Stripe Redefines Payments with Stablecoin-First Blockchain Built for Speed and Scale

Stripe and Paradigm have announced the launch of Tempo, a new blockchain network designed specifically for stablecoin payments. The project, incubated by Stripe and Paradigm, is positioned as a layer 1 blockchain, aiming to provide high-throughput, low-cost, and efficient processing for stablecoin transactions. Unlike traditional blockchains that often prioritize trading or smart contracts, Tempo is engineered with a focus on payments, including global remittances, microtransactions, tokenized deposits, and agentic payments [1]. Stripe CEO Patrick Collison emphasized that current blockchain infrastructures, even high-speed platforms like Solana, do not meet the volume or speed requirements seen in real-world financial applications [4].

Tempo’s architecture is built to handle up to 100,000 transactions per second with sub-second finality. This performance is achieved through its EVM compatibility and a foundation on Reth, an Ethereum execution client. The blockchain will not launch with a native token; instead, it will accept stablecoins as gas fees, a unique approach that aligns with the broader vision of using stablecoins as a more accessible and stable medium for value transfer [4]. This model aims to reduce reliance on volatile crypto assets for transaction fees, making the platform more user-friendly for traditional businesses and global financial services.

The project benefits from a consortium of high-profile partners, including Anthropic, Deutsche Bank, DoorDash, Nubank, OpenAI, Revolut, Shopify, Standard Chartered, and Visa. These firms are contributing to the design and development of the platform, helping to shape its capabilities for real-world use cases [1]. Paradigm, which co-founded the initiative with Stripe, highlighted that Tempo is a new company with its own full-time team and will be led by Matt Huang, who also serves as a managing partner at Paradigm. Huang emphasized that the project is designed with principles of decentralization and neutrality, including a diverse set of validators and a future transition to a permissionless model [2].

The launch of Tempo comes amid a broader surge in stablecoin adoption and a growing market. Stablecoins, now valued at $270 billion, are projected to expand into a trillion-dollar asset class as they gain traction as an alternative to traditional banking infrastructure. Proponents argue that stablecoins offer faster and cheaper cross-border payments compared to legacy systems like SWIFT or wire transfers. Stripe’s involvement, with its extensive payment infrastructure and non-crypto client base, positions Tempo to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain technology. The project also reflects Stripe’s ongoing commitment to crypto innovation, as evidenced by its past acquisitions of crypto wallet and stablecoin companies [1].

Despite the optimistic outlook, challenges remain. The regulatory landscape for crypto and stablecoins remains uncertain, and widespread adoption will depend on trust and usability in non-crypto-native markets. Tempo will initially operate in private test mode and does not yet have a public launch date. However, the project has already assembled a team of 15 employees, including Huang, who will continue to serve on Paradigm’s board alongside Alana Palmedo [2]. The initiative aims to eventually enable large enterprises to integrate onchain solutions into their financial operations, potentially accelerating the adoption of blockchain-based payments.

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)

[4] Stripe, Paradigm Unveil Tempo as Blockchain Race for High ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/stripe-paradigm-unveil-tempo-blockchain-204614972.html)