What is Stellar (XLM)

Stellar (XLM) Basic Introduction

Stellar (XLM) Profile

What is Stellar (XLM) Trading

Stellar (XLM) trading refers to buying and selling the token in the cryptocurrency market. On MEXC, users can trade XLM through different markets depending on your investment goals and risk preferences. The two most common methods are spot trading and futures trading.

Stellar (XLM) Spot Trading

Crypto spot trading is directly buying or selling XLM at the current market price. Once the trade is completed, you own the actual XLM tokens, which can be held, transferred, or sold later. Spot trading is the most straightforward way to get exposure to XLM without leverage.

How to Acquire Stellar (XLM)

You can easily obtain Stellar (XLM) on MEXC using a variety of payment methods such as credit card, debit card, bank transfer, Paypal, and many more! Learn how to buy tokens at MEXC now!

Deeper Insights into Stellar (XLM)

Stellar (XLM) History and Background

Stellar (XLM): History and Background

Stellar was founded in 2014 by Jed McCaleb, who previously co-founded Ripple and created the Mt. Gox exchange. The Stellar Development Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established to oversee the development and promotion of the Stellar network. McCaleb's vision was to create a decentralized payment protocol that could facilitate cross-border transactions more efficiently than traditional banking systems.

The native cryptocurrency of the Stellar network is called Lumens, with the ticker symbol XLM. Initially, Stellar was based on the Ripple protocol, but in 2015, the team developed their own consensus algorithm called the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP). This move marked Stellar's independence from Ripple and established its unique identity in the cryptocurrency space.

Key Features and Purpose

Stellar was designed to bridge the gap between traditional financial institutions and blockchain technology. The platform enables fast, low-cost international money transfers and aims to provide financial services to the unbanked population worldwide. The network can process transactions in just 3-5 seconds with minimal fees, making it attractive for remittances and micropayments.

One of Stellar's distinguishing features is its ability to facilitate multi-currency transactions. Users can send one currency and have the recipient receive a different currency, with the network automatically handling the conversion through its built-in decentralized exchange.

Partnerships and Adoption

Stellar has formed significant partnerships with major financial institutions and technology companies. Notable collaborations include IBM's World Wire payment system, which utilizes Stellar's blockchain for cross-border payments. The platform has also partnered with various money transfer operators and banks across different continents to enhance global financial inclusion.

In 2019, Stellar gained significant attention when Facebook announced its Libra project, as several companies initially involved with Libra later showed interest in Stellar's more established and regulatory-compliant approach to digital payments.

Today, Stellar continues to focus on its mission of creating an inclusive global financial system, with XLM serving as a bridge currency and anti-spam mechanism within the network.

Who Created Stellar (XLM)?

Stellar (XLM) was created by Jed McCaleb and Joyce Kim in 2014. The cryptocurrency and its underlying blockchain platform emerged from McCaleb's vision to create a more inclusive and accessible financial system for people worldwide.

Jed McCaleb is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency space, having previously co-founded Ripple (XRP) and created the now-defunct Mt. Gox exchange. His experience with digital currencies and blockchain technology provided the foundation for developing Stellar. McCaleb left Ripple in 2013 due to disagreements about the platform's direction and subsequently began working on Stellar as an alternative solution.

Joyce Kim, a lawyer and entrepreneur, co-founded Stellar alongside McCaleb. She brought legal expertise and business acumen to the project, helping to establish the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), a non-profit organization that oversees the development and promotion of the Stellar network.

The Stellar Development Foundation was officially launched in July 2014, with the primary goal of promoting financial inclusion and connecting financial institutions, payment systems, and individuals through blockchain technology. The foundation operates as a non-profit entity, distinguishing Stellar from many other cryptocurrency projects that are primarily profit-driven.

Initially, Stellar was based on the Ripple protocol, but the team later developed their own consensus mechanism called the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP). This protocol enables faster and more energy-efficient transactions compared to traditional proof-of-work systems used by Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

The native cryptocurrency of the Stellar network, originally called Stellars, was later renamed to Lumens (XLM). These tokens serve as a bridge currency for cross-border transactions and help prevent spam on the network by requiring small transaction fees.

Stellar's mission focuses on financial inclusion, particularly for underbanked populations in developing countries. The platform enables users to send money across borders quickly and at low cost, making it an attractive option for remittances and micropayments.

How Does Stellar (XLM) Work?

Stellar (XLM) Operating Mechanism

Stellar is a decentralized blockchain network designed to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border payments and currency exchanges. The network operates through its native cryptocurrency XLM, also known as Lumens, which serves multiple functions within the ecosystem.

Consensus Protocol

Stellar uses the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), a unique federated Byzantine agreement system. Unlike traditional proof-of-work or proof-of-stake mechanisms, SCP allows the network to reach consensus without requiring all nodes to agree on a single set of validators. Instead, each node chooses its own trusted validators, creating overlapping trust networks that ensure security and decentralization.

Network Architecture

The Stellar network consists of servers running the Stellar Core software. These servers maintain a distributed ledger that records all transactions and account balances. The network can process thousands of transactions per second with confirmation times of 3-5 seconds, making it highly efficient for payment processing.

XLM Token Functions

Lumens serve as a bridge currency for cross-border transactions, especially when direct trading pairs don't exist between two currencies. They also prevent spam by requiring small transaction fees and minimum account balances. Additionally, XLM facilitates multi-currency transactions and acts as an anti-spam mechanism.

Anchors and Assets

Stellar supports various assets through anchor institutions, which are trusted entities that hold deposits and issue credits on the Stellar network. Users can trade different currencies, commodities, or even custom tokens, with anchors ensuring the backing of these digital representations with real-world assets.

Stellar (XLM) Key Features

Stellar (XLM) Core Features

Stellar is a decentralized blockchain platform designed to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border payments and financial services. The network operates using its native cryptocurrency XLM, also known as Lumens, which serves multiple essential functions within the ecosystem.

Consensus Mechanism

Stellar utilizes the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), a unique federated Byzantine agreement system that enables fast transaction processing without requiring energy-intensive mining. This consensus mechanism allows the network to process thousands of transactions per second while maintaining decentralization and security.

Low Transaction Costs

One of Stellar's most attractive features is its minimal transaction fees, typically costing just 0.00001 XLM per transaction. This makes it highly suitable for micropayments and remittances, particularly in developing markets where traditional banking fees can be prohibitively expensive.

Multi-Currency Support

The Stellar network supports multiple currencies and assets through its built-in decentralized exchange. Users can hold, send, and trade various currencies including fiat money, cryptocurrencies, and custom tokens, all within the same platform.

Anchor System

Stellar employs trusted entities called anchors that act as bridges between different currencies and the Stellar network. Anchors hold deposits and issue credits on the network, enabling seamless conversion between digital and traditional assets.

Financial Inclusion Focus

The platform specifically targets unbanked and underbanked populations, providing accessible financial services to individuals who lack access to traditional banking infrastructure. This mission-driven approach distinguishes Stellar from many other blockchain projects.

Smart Contract Capabilities

Stellar offers smart contract functionality through its built-in operations, enabling automated transactions, escrow services, and complex financial instruments without requiring separate programming languages or virtual machines.

Stellar (XLM) Distribution and Allocation

Stellar (XLM) Distribution and Allocation Overview

Stellar Lumens (XLM) was designed with a unique distribution model that differs significantly from traditional cryptocurrency mining systems. The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) created 100 billion XLM tokens at the network's genesis, establishing a fixed supply with no mining mechanism.

Initial Distribution Strategy

The original allocation plan divided the 100 billion XLM tokens across several categories. Approximately 50% was designated for individual distribution through various programs, including partnerships with existing financial institutions and direct giveaways to users. Another 25% was allocated to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to promote financial inclusion globally.

The remaining 25% was reserved for operational expenses of the Stellar Development Foundation, including development costs, infrastructure maintenance, and ecosystem growth initiatives. This allocation ensures long-term sustainability of the network while promoting widespread adoption.

Distribution Methods

Stellar employed multiple distribution channels to achieve broad token circulation. The foundation partnered with various organizations, including Keybase, to distribute XLM to verified users. They also conducted airdrops to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency holders, requiring identity verification to prevent abuse.

Educational programs played a crucial role, with platforms like Coinbase Earn offering XLM rewards for completing cryptocurrency learning modules. This approach combined education with distribution, helping users understand Stellar's technology while receiving tokens.

Current Status and Burn Events

In November 2019, the Stellar Development Foundation made a significant decision to burn approximately 55 billion XLM tokens, reducing the total supply from 100 billion to roughly 50 billion. This burn eliminated undistributed tokens from various programs that were deemed ineffective or unnecessary.

Following the burn, the foundation restructured its holdings and distribution strategy, focusing on more targeted initiatives for ecosystem development, user acquisition, and infrastructure support. The reduced supply created a more manageable token economy while maintaining the network's core mission of financial accessibility and cross-border payments.

Stellar (XLM) Utility and Use Cases

Stellar (XLM) Use Cases and Applications

Stellar is a decentralized blockchain platform designed to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border payments and financial services. The native cryptocurrency XLM serves multiple purposes within this ecosystem, making it a versatile digital asset with real-world applications.

Cross-Border Payments and Remittances

The primary use case for Stellar is enabling efficient international money transfers. Traditional remittance services often charge high fees and take several days to process transactions. Stellar allows users to send money across borders in seconds with minimal fees, typically costing fractions of a cent. This makes it particularly valuable for migrant workers sending money to their families in developing countries.

Banking the Unbanked

Stellar aims to provide financial services to underserved populations worldwide. Through partnerships with local organizations and mobile payment providers, Stellar enables people without traditional bank accounts to access digital financial services using just a smartphone. This includes savings, lending, and payment services that were previously unavailable to billions of people.

Asset Tokenization and Stablecoins

The Stellar network supports the creation of custom tokens representing various assets, including fiat currencies, commodities, and securities. Many organizations have issued stablecoins on Stellar, such as USDC and other regional currency tokens. These digital representations of traditional assets can be traded and transferred instantly on the network.

Decentralized Exchange Functionality

Stellar features a built-in decentralized exchange that allows users to trade various assets directly on the network. XLM often serves as a bridge currency for trading pairs that lack direct liquidity, enabling seamless conversions between different tokens and currencies.

Corporate Treasury Management

Businesses use Stellar for treasury operations, including multi-currency settlements, supply chain payments, and international vendor payments. The network's speed and low costs make it attractive for companies looking to optimize their financial operations and reduce transaction expenses.

Stellar (XLM) Tokenomics

Tokenomics describes the economic model of Stellar (XLM), including its supply, distribution, and utility within the ecosystem. Factors such as total supply, circulating supply, and token allocation to the team, investors, or community play a major role in shaping its market behavior.

Pro Tip: Understanding XLM's tokenomics, price trends, and market sentiment can help you better assess its potential future price movements.

Stellar (XLM) Price History

Price history provides valuable context for XLM, showing how the token has reacted to different market conditions since its launch. By studying historical highs, lows, and overall trends, traders can spot patterns or gain perspective on the token's volatility. Explore the XLM historical price movement now!

Stellar (XLM) Price Prediction

Building on tokenomics and past performance, price predictions for XLM aim to estimate where the token might be headed. Analysts and traders often look at supply dynamics, adoption trends, market sentiment, and broader crypto movements to form expectations. Did you know, MEXC has a price prediction tool that can assist you in measuring the future price of XLM? Check it out now!