Tempo Launches Public Testnet as Stripe-Backed Blockchain Expands Stablecoin Payments Ecosystem

Tempo, the payments-focused blockchain backed by Stripe and leading crypto investment firm Paradigm, has officially launched its public testnet—marking a major milestone in its mission to make stablecoin payments practical for everyday use. The network’s debut brings a wave of high-profile partners, including Klarna, Kalshi, Mastercard and UBS, joining earlier collaborators such as Deutsche Bank, Visa, Shopify, OpenAI and Nubank. Their participation signals growing institutional confidence in blockchain-based payment rails built specifically for speed, cost efficiency and reliability.

First introduced in September, Tempo is engineered to support high-volume transactions with low fees, instant finality and built-in stablecoin functionality. With the testnet now live, developers and enterprise partners can begin testing real-world payment flows directly on-chain. The timing aligns with the accelerating adoption of digital dollars worldwide. Stablecoins—now a $300 billion asset class—are projected to become essential infrastructure for cross-border settlements, B2B transfers, P2P transactions and even card-based payments, according to a recent report by Keyrock and Bitso.

Tempo is designed to address persistent issues seen in existing blockchain networks, such as congestion and unpredictable gas fees. The network processes transactions for roughly one-tenth of a cent, payable in U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins, removing the need for a volatile native token and making cost structures more transparent for businesses.

The testnet launch follows significant movement in the stablecoin sector, including Bridge, Stripe’s own stablecoin infrastructure arm, supporting Klarna in issuing its digital dollar in the coming year. As more financial institutions explore blockchain-based settlement, Tempo’s approach—combining enterprise-grade performance with stablecoin-native mechanics—positions it as a competitive player in the evolving landscape of digital payments.