Stripe Aims to Redefine Global Payments with Stablecoin-Focused Blockchain

Stripe and Paradigm have jointly announced the development of Tempo, a blockchain network specifically optimized for payments and stablecoin transactions. Incubated by the two entities, Tempo is being designed to address what both companies see as a gap in current blockchain infrastructure—namely, the lack of systems optimized for real-world payments. Unlike many existing protocols that prioritize trading and speculative use cases, Tempo is purpose-built to facilitate efficient, scalable, and secure payment flows, including global remittances, payroll, and tokenized deposits for continuous settlement. The project is being developed as a Layer 1 blockchain, operating independently of existing protocols and expected to support Ethereum-compatible programming languages, potentially easing adoption by existing developers.

The initiative builds on Stripe’s recent investments in crypto infrastructure, including the acquisition of Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure provider, for $1.1 billion earlier this year. The company also acquired Privy, a provider of crypto wallet technology, signaling a broader strategy to integrate blockchain into its payment offerings. Stripe’s leadership has previously highlighted the potential of stablecoins to challenge traditional payment networks like SWIFT, especially in cross-border transactions where cost and speed are critical factors. By developing Tempo, Stripe aims to take a more active role in managing the infrastructure through which stablecoin transactions are processed, thereby increasing its control over this segment of its business.

Tempo’s development is also supported by a coalition of global financial and technology leaders, including Anthropic, Coupang, Deutsche Bank, DoorDash, Nubank, OpenAI, Revolut, Shopify, and Visa. These firms are providing design input to ensure that the blockchain can support a wide range of financial services, from embedded financial accounts to microtransactions and agentic payments. Paradigm, which co-incubates the project, emphasized that Tempo is a new company with its own full-time team and is aligned with the firm’s mission to advance the frontier of blockchain technology through a combination of investment, research, and development.

The launch of Tempo marks a strategic shift for both companies, positioning them to compete more directly with other firms that are integrating blockchain into financial services. The project is seen as a natural extension of the growing demand for payment-focused digital assets. Analysts note that the move could help Stripe establish a more complete payment ecosystem, incorporating stablecoin issuance, wallet services, and now a dedicated blockchain layer. This could give the company a competitive edge in a sector where demand for efficient and scalable digital payment solutions is expanding rapidly.

Tempo remains under development by a small internal team, with no formal public launch date yet announced. The project is currently in its deployment phase, and interested parties can reach out via partners@tempo.xyz for collaboration opportunities. As the project moves forward, it is expected to contribute to the broader adoption of crypto tools and infrastructure, particularly among large enterprises looking to integrate blockchain into their operations.

Source:

[1] Tempo: The Blockchain Designed for Payments - Paradigm.xyz (https://www.paradigm.xyz/2025/09/tempo-payments-first-blockchain)

[2] Stripe building payments blockchain with Paradigm (https://thepaypers.com/crypto-web3-and-cbdc/news/stripe-building-payments-blockchain-with-paradigm)