About Stellar (XLM)

What is Stellar (XLM) and why does it matter?

Stellar launched in 2014 with a simple idea: make moving money as easy as sending an email. It’s an open blockchain built for speed and low fees, run by the non-profit Stellar Development Foundation. Using its own consensus protocol, transactions confirm in seconds and cost fractions of a cent. The network quietly powers global payments, stablecoins, and fintech integrations — a rare mix of utility and restraint in crypto.

How did Stellar’s token system change over time?

Early on, Stellar had 105 billion XLM. In 2019, the foundation burned 55 billion, locking total supply at 50 billion and ending inflation. No new tokens are created; fees get burned, slightly shrinking supply. About 31.7 billion circulate while the rest fund network growth. The burn turned XLM from an experiment into a capped, more disciplined asset.

Who manages the undistributed XLM?

Roughly 42 percent of supply sits with the Stellar Development Foundation. There’s no timed vesting or on-chain schedule — tokens are released when SDF funds projects, grants, or partnerships. It’s a flexible model that supports rapid action but can add uncertainty when large tranches move. Stellar trades algorithmic predictability for hands-on stewardship.

How was Stellar originally funded?

Two rounds set the base. Stripe led the seed in 2014, investing $3 million at $0.0015 per XLM for 2 percent of supply. A public sale in March 2015 added $2.02 million at $0.0031. The ROI since then — roughly 254× for seed and 123× for public buyers — shows how early infrastructure bets can age well when the mission stays consistent.

How were the first XLM tokens distributed?

The launch allocation told you what Stellar cared about. Half went to new users via a direct sign-up program, a quarter to business partners, one-fifth to Bitcoin holders, 3 percent to the foundation, and 2 percent to Stripe. It wasn’t a speculative airdrop; it was outreach — giving real people in emerging markets their first crypto experience.

What gives XLM practical value today?

It’s mostly about movement. XLM bridges currencies so users can swap or send funds globally in seconds. Banks and fintechs use it for stablecoin settlement, while the new smart-contract layer, Soroban, opens lending and DeFi use cases. Low fees and quick finality make Stellar a quiet workhorse rather than a hype token.

Where is XLM actively traded?

You’ll find it on nearly every major exchange — Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, MEXC, and many more — across 200-plus pairs. Most volume comes from USDT pairs, but fiat options like USD or EUR are still strong. Stellar’s own DEX, StellarTerm, handles native swaps without intermediaries, keeping true to its open-ledger roots.

What’s next for Stellar’s ecosystem?

The 2025 focus is clear: faster throughput, better developer tools, and expanding Soroban adoption. SDF targets 5,000 TPS and $3 billion in tokenized real-world assets. The goal isn’t flash — it’s scale. If Stellar succeeds, it’ll be the network quietly stitching crypto rails into the world’s financial plumbing.