Stripe and Fireblocks Build New Stablecoin Payment Powerhouses

Stripe’s Tempo and Fireblocks Could Compete With Visa and Ripple in USDC Payment Rails

In a significant development for the digital payment landscape, Stripe and Paradigm have announced the launch of Tempo, a blockchain network specifically designed for real-world stablecoin payments. The initiative marks Stripe’s latest foray into the crypto space, following its $1.1 billion acquisition of stablecoin infrastructure firm Bridge in October 2024. Tempo, built on Reth and EVM-compatible, aims to provide low-cost, high-throughput transactions, with a target of over 100,000 transactions per second (TPS) and support for cross-border remittances, payroll, and embedded financial accounts [3].

The blockchain is part of a broader trend as stablecoins gain traction as a tool for global payments and financial infrastructure. Stripe’s CEO Patrick Collison described Tempo as a “payments-oriented L1” optimized for high-scale financial applications. The company is leveraging its global payment network and Paradigm’s crypto expertise to build a blockchain that supports real-world use cases, including microtransactions and tokenized deposits [2]. Notable partners in Tempo’s development include Anthropic, Coupang, Deutsche Bank, DoorDash, OpenAI, Revolut, Shopify, and Visa [3].

Tempo’s launch comes amid growing institutional interest in stablecoin-based payments. A May 2025 Fireblocks report found that 90% of firms are already using or exploring stablecoin payment programs, with cross-border settlement as a primary driver [6]. Stripe’s move is also in line with other major players in the financial sector. For example, in June 2025, Shopify announced stablecoin payment integration in collaboration with Coinbase, while Visa expanded its stablecoin offerings by adding support for USDG, PYUSD, and EURC [5].

Fireblocks, another key player in the stablecoin infrastructure space, has also launched a payments network to help institutions move and manage USD-pegged tokens. The Fireblocks Network for Payments serves over 40 participants, including Circle, Bridge, and Yellow Card, and is designed to reduce engineering costs and operational risks associated with stablecoin payments [5]. Fireblocks processes billions of dollars in stablecoin volume daily, setting a record of $212 billion in July 2025 [6]. The firm’s CEO, Michael Shaulov, emphasized that the new network supports multiple stablecoins, unlike previous models that were limited to specific tokens like USDC [6].

The growing competition between traditional payment networks and new stablecoin-focused platforms is reshaping the financial ecosystem. With stablecoins offering 24/7 availability, lower fees, and faster settlement times, they are challenging legacy systems like Visa and Mastercard [1]. Stripe’s Tempo is positioned to capitalize on this shift, leveraging its existing merchant relationships and global payment network to provide an alternative to traditional financial rails. The company has also acquired Privy, a crypto wallet firm, and integrated Coinbase’s Base Layer 2 network into its payment products, further strengthening its crypto infrastructure [2].

As stablecoin adoption continues to rise, companies like Fireblocks, Stripe, and others are investing in infrastructure that supports seamless, secure, and scalable cross-border transactions. The development of Tempo and the Fireblocks Network reflects the industry’s recognition that stablecoins are not just a speculative asset but a viable solution for real-world financial use cases. With regulatory clarity and increasing institutional interest, stablecoin-based payment networks are expected to play a significant role in the future of global finance.

Source:

[1] Hacker News. (2025). Stripe Launches L1 Blockchain: Tempo. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45129085

[2] Paradigm. (2025, September 4). Tempo: The Blockchain Designed for Payments - Paradigm.xyz. https://www.paradigm.xyz/2025/09/tempo-payments-first-blockchain

[3] The Block. (2025, September 4). Stripe and Paradigm introduce payments-focused blockchain called Tempo. https://www.theblock.co/post/369522/stripe-paradigm-payments-focused-blockchain-tempo

[4] Cointelegraph. (2025, September 4). Stablecoin Startup 1Money Gains 34 US Licenses. https://cointelegraph.com/news/1money-stablecoin-infrastructure-licenses

[5] CoinMarketCap. (2025, September 4). Fireblocks Launches Enterprise Stablecoin Payment Network. https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/fireblocks-launches-enterprise-stablecoin-payment-network

[6] Blockworks. (2025, September 4). Fireblocks launches payments network for stablecoins. https://blockworks.co/news/fireblocks-launches-payments-network-for-stablecoins