{"id":7609,"date":"2025-05-28T14:40:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T13:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/investx.fr\/en\/?p=7609"},"modified":"2025-05-28T14:42:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T13:42:13","slug":"stellar-xlm-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/investx.fr\/en\/learn\/crypto\/stellar\/","title":{"rendered":"Stellar (XLM) in 2026 : What It Is, How It Works & Key Uses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Join Our New Telegram<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is Stellar (XLM) ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stellar<\/strong> is a decentralized blockchain platform<\/strong> designed to facilitate money transfers and cross-border payments. Launched in 2014, this financial infrastructure connects institutions, businesses, and individuals worldwide, offering fast, low-cost transactions. The network distinguishes itself through its ability to process exchanges between different currencies, both traditional and digital.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"stellar<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

XLM<\/strong> (or Lumen<\/strong>) is the native cryptocurrency<\/a><\/strong> of the Stellar network. It serves both as a payment method<\/strong> for transaction fees and as a bridge<\/strong> between different exchanged currencies. Each transaction requires a tiny amount of XLM (0.00001 lumens), preventing attacks while maintaining minimal costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Stellar Development Foundation<\/strong> (SDF), a non-profit organization, oversees the protocol’s development. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, Stellar wasn’t designed as a speculative investment but as a practical financial tool<\/strong> solving real problems in international payments and financial inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The History of XLM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The story of Stellar<\/strong> begins in 2014<\/strong>, when Jed McCaleb<\/strong>, founder of Mt. Gox and co-founder of Ripple<\/a><\/strong>, partnered with Joyce Kim<\/strong> to create a new blockchain. This initiative stemmed from a divergence of vision<\/strong> with Ripple, which McCaleb had left due to disagreements about the project’s direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, the Stellar protocol was based on Ripple’s<\/strong>. However, while Ripple targets financial institutions<\/strong> for significant transactions, Stellar focuses on individuals<\/strong> and micro-payments<\/strong>, with a more inclusive vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2015<\/strong>, the token’s name changed from “Stellar” to “Lumen<\/strong>” (XLM) to distinguish the network from the Stellar.org organization (now the SDF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major turning point came in 2017<\/strong> with the announcement of a strategic partnership with IBM<\/strong>. This collaboration enabled the development of cross-border payment solutions using the Stellar blockchain, giving the project considerable legitimacy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"ibm<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In November 2019<\/strong>, the SDF made a radical decision by burning more than half<\/strong> of the total XLM supply, reducing it from 105 billion to 50 billion<\/strong> tokens to make the ecosystem more efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Created XLM ?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jed McCaleb<\/strong> is the central figure behind Stellar. A visionary entrepreneur, his career is marked by noteworthy projects in the crypto universe. Before Stellar, McCaleb had founded Mt. Gox<\/strong> in 2010 and co-founded Ripple Labs<\/strong> in 2011. Where Ripple focused on large financial institutions, McCaleb envisioned a more inclusive and accessible approach.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Jed<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With this vision, he partnered with Joyce Kim<\/strong>, a former venture capital attorney, to found Stellar in July 2014<\/strong> and create the Stellar Development Foundation<\/strong> (SDF), a non-profit organization dedicated to network development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McCaleb’s vision for Stellar is distinguished by its emphasis on global financial inclusion<\/strong>. He believes blockchain can help solve real problems for the unbanked, particularly in developing countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, although McCaleb has reduced his direct involvement in day-to-day operations, his vision continues to influence the project’s strategic direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is XLM Cryptocurrency Used For ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

XLM<\/strong> plays several fundamental roles in the Stellar ecosystem. Its primary function is to serve as a bridge currency<\/strong> in multi-currency transactions : When a user wants to convert one currency to another, the network can use XLM as an intermediary, enabling smooth automatic conversion<\/strong> between different currencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each transaction on the network requires minimal fees<\/strong> of 0.00001 XLM. These fees, negligible for the user, play a crucial role in preventing denial of service attacks<\/strong> (DDoS). The protocol also requires each account to maintain a minimum balance<\/strong> of 0.5 XLM. This “base reserve” prevents the proliferation of inactive accounts and contributes to network health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

XLM also serves as a medium of exchange<\/strong> and store of value<\/strong> within the ecosystem. The Stellar Development Foundation<\/strong> uses its reserves to fund protocol development and support adoption initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"stellar<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Finally, XLM plays a role in governance<\/strong> of the network, allowing holders to participate in community discussions and indirectly influence protocol evolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discover Stellar (XLM) on Bitget !<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How Does the Stellar Network Work ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Stellar<\/strong> network is built on a unique blockchain technology, designed to be fast, economical, and accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Stellar Consensus Protocol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of the network is the Stellar Consensus Protocol<\/strong> (SCP), developed by Stanford professor David Mazi\u00e8res. Unlike proof of work (PoW)<\/strong> or proof of stake (PoS) mechanisms, SCP uses a model called “Federated Byzantine Agreement”<\/strong> (FBA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this model, each node selects a set of trusted nodes, forming a “quorum slice”<\/strong>. Consensus is reached when enough nodes agree on the validity of a transaction. This method allows transactions to be validated in just 3 to 5 seconds<\/strong> on average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The network consists of numerous servers distributed<\/strong> globally, each maintaining a copy of the distributed ledger<\/strong> that records all transactions. Stellar can process up to 1000 transactions per second<\/strong>, placing it among the most performant blockchains.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"stellar<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

An Integrated DEX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A distinctive feature is its native decentralized exchange<\/strong> (DEX), allowing users to create buy and sell offers for different asset pairs without a centralized intermediary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Anchors<\/strong>,” typically financial institutions, serve as gateways between Stellar and the traditional financial system, issuing digital representations of fiat currencies on the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, to ensure security, Stellar implements several protection mechanisms, such as minimal transaction fees, asset freezing<\/strong>, and trust limits allowing users to specify which issuers they accept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages and Disadvantages of Stellar (XLM)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let’s now look at the strengths and areas for improvement of Stellar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages of Stellar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. The speed of transactions<\/strong> is a major advantage, with an average validation time of 3 to 5 seconds<\/strong>, far surpassing Bitcoin<\/a> or Ethereum<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The extremely low transaction fees<\/strong> (0.00001 XLM) make micro-payments viable and enable international transfers at negligible cost compared to traditional systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The network’s scalability<\/strong> (up to 1000 transactions per second) positions it favorably for large-scale adoption.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"transactions<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
      \n
    1. The integrated decentralized exchange<\/a><\/strong> offers a unique functionality for automatic conversion between different currencies without intermediaries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. The reduced energy consumption<\/strong> of SCP makes Stellar significantly more eco-friendly than proof-of-work based cryptocurrencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. The strategic partnerships<\/strong> with companies like IBM and MoneyGram demonstrate its credibility in the traditional financial world.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Disadvantages of Stellar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. The relative centralization<\/strong> is a major criticism, with significant influence from the SDF and a large portion of XLM under its control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. The intense competition<\/strong> in the blockchain payment sector represents a challenge, facing Ripple, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. The price volatility<\/strong> of XLM remains an obstacle to its adoption as a daily payment method.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. The technical complexity<\/strong> can be a barrier to entry for new users and developers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. The regulatory challenges<\/strong> also represent a potential obstacle, with approaches varying considerably between countries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. The limited awareness<\/strong> among the general public compared to Bitcoin or Ethereum can hinder its mass adoption.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        XLM Price and Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Stellar (XLM)<\/strong> has experienced a price evolution characteristic of established cryptocurrencies<\/a>, with periods of high volatility but also certain resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        At its launch in 2014, XLM was worth a fraction of a cent. The cryptocurrency remained discreet until the 2017-2018 bull run<\/strong>, reaching its all-time high at nearly $0.93<\/strong> in January 2018, coinciding with the announcement of the IBM partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n

        \n
        \"stellar
        XLMUSD – Tradingview 1W<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

        Like most cryptocurrencies, XLM underwent a severe correction during the “crypto winter”<\/strong> of 2018-2019, losing more than 90% of its value. The bull market of 2020-2021<\/strong> offered a new growth opportunity, with a new peak at about $0.80<\/strong> in May 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Late 2024, it saw an incredible rise of over 500% in just 3 weeks, reaching $0.63. Today in 2025, its market capitalization<\/strong> fluctuates around $9 billion and places it in the top 20 largest cryptocurrencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stellar (XLM) Price Predictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        For short and medium-term horizons, XLM could reach a range of $1.20 to $2.50 by 2026, depending on the adoption of cross-border payment solutions and integration with traditional financial systems.<\/p>\n\n\n

        \n
        \"stellar<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

        By 2030, the token could trade between $5 and $15 if Stellar manages to establish itself as a major infrastructure for international payments and central bank digital currencies, with significant adoption in emerging markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        For the very long term, 2050 projections are naturally more speculative, but in an optimistic scenario where Stellar becomes a pillar of global financial infrastructure, XLM could reach $30 to $50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        These estimates are very optimistic and heavily dependent on the long-term success of the project, regulatory evolution, and its ability to adapt to future technological innovations. They involve a high degree of uncertainty and do not constitute investment advice. As always, we encourage you to do your own research and analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
        Buy $XLM now !<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Key Moments in Stellar (XLM) History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Let’s now look at all the moments that have shaped Stellar’s journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        July 2014<\/strong> : Creation of Stellar by Jed McCaleb<\/strong> and Joyce Kim<\/strong> after McCaleb’s departure from Ripple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        August 2014<\/strong> : Initial distribution with a supply of 100 billion<\/strong> tokens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        January 2015<\/strong> : Adoption of the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP)<\/strong>, improving network security and efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n

        \n
        \"stellar
        https:\/\/stellar.org\/<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

        September 2015<\/strong> : Token name change from “Stellar” to “Lumen<\/strong>” (XLM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        October 2015<\/strong> : Stripe<\/strong> invests $3 million<\/strong> in Stellar, bringing significant legitimacy to the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        May 2017<\/strong> : Announcement of partnership with IBM<\/strong> to develop a cross-border payment solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        October 2017<\/strong> : Launch of the Stellar Decentralized Exchange<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

        \n
        \"Stellar<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

        January 2018<\/strong> : All-time high price of approximately $0.93<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        November 2019<\/strong> : Reduction of XLM supply from 105 to 50 billion tokens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        October 2020<\/strong> : Integration of the USDC<\/strong> stablecoin on the Stellar network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        January 2021 <\/strong>: Signing of a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine<\/strong> to develop infrastructure for a central bank digital currency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        October 2021<\/strong> : Announcement of partnership with MoneyGram<\/strong> to facilitate conversion between stablecoins and fiat currency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        June 2022<\/strong> : Launch of Stellar Turrets<\/strong> enabling smart contract execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        April 2023 <\/strong>: Deployment of the Soroban<\/strong> protocol, Stellar’s smart contract platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        November 2024 : <\/strong> Latest price peak, around $0.63.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How and Where to Buy XLM ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Acquiring XLM<\/strong> tokens is a necessary step for those who wish to invest in the project, participate in its governance, or use the applications in its ecosystem. Due to its growing market capitalization and popularity, the XLM token is available on most centralized exchange platforms (CEX)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        These platforms allow you to buy Stellar directly with euros or dollars via different payment methods<\/strong> (bank card, wire transfer). Here is our ranking<\/strong> of the best platforms in 2026 :<\/p>\n\n\n

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        \n
        \n\n \n
        \n 1<\/span>\n
        \n
        \n \"zoomex\"\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \"zoomex\"\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Over 500 cryptocurrencies<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Low trading fees: 0.02% to 0.06%<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Futures trading with leverage<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Up to $14,000 in bonuses<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Optional KYC : required for more options<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Learn More<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n
        \n\n \n
        \n 2<\/span>\n
        \n
        \n \"OKX\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \"OKX\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n 300+ cryptocurrencies available<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Competitive trading fees (spot 0.08%)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Complete platform (spot, bots, earn, wallet, etc.)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"cross\"\n <\/figure>\n Some restrictions apply depending on the country<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Learn More<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n
        \n\n \n
        \n 3<\/span>\n
        \n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n 300+ cryptocurrencies<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Low trading fees: 0.02% to 0.1%<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Learn more<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n
        \n\n \n
        \n 4<\/span>\n
        \n
        \n \"bybit\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \"bybit\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n 600+ cryptocurrencies available<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Competitive fees and advanced trading tools<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Futures trading<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Learn more<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n
        \n\n \n
        \n 5<\/span>\n
        \n
        \n \"pionex\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \"pionex\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Over 350 trading pairs available<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Futures with leverage up to 125\u00d7<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n No KYC required<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n \"plus\"\n <\/figure>\n Built-in automated Grid Trading for free<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n
        \n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n
        \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Learn more<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
        \n Sign Up<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

        It’s important to distinguish between specialized platforms<\/strong> (like those mentioned above) where you actually buy and own cryptocurrencies, and brokers<\/strong> that sometimes offer derivative products (notably CFDs) on cryptocurrencies. For direct ownership and complete control of your assets, we recommend a specialized exchange platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How to Buy Stellar (XLM) on Bitget ? Mini Tutorial<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Here’s how to buy Stellar in 5 steps on the best platform in our ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n

        \n
        \"logo<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Create an account on Bitget<\/strong> :<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n