TL;DR
- Klarna launches its first stablecoin, KlarnaUSD, on Stripe’s Tempo blockchain, marking its entry into the crypto sector.
- The global stablecoin market now exceeds $27 trillion in annual transaction volume.
- Klarna aims to cut cross-border payment costs and speed up transactions for its 114 million users while leveraging its ongoing partnership with Stripe.
Global digital bank Klarna has introduced KlarnaUSD, its first stablecoin, built on Stripe’s Tempo blockchain. The initiative allows Klarna to explore cryptocurrency-based payments and modernize its transaction infrastructure. CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski, who previously expressed skepticism toward crypto, highlighted the company’s ability to deliver faster and cheaper payments for both consumers and merchants.
Klarna Expands Into Crypto Payments
Analysts note that cross-border payments generate roughly $120 billion in annual fees, and stablecoins such as KlarnaUSD could reduce these costs substantially. KlarnaUSD is currently on Tempo’s testnet, with a full mainnet launch planned for 2026. The testnet phase allows Klarna to refine user experience, enhance transaction security, and ensure seamless integration with its existing payment solutions. The company is also exploring additional technological layers and APIs to make integration easier for merchants globally.
Strategic Partnerships And Blockchain Infrastructure
KlarnaUSD is being developed using Open Issuance by Bridge, Stripe’s stablecoin infrastructure. The collaboration reinforces Klarna’s payment capabilities across 26 international markets and allows early access to blockchain-based transaction testing. Tempo, designed specifically for payments, provides a scalable, secure environment for integrating stablecoin transactions into Klarna’s platform.
The payments sector is increasingly embracing crypto solutions. Visa recently expanded stablecoin support across multiple networks, and Western Union is piloting its own branded stablecoin for a planned release in early 2026. Industry experts suggest that as more global banks explore stablecoins, digital assets could become a standard part of cross-border commerce, potentially reshaping international payment flows over the next decade.
Stablecoin Market Growth And Industry Outlook
McKinsey estimates annual stablecoin transaction volume now exceeds $27 trillion, with market capitalization surpassing $300 billion in October 2025. This growth suggests stablecoins could rival traditional payment networks in total volume before the end of the decade.
Siemiatkowski said, “With 114 million customers and $112 billion in annual GMV, Klarna has the scale to transform payments globally. Tempo’s infrastructure allows us to make transactions faster, cheaper, and secure for everyone.”
The company plans to announce further crypto initiatives in the coming months, which may include additional partnerships, integrations, and new payment features leveraging blockchain technology.
