer-to-peer network — only its banking rails.
Common Question I See: “Can You Get Paid on Depop Without a Bank Account?”
Yes, if you use Cash App as a proxy.
That’s actually how I got started as a student seller in 2022.
I didn’t have a traditional checking account, but Cash App’s routing number acted like one.
It worked perfectly for six months — until I hit Depop’s $600 IRS reporting threshold (more on that below).
Taxes & Cash App: The 2025 Reality
Here’s the tricky part.
If you use Cash App as your Depop payout method, Stripe still reports income under your legal name and SSN tied to Depop Payments.
So even though the money hits your Cash App balance, you’ll still receive a 1099-K form from Stripe (not from Cash App).
Don’t think you can “hide” earnings that way — it’s fully traceable.
Honest Failure #3 — The Tax Mismatch Scare
Last April, I had $8,430 in Depop sales, all paid through Cash App.
Stripe reported $8,430 to the IRS, but my Cash App history showed only $8,408.
That $22 difference triggered a tax review flag.
Why? Cash App rounded one of the micro-deposits differently.
Lesson learned: always download your full Cash App CSV for taxes — don’t rely on screenshots.
Here’s Where It Gets Interesting: Cash App as a Seller’s Hub
Once I got payouts working, I realized Cash App actually simplifies cash flow for small resellers:
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Instant access to funds (you can spend directly with your Cash Card).
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Built-in savings and Bitcoin options.
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Routing number works with most marketplaces (Depop, Etsy, Shopify).
I now route all side-platform payouts (Mercari, Kidizen) into the same Cash App account. Keeps accounting frictionless.
Tools That Make the Setup Easier
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Closo – automates Depop payout checks and listing sync.
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Stripe Dashboard – track deposit attempts and failed transfers.
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Cash App Tax CSV Exporter – free in settings.
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Google Sheets + Zapier – auto-log payouts daily.
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Closo AI Finance Module (beta) – predicts payout times and alerts if routing changes.
I use Closo to automate payout tracking and flag failed deposits — saves about 3 hours weekly and prevents “missing funds” headaches.
Honest Limitation — Cash App Isn’t FDIC-Insured (Directly)
Cash App balances are protected through partner banks, not directly FDIC-insured in your name.
For small sellers, that’s fine. For anyone doing $5K+/month, I recommend linking a traditional account instead.
Can You Use Cash App for Buying on Depop?
No — Depop only accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or cards at checkout.
You can’t check out with Cash App directly.
But you can fund your Cash Card with Cash App balance, then use that card like any Visa debit.
So in practice, yes — but indirectly.
Comparison Table: Depop Payout Methods
| Payout Method | Processing Speed | Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash App (via routing) | 3–5 days | $0 | Works if verified |
| Traditional Bank | 2–4 days | $0 | Most reliable |
| PayPal (legacy) | 1–2 days | 2.9% fee | Not for new users |
| Venmo / Zelle | ❌ | — | Unsupported |
Cash App sits right in the middle — convenient but slightly slower.
Honest Observation — Cash App Simplifies Budgeting
I started using Cash App envelopes (“Cash App Savings”) to split Depop profits automatically — 60 % reinvestment, 30 % taxes, 10 % pocket money.
That one habit made quarterly tax season painless.
Here’s the Catch — Not Every Card Works
Cash App cards from unverified users or business accounts sometimes fail Stripe verification.
If you see “Invalid Account,” switch to the routing number method instead.
And if you opened Cash App using a nickname, update it to your legal name — Stripe requires matching identity fields.
People Always Ask Me: “Can You Get Scammed Linking Cash App?”
It’s safe if you only link it inside Depop’s official payment settings.
Never send funds manually or click “Request” links sent through DMs.
Cash App + Depop scams usually start when buyers ask you to “go off-app” for faster payment.
If someone says, “I’ll pay you on Cash App right now, just cancel Depop,” block them.
Depop Support can’t protect you off-platform.
Honest Limitation — Customer Service Lag
If payouts fail, you’ll deal with two supports: Depop and Stripe.
Response times:
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Depop: 2–5 days.
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Stripe: 1–3 days.
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Cash App: 3–7 days.
It’s not ideal. I use Closo alerts to know exactly which side failed before contacting anyone.
How to Disconnect Cash App from Depop
If you ever switch to a normal bank account:
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Go to Depop → Settings → Payments.
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Tap your existing payout method.
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Select “Remove account.”
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Add new routing/account details.
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Verify micro-deposits again.
Always remove inactive payout methods before closing your Cash App — otherwise, deposits can bounce into a dead account.
My Real Results (2023–2025 Tracking)
| Period | # of Payouts | Avg Amount | Failed Transfers | Avg Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Q3 | 41 | $64 | 3 | 5 days |
| 2024 Q1 | 52 | $88 | 1 | 3 days |
| 2024 Q4 | 60 | $112 | 0 | 2.8 days |
Once verified and stable, Cash App performs nearly identically to traditional checking.
Honest Limitation — No Business Integrations Yet
Unlike PayPal, Cash App doesn’t yet offer business-grade integrations for analytics or refunds.
So if you’re scaling to hundreds of sales per month, move to a business account with Stripe or your local bank.
Final Thoughts
So, does Depop pay with Cash App?
Not officially — but with the right setup, it works flawlessly.
You just need a verified Cash App account, a linked routing number, and patience for Stripe’s 2–3-day transfer lag.
I’ve been using it since 2023 for small-batch Depop payouts, and it’s reliable enough to replace a bank — at least for part-time sellers.
Just remember: keep your info updated, watch for new routing numbers, and automate your payout tracking.
That’s the real 2025 shortcut.
Worth Reading
For deeper selling automation, check What Happens After You Accept an Offer on Depop and How to Boost Depop Listing in the Closo Seller Hub — both expand on payout automation, error tracking, and AI scheduling for Depop sellers.
