Tempo, a Layer 1 blockchain optimized for stablecoin payments, has settled 3.9 million transactions across 177,000 unique addresses since its mainnet launch in March 2026. The network's stablecoin supply currently exceeds $25 million, with full Dune Analytics integration live.
Tempo was incubated by Stripe and Paradigm. Paradigm co-founder Matt Huang serves as Tempo's CEO. The network positions itself as settlement infrastructure for businesses moving digital dollars, prioritizing stablecoin payments over general-purpose smart contract applications.
The mainnet launched in March 2026 following a public testnet that ran from December 2025. Tempo is built on the Reth SDK, an EVM execution client, ensuring compatibility with Ethereum's virtual machine and tooling.
The chain uses Simplex BFT Consensus via Commonware, designed for deterministic sub-second finality under normal conditions with graceful degradation during network stress. Once a block is confirmed, it is final and cannot be reorganized—essential for payments networks where merchants and banks require immediate settlement certainty.
Unlike general-purpose chains, Tempo does not use a volatile native gas token. Transaction fees are paid directly in stablecoins, eliminating unpredictable fee spikes from congestion.
Tempo launched with design input from DoorDash, Stripe, Coastal, and ARQ, all bringing stablecoin payment flows into production. The network also added Receive Policies, offering account holders native controls over inbound TIP-20 stablecoin transfers.
Tempo competes with other purpose-built payment chains such as Arc. Stablecoin payment volumes are projected to match Visa and Mastercard transaction volumes between 2031 and 2039.
