Stripe-Backed Blockchain Tempo Launches Public Testnet with New Institutional Partners
Tempo, a payments-focused blockchain developed by Stripe and Paradigm, launched its public testnet to enable real-world payment testing. The network aims to handle high-volume financial transactions with low fees, instant finality, and native support for stablecoins.
New institutional partners joining Tempo include Kalshi, Klarna, Mastercard, and UBS, expanding its roster alongside earlier partners such as Deutsche Bank, Visa, Shopify, OpenAI, and Nubank. With the testnet live, developers and corporate partners can experiment with on-chain real-world payments.
Tempo charges around one-tenth of a cent per transaction, payable in USD-denominated stablecoins, removing the need for a volatile gas token. This launch aligns with a broader trend towards stablecoin-based payment rails, as stablecoins—valued around $300 billion—are expected to become essential for cross-border payments across business-to-business, peer-to-peer, and card transactions.
Additionally, Stripe’s stablecoin infrastructure firm Bridge is supporting Klarna in issuing its own digital dollar next year, highlighting growing momentum within the ecosystem.
