Why Stripe Is Building A Private Blockchain After Buying Bridge For $1.1bn And Acquiring Privy

Stripe’s Secret Blockchain Project Raises Stakes In Crypto Payments

Stripe is taking a strategic leap into blockchain with a new network designed to improve payment processing.

Known for transforming online transactions, Stripe is now building its own blockchain network, codenamed Tempo, to enhance how payments are processed.

Details of the project emerged through a job listing that has since been removed, revealing a stealth initiative aimed at creating a fast, payment-focused blockchain compatible with Ethereum.

What Is Tempo And Who Is Behind It?

Tempo is described as a high-performance Layer-1 blockchain, meaning it operates independently rather than on top of existing protocols.

Its compatibility with Ethereum’s programming language suggests developers will be able to easily migrate smart contracts and tools to this new platform.

The project is reportedly led by a small, five-person team and developed in partnership with Paradigm, a crypto venture capital firm with close ties to Stripe.

The job posting sought candidates with experience marketing to large corporations, indicating Stripe’s ambition to push this blockchain beyond crypto enthusiasts to mainstream business users.

How Tempo Fits Into Stripe’s Crypto Ambitions

Stripe’s move to build its own blockchain complements a series of recent acquisitions that bolster its position in stablecoin and crypto infrastructure.

Last October, the company acquired Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure firm, in a deal valued at $1.1 billion.

Earlier this year, Stripe bought Privy, a developer of crypto wallets.

Together, these moves allow Stripe to manage critical pieces of the payments process—from stablecoin issuance to secure wallet services.

Tempo could complete this ecosystem by giving Stripe full control over transaction settlement, reducing dependence on public blockchains and improving transaction speed and cost efficiency.

Why Having Its Own Blockchain Matters

Using external networks for crypto payments often comes with challenges such as network congestion and high fees, issues that can slow down or inflate the cost of transactions.

Stripe’s blockchain would allow the company to set transaction rules and fees internally, ensuring smoother and more reliable payment processing even during peak times.

Maintaining Ethereum compatibility also opens the door to wide adoption, as developers can bring existing Ethereum-based applications to Tempo with minimal adjustments.

The Impact Of Regulatory Changes On Stripe’s Strategy

This development comes amid clearer regulatory guidance in the US for stablecoins, driven by the GENIUS Act signed into law in July 2025.

The legislation establishes national rules for stablecoin operations, a move that has intensified interest among major tech companies.

Stripe’s CEO, Patrick Collison, has spoken openly about blockchain’s readiness for business applications, reflecting confidence that the regulatory environment is now more favourable for projects like Tempo.

Could Stripe Challenge Traditional Payment Networks?

If successful, Tempo might position Stripe as a direct competitor to established payment giants such as Visa, Mastercard, and SWIFT.

The promise of faster, cheaper, and more transparent payments could be particularly significant in markets where affordable banking is limited.

Stripe’s focus on a streamlined, payments-specific blockchain may change the way businesses and consumers handle digital transactions, potentially reshaping global finance infrastructure.

Silence From Stripe And Paradigm Adds To The Mystery

Despite the leaked information, both Stripe and Paradigm have declined to comment publicly, and the job posting hinting at Tempo’s existence was promptly removed.

This silence only fuels speculation about the scale and ambitions of the project, which could mark one of the most significant moves by a major fintech company into blockchain technology in recent years.