Klarna stablecoin debuts on Tempo to reshape payments

Payment giant Klarna is taking its first major step into digital assets as it prepares to launch the klarna stablecoin within a new blockchain ecosystem.

What is Klarna planning with its new stablecoin?

Payment solutions company Klarna has announced the launch of a new stablecoin on Tempo, an independent blockchain designed specifically for payments by Stripe and Paradigm. The project targets global retail transactions and aims to reduce frictions in cross-border commerce.

According to the company, this new asset will be fully integrated into Klarna’s payment stack. Moreover, it is expected to support both online and in-store transactions, providing instant settlement and predictable pricing for consumers and merchants.

How does Tempo position itself in the payments ecosystem?

Tempo is being developed as an infrastructure layer dedicated to high-volume, low-cost transactions. Backed by Stripe and Paradigm, the network focuses on payments rather than speculative trading, with architecture optimized for speed, security and scalability in everyday commerce.

However, the initiative also signals growing competition with traditional card networks and bank transfers. By offering programmable settlement rails, Tempo could enable new financial products while keeping transaction costs low for global users.

What did Klarna’s CEO say about the crypto strategy?

In a press release, Klarna CEO and co-founder Sebastian Siemiatkowski highlighted the scale of the company’s operations. “With 114 million customers and $112 billion in annual transaction volume, Klarna has the scale to transform payments globally,” he said, underlining the firm’s reach in key markets.

“With Tempo’s infrastructure, we can challenge the old networks and make payments both faster and cheaper for everyone. Crypto is now fast, cheap, secure, and scalable enough. This is the beginning of Klarna’s journey into crypto, and I look forward to continuing to shape the future of payments together with Stripe and Tempo,” Siemiatkowski added, framing the move as a long-term strategic shift.

When will KlarnaUSD go live on Tempo?

The new asset, named KlarnaUSD, will be launched on Tempo’s main network in 2026. That said, the company has not yet disclosed technical details such as reserve structure, on-chain governance, or regulatory framework for the token.

However, Klarna has confirmed that the klarna stablecoin will be native to Tempo’s settlement layer, suggesting a tight integration with merchant tools and consumer apps once the mainnet is fully operational.

Moreover, the launch timeline indicates that Klarna, Stripe and Paradigm are aligning around a shared vision for next-generation digital settlement, using stable-value assets to make everyday transactions more efficient at global scale.

In summary, KlarnaUSD on Tempo positions Klarna to compete more directly in the evolving crypto payments landscape, while Stripe and Paradigm reinforce their roles as core infrastructure providers for the future of blockchain-based commerce.