How Klarna Is Turning into the Crypto Cooler – Soon to Launch a Stablecoin

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Imagine a Swedish fintech giant, Klarna, casually wading into the wild world of cryptocurrency, like a person dipping their toes into a pool of Jell-O-only to realize it’s actually lava. They’ve just announced they’re launching a USD stablecoin in 2026. Because, why not? Who doesn’t love a futuristic money scheme that’s three years away? 😎

Klarna To Launch Stablecoin On Tempo Blockchain

In what can only be described as the fintech equivalent of preparing for the next ice age, Klarna has launched its stablecoin prototype on Tempo’s testnet. Say hello to KlarnaUSD, the digital dollar of tomorrow-backed, apparently, one-to-one by the actual US Dollar, which is reassuring if you enjoy your money backed by the very thing Congress can’t seem to keep in check.

To add layers of complexity, Klarna (the global juggernaut headquartered in Sweden, with its US fans being the loudest) is dipping its toes into the digital asset pond for the first time. Because what’s more fun than digital coins that may or may not turn into Monopoly money? 💸

KlarnaUSD is built using Bridge’s Open Issuance platform-think of it as a digital factory where stablecoins are produced faster than you can say “blockchain.” The whole thing runs on Tempo, a blockchain cooked up by Stripe and Paradigm-two companies that seem to think payments and crypto go together like peanut butter and more peanut butter.

Stripe, which recently acquired Bridge (because what’s a fintech saga without acquisitions), boasts that their friendship with Klarna is as cozy as a pair of slippers. Their partnership spans across 26 markets, ensuring they’re keeping the global economy buzzing with… well, potential.

Klarna’s mission, or at least their public relations team’s mission, is to cut down the $120 billion lost annually on cross-border transaction fees. Because who doesn’t want to save a few billion without lifting a finger? 🤷‍♂️

Stablecoins seem to be gaining ground faster than tech startups in Silicon Valley, with some regulators finally giving them a nod of approval-probably because regulators love shiny new toys. McKinsey says these fiat-pegged coins handle a staggering $27 trillion a year-enough to make traditional banks sweat like they’re in a sauna.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Klarna’s co-founder and CEO, crowned himself the future king of payments, saying:

“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.” Sure, buddy, just don’t forget to send a thank you card once you’re ruling the crypto world.

Right now, Klarna is just toying around on Tempo’s testnet, presumably practicing their magic tricks before the grand reveal next year. Rumor has it they’re already eyeing the next partner-because what’s life without endless crypto surprises?

Meanwhile, on the bitcoin frontier, CryptoQuant’s community analyst Maartunn uncovered a transaction that sent long-term holder SOPR into the stratosphere-up 80,472 points. Basically, someone moved old coins worth about $1 (yes, one dollar) when BTC was around $84,000. It’s like digging out a dusty jar of coins from your attic and realizing it’s worth a fortune-except it’s digital and the attic is blocked by blockchain.

The origin of these coins? A wallet that’s been hoarding 13 BTC since 2013-basically, an old-timer who’s been casually selling about 1 BTC every year since 2018. Because what else do you do when you’ve been holding onto digital gold for a decade? Definitely not panic sell, right? 🧐

BTC Price

Bitcoin briefly climbed above $89,000, like a rebellious teenager on a growth spurt. But now it’s back to $86,200-probably sulking in the corner, waiting for the next hashtag-worthy price spike.

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2025-11-26 12:00