Move strengthens Stripe’s blockchain push as Tempo testnet opens to developers
Payments leader Stripe has acquired the team behind Valora a mobile crypto wallet platform, in a move that deepens its investment in blockchain technology and expands its capabilities in stablecoin focused infrastructure. The acquisition comes just one day after Stripe and its partners launcched the Tempo blockchain testnet, a new layer 1 network built to support fast, browser-based stablecoin creation.
Valora CEO Jackie Bona confirmed that the wallet’s engineering team will join Stripe to work on its crypto initiatives, bringing expertise in global payments, digital wallets and mobile-native Web3 products. The Valora platform, launched in 2021 after a spin-out from cLabs, raised $20 million in Series A funding and has since developed tools supporting stablecoins and assets across Celo, Ethereum, Base, Optimism and Arbitrum.
Bona said “Stripe shares our conviction that stablecoins and crypto can dramatically expand who gets to participate in the global econom,” noting that combining Valoras Web3 experience with Stripe’s global infrastructure provides a significant scaling opportunity. She added that access to stablecoin and crypto rails can materially broaden economic inclusion, a mission the team believes will accelerate within Stripe.
Although Stripe did not specify the teams new responsibilities, the company gains a group experienced in user-first mobile crypto applications, a capability aligned with Tempo’s design goals.
The Valora app will continue operating, but ongoing development and management will return to cLabs, the original steward of the Celo ecosystem.
The acquisition follows increasing momentum around Stripe’s blockchain efforts. Tempo, announced four months ago in partnership with venture firm Paradigm, already carries a $5 billion pre-launch valuation. Early testnet features highlight browser-based stablecoin creation, low-friction developer tools and simplified global value transfer—capabilities Stripe aims to integrate into its broader financial infrastructure.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.