Stripe and Paradigm Build a Future Where Stablecoins Power Global Payments

Stripe and Paradigm have announced the launch of Tempo, a new payments-focused blockchain developed to support stablecoin transactions and address the growing demand for efficient, high-throughput payment systems. The project, incubated by Stripe and Paradigm, is designed to process tens of thousands of transactions per second with sub-second finality, leveraging Stripe’s global payments infrastructure and Paradigm’s expertise in crypto technology. Tempo is positioned to offer a decentralized, neutral platform for global payments, microtransactions, remittances, and agentic payments—transactions initiated by AI agents—areas where blockchain is seen as a potential enabler of innovation and efficiency [1].

Tempo joins a broader movement in the blockchain space where stablecoin adoption is driving the creation of specialized payment networks. Unlike many existing blockchains that prioritize trading or decentralized finance (DeFi), Tempo is optimized for real-world financial use cases. It is designed to handle the volume and speed required for global payment systems, a challenge that current high-speed blockchains, such as Solana, have not fully met according to Stripe CEO Patrick Collison. Tempo targets a throughput of 100,000 transactions per second and will allow fees to be paid in stablecoins rather than a native token, distinguishing it from many other blockchain projects [3].

The project has already drawn participation from a number of major industry players, including Visa, Deutsche Bank, Shopify, Nubank, OpenAI, Revolut, and others, who are contributing to its design and development. Paradigm, which incubated the project alongside Stripe, emphasized that Tempo will maintain neutrality and operate independently from its founding investors. Matt Huang, managing partner at Paradigm and a Stripe board member, will lead the project, which currently has a team of around 15 individuals. Huang stressed that the initiative will eventually transition to a permissionless model, aligning with broader decentralization goals within the blockchain space [2].

Stablecoins, which are typically pegged to the U.S. dollar, have grown into a $270 billion asset class and are expected to expand significantly as a cost-effective alternative to traditional banking systems. Advocates argue that stablecoins can streamline cross-border payments, reduce fees, and enable 24/7 settlement of transactions. However, widespread adoption has been tempered by regulatory uncertainty and corporate hesitation. By building a blockchain tailored to stablecoin use, Stripe and Paradigm are positioning Tempo as a potential infrastructure layer for the next phase of digital payments. The platform is also EVM-compatible and built on Reth, an Ethereum execution client, ensuring interoperability with the broader Ethereum ecosystem [3].

While no launch timeline has been confirmed, Tempo is already in private test mode and is expected to evolve into a fully operational blockchain. The project’s unique focus on stablecoin-based payments, combined with its backing from a fintech giant and a leading crypto venture firm, could position it as a key player in the evolving landscape of blockchain-based financial infrastructure. As stablecoin adoption continues to grow, Tempo’s success will depend on its ability to attract both developers and enterprises seeking faster, more cost-effective payment solutions. The absence of a native token, combined with its EVM compatibility, may facilitate broader enterprise adoption and integration with existing financial systems [1].

Source:

[1] Stripe and Paradigm announce new payments-focused ... (https://fortune.com/crypto/2025/09/04/stripe-paradigm-tempo-blockchain-stablecoins-matt-huang-payments/)

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

[3] Stablecoin News: Stripe, Paradigm Unveils Payments ... (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/04/stripe-paradigm-unveil-tempo-as-blockchain-race-for-high-speed-stablecoin-payments-heats-up)