Tempo is putting $25 million into a fast-rising startup called Commonware, and the goal is simple — to speed up how new blockchain systems are built.
Commonware has a fresh take on blockchain architecture. Instead of starting from scratch every time, it lets developers use ready-made, modular pieces (they call them “primitives”) that can be mixed and matched to build custom blockchain networks. Think of it like LEGO blocks for developers — easy to plug in, easy to scale, and built for speed.
What’s Happening
Tempo is leading this $25 million investment to boost Commonware’s modular blockchain tools. But this isn’t just about money — it’s also a technical partnership.
Tempo will start using Commonware’s open-source building blocks for consensus, networking, and storage — the core parts of any blockchain system. This means Tempo’s engineers won’t have to spend months building low-level systems from the ground up. Instead, they can focus on what really matters — creating faster, smarter payment solutions.
According to Tempo’s team, using Commonware’s tools could allow them to hit lightning-fast speeds — under 250 milliseconds for payment confirmations — across a global, permissionless payments network. That’s huge for blockchain-based payments, where speed and reliability are everything.
A Shift in How Blockchains Are Built
Commonware’s founder, Patrick O’Grady, believes today’s “one-size-fits-all” blockchain systems are holding developers back.
Most blockchains try to do everything, and in the process, they force developers to make compromises. O’Grady wants to change that. His idea: give developers access to smaller, high-quality components they can combine however they want. No compromises. No limits.
He says, “Tempo is focused on building unique payment experiences, while Commonware provides the best tools for everything else.”
That’s the perfect combo — one team focusing on innovation, the other on the foundation that makes it possible.
More Than Just an Investment
This partnership isn’t just about funding. Once Commonware’s technology is live on Tempo’s network, it will be tested in real-world conditions — handling actual payment traffic at scale.
That live data will help Commonware fine-tune its tools, making them stronger and more reliable for everyone who uses the open-source library. So, both sides win — Tempo gets faster performance, and Commonware gets priceless real-world insights to keep improving its tech.
The Story Behind Commonware
Commonware was founded in 2024 and quickly made headlines with Alto, a lightweight blockchain prototype that showed off how its “remixable” primitives work.
Earlier, the company raised $9 million in seed funding, backed by Haun Ventures and Dragonfly, along with support from big names like Avalanche’s Kevin Sekniqi and Solana’s Mert Mumtaz.
Now, with Tempo joining the mix, things are scaling up fast.
Tempo itself is no small player — it’s a payments-focused blockchain valued at around $5 billion, following a $500 million funding round led by Thrive Capital and Greenoaks. It’s one of the few blockchain projects tackling stablecoin settlements and cross-border payments at a truly global level.
Why It Matters
This partnership could mark a major step forward for the blockchain world. Instead of rebuilding the wheel, developers will soon have powerful, flexible tools to build faster, more specialized systems.
Tempo gets to deliver quicker payments worldwide, and Commonware gets to prove its modular vision works at scale.
Simple idea. Big potential.
And if it works, it might just change how the next generation of blockchains are built.
