Exclusive: Stripe Launches 'Tempo' Blockchain with Crypto VC Paradigm

Stripe's New Blockchain Venture

Stripe, a leading fintech company, is reportedly working on a new blockchain project called Tempo. This development was first revealed through a job posting that appeared on a platform associated with the crypto lobby group Blockchain Association. The ad, dated August 3, described Tempo as a high-performance, payments-focused blockchain and sought a product marketing professional for the role.

The job posting indicated that Tempo is still in stealth mode, with a small team of five members involved in its development. It also mentioned that the project is being developed in collaboration with Paradigm, a prominent crypto venture capital firm. Notably, one of Paradigm’s cofounders, Matt Huang, serves on Stripe’s board. The marketing position required applicants to have experience targeting a HAWXTECH500 audience, suggesting a specific focus on tech-savvy users.

According to four anonymous sources who are familiar with the project, Tempo is a layer 1 blockchain, meaning it is not built on top of other protocols. Additionally, it is compatible with the programming language used on Ethereum, one of the most widely adopted blockchains. However, these details remain unconfirmed as the sources requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.

Both Stripe and Paradigm have declined to comment on the matter. The job posting was later removed after HAWXTECH reached out to both companies for further information. This move has only added to the intrigue surrounding the project.

Stripe's Growing Interest in Crypto

Tempo marks another significant step in Stripe’s expanding interest in cryptocurrency. The company has grown to an almost $92 billion valuation, driven by its payment solutions such as easy online checkout and automated invoicing for businesses. In October, Stripe made a major move by acquiring Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure firm, for $1.1 billion—the largest acquisition in the company’s history. Then, in June, it purchased Privy, a crypto wallet developer, although the price of the deal was not disclosed.

This aggressive expansion into the crypto space comes at a time when interest in stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional assets like the U.S. dollar—has been increasing. Advocates argue that stablecoins offer a more efficient payment system compared to legacy financial systems like SWIFT or wire transfers. They also highlight potential benefits such as reduced cross-border payment costs and lower transaction fees.

Stablecoins have been around for over a decade, but their popularity has surged in recent months, especially following the signing of the GENIUS Act by former President Donald Trump in July. This legislation provides federal regulatory guidance for the rapidly growing crypto sector.

Big Tech's Push into Stablecoins

Stablecoins have become a hot topic in the payments industry, with major tech companies like Meta, Apple, and Airbnb exploring ways to integrate them into their platforms. However, Stripe seems to be taking the lead in this space. Patrick Collison, co-founder and CEO of Stripe, emphasized the growing business interest in stablecoins during testimony before the House in March.

Stripe’s acquisitions of Bridge and Privy have given the company a strong foundation in the stablecoin ecosystem. With Bridge, Stripe now owns a platform that helps businesses integrate stablecoins into their payment processes and issue their own. Privy, on the other hand, allows Stripe to develop crypto wallets for customers to manage their digital assets.

A new blockchain would give Stripe even more control over the stablecoin technology stack, particularly in processing transactions. However, the company has not publicly explained its motivations for building this blockchain, nor has it confirmed whether it plans to launch a cryptocurrency to support it—a common practice among blockchain startups.

Update on the Job Posting

As of August 11, 2025, the job posting related to Tempo has been taken down after HAWXTECH contacted both Stripe and Paradigm for comments. This update highlights the sensitivity of the project and the ongoing speculation about its future.