• KlarnaUSD issuance via Bridge on Tempo blockchain for payment efficiency.

• Stablecoin targets internal payments initially, expanding to merchants and consumers.

• Global stablecoin volume at $27 trillion yearly, potentially surpassing traditional systems by 2030 with $304 billion market cap.

Discover how Klarna’s KlarnaUSD stablecoin revolutionizes cross-border payments. Learn about its launch on Tempo, cost savings, and future crypto integrations for seamless global transactions.

What is KlarnaUSD Stablecoin?

KlarnaUSD is a US dollar-pegged stablecoin launched by the Sweden-based digital bank Klarna to enhance its payment infrastructure. Issued through Bridge on the Tempo blockchain—developed by Stripe and Paradigm for payments—it enables faster and more cost-effective cross-border transactions. Currently in testing, a full public rollout is slated for next year, focusing initially on internal processes before broader adoption.

How Does KlarnaUSD Reduce Cross-Border Payment Costs?

KlarnaUSD addresses the high fees in global payments, which total around $120 billion annually, by utilizing blockchain technology for near-instant settlements at minimal cost. Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Klarna’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized, “Crypto is finally at a stage where it is fast, low-cost, secure, and built for scale […] With 114 million customers and $112 billion in annual GMV, Klarna has the scale to change payments globally: with Klarna’s scale and Tempo’s infrastructure, we can challenge old networks and make payments faster and cheaper for everyone.” This integration builds on Klarna’s partnership with Stripe, which processes payments in 26 markets, allowing seamless scaling for merchants and consumers. Data from McKinsey shows stablecoin transactions already exceed $27 trillion yearly, highlighting the potential for widespread efficiency gains without the delays of traditional rails.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Launch Timeline for KlarnaUSD Stablecoin?

KlarnaUSD is currently in test mode on the Tempo blockchain, with a full public rollout planned for next year. It will initially support internal payment processes at Klarna before expanding to merchant and consumer applications, as announced by the company on November 25, 2025.

Why is Klarna Entering the Stablecoin Market Now?

Klarna is launching KlarnaUSD to capitalize on the surging stablecoin market, which has grown to a $304 billion capitalization from $260 billion between July and November 2025. With regulatory advancements like the US GENIUS Act and Europe’s supportive framework, the timing aligns with Klarna’s recent NYSE listing and strong Q3 financials, including 23% GMV growth to $903 million in revenue.

Key Takeaways

• KlarnaUSD on Tempo Blockchain: Powers efficient global transfers, starting with internal use and expanding outward for 114 million users.
• Cost Reduction Impact: Targets $120 billion in annual cross-border fees, leveraging $27 trillion stablecoin volume for savings up to $114 billion yearly by 2030 per Treasury estimates.
• Future Crypto Expansions: Klarna hints at additional partnerships, positioning itself among fintech leaders like PayPal and Stripe in mainstream stablecoin adoption.

Conclusion

Klarna’s launch of the KlarnaUSD stablecoin marks a pivotal step in integrating blockchain into traditional fintech, promising reduced cross-border payment costs and enhanced efficiency for global transactions. With robust backing from authoritative analyses by McKinsey and the Bank for International Settlements, this initiative could transform everyday payments. As stablecoin markets continue to expand, Klarna’s move invites further innovation, encouraging users to explore these advancements for more accessible financial services ahead.

Introducing KlarnaUSD, our first stablecoin.

We’re the first bank to launch on Tempo, the payments blockchain by Stripe and Paradigm.

With stablecoin transactions already at $27T a year, we’re bringing faster, cheaper cross-border payments to our 114M customers.

Crypto is…

— Klarna (November 25, 2025)

Klarna, the Sweden-based digital bank, has officially announced the launch of KlarnaUSD, a US dollar stablecoin. This move makes it the latest global fintech company to tap blockchain rails for powering global transfers.

The token is set to go live on Tempo, a blockchain developed by Stripe and Paradigm specifically for payment use cases. The token will be issued through Bridge, Stripe’s stablecoin infrastructure product, and is currently in test mode. A full public rollout is planned for next year.

At launch, Klarna’s stablecoin will serve internal payment processes, with expansion to merchant and consumer use expected in the future. The rollout aims to streamline international payments and reduce costs for both consumers and merchants.

KlarnaUSD to help reduce the cost of cross-border payments

The fintech giant is also known for its “buy now, pay later” empire. Its CEO is known to dismiss crypto. However, earlier this year, CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski announced that the fintech giant would embrace crypto. Siemiatkowski said at the time that Klarna was preparing to integrate crypto services and invited the community to weigh in on potential features.

To that end, Klarna stated that the token will help reduce the cost of cross-border payments, a space where global fees amount to roughly $120 billion annually. The partnership also builds on Klarna’s existing work with Stripe, which handles much of Klarna’s payment processing across 26 global markets.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski, co-founder and CEO of Klarna, stated, “Crypto is finally at a stage where it is fast, low-cost, secure, and built for scale […] With 114 million customers and $112 billion in annual GMV [gross merchandise value], Klarna has the scale to change payments globally: with Klarna’s scale and Tempo’s infrastructure, we can challenge old networks and make payments faster and cheaper for everyone.”

Klarna promises more crypto projects amidst  its 52-week lows

Klarna aims for its stablecoin to be used in everyday transactions, not just on crypto platforms. The company also hinted at more crypto-related partnerships in the press release to come in the weeks ahead.

The move also puts Klarna alongside other big names in the race. As reported by Cryptopolitan, PayPal launched its own stablecoin, and Stripe rolled out one after acquiring Bridge for $1.1 billion. Klarna is now joining the shortlist of mainstream payments firms that are bringing stablecoins into their core business.

Additionally, last month, remittances service provider Western Union announced that it would introduce a stablecoin on the Solana network with Anchorage Digital.

Klarna enters crypto with solid momentum. The company recently listed on the NYSE, raising $1.37 billion. In Q3, it posted 23% growth in gross merchandise volume and revenue of $903 million, beating analyst expectations.

Meanwhile,the stock is trading near its 52-week lows. However, Klarna’s liquidity remains extremely strong, giving the company room to push into new products, including its first stablecoin.

Stablecoin transaction volume exceeds $27 trillion

The announcement comes as stablecoin usage continues to surge. McKinsey estimates that annual stablecoin transaction volume already exceeds $27 trillion and could surpass traditional payment systems by the end of the decade.

Interest in the asset class has also grown since the US’s GENIUS Act, the first federal crypto law, and Europe is finally giving large firms the green light to build. 

Additionally, the stablecoin market cap jumped from $260 billion to $304 billion between July and November. This has prompted issuers to purchase $44 billion in US Treasury bills to comply with a federal mandate embedded in the GENIUS Act.

The Bank for International Settlements’ findings show that a $3.5 billion increase in stablecoin market cap reduces government borrowing costs by 0.025%. At the projected $3 trillion mark, this could save the US $114 billion a year, or $900 per household.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted that stablecoins would reach $3 trillion by 2030, yielding $114 billion in annual government savings.

Also, the European Central Bank reported in November that the global stablecoin market surpassed $280 billion, led by Tether at $184 billion and USD Coin at $75 billion in market capitalization.