Stellar XLM crypto is scaling cross-border payments and tokenized assets with growing institutional adoption. In July 2025, Stellar hit a major milestone by integrating PayPal’s stablecoin, PYUSD. This move not only catalyzed price growth but also reinforced Stellar’s reputation as a cost-effective and enterprise-ready blockchain. The network has also become a major hub for real-world asset tokenization and regulatory-compliant DeFi applications.
Summary: Stellar’s 2025 progress includes PayPal integration, over $500 million in tokenized U.S. Treasuries, record-breaking price momentum, and advanced smart contract upgrades.
How Did PayPal’s Integration Impact Stellar’s Growth?
The July 2025 integration of PYUSD with the Stellar blockchain triggered a surge in network activity and XLM’s market value. The partnership with PayPal positioned Stellar as a preferred blockchain for institutional finance. According to PayPal’s blockchain division, Stellar’s architecture delivers sub-second settlement times and ultra-low fees, making it ideal for international transactions and enterprise applications.
Stellar’s Total Value Locked (TVL) soared to $140.7 million—its highest recorded—while daily transaction volume surpassed 2.1 million. This growth in adoption reflects real-world utility rather than speculative trading, giving the network long-term staying power in decentralized finance.
Why Are Institutions Choosing Stellar for Tokenized Assets?
Stellar’s RWA tokenization market is rapidly expanding. With over $500 million in tokenized U.S. Treasuries launched by Franklin Templeton and Circle, Stellar has become a compliant and scalable platform for digitized financial assets. Its infrastructure supports on-chain regulatory alignment, meeting the demands of conservative institutional capital.
These deployments reflect Stellar’s original mission: to bridge traditional finance and blockchain technology. As of mid-2025, the platform handles $450 million in tokenized RWAs with over $17 billion in annual on-chain volume. This positions Stellar alongside Ethereum as a credible backbone for tokenized asset markets.
What Is Driving Stellar XLM’s Price Momentum?
Between July 14 and July 17, XLM jumped from $0.36 to $0.47. This 30% increase broke through key resistance levels, forming a bullish technical pattern. Traders noted record-high Futures Open Interest of $520 million, showing elevated market confidence.
Technical indicators point to sustained momentum. The Average Directional Index (ADX) rose to 28.39, confirming an ongoing uptrend. Analysts are eyeing $0.50 and $0.56 as near-term targets. If market conditions remain favorable, longer-term projections suggest a rally toward $2–$5.
How Is Stellar’s Leadership Accelerating Global Adoption?
In a strategic move, the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) brought in José Fernández da Ponte, former PayPal blockchain lead, as President and Chief Growth Officer. His mandate includes expanding Stellar’s global footprint in payments, asset tokenization, and developer onboarding.
Additionally, Stellar is rolling out its first on-chain governance vote on August 14, 2025. This transition to a more decentralized governance model marks a key milestone in community-led protocol evolution.
What Role Does Stellar Play in Financial Inclusion?
Stellar’s design makes it well-suited for high-impact cross-border payment use cases, especially in underserved regions. Its on-chain exchange engine enables fiat-to-XLM and back conversions in seconds. Through partnerships with MoneyGram and Circle, users in countries like Kenya and the Philippines can convert crypto to cash seamlessly.
This capability empowers users without reliable banking access to participate in digital finance. Stellar’s ability to handle multi-currency settlements, with minimal fees, is a core driver of adoption in emerging markets.
What Upgrades Are Coming to the Stellar Network?
Stellar’s 2025 roadmap centers on Soroban, its smart contract platform. Upcoming upgrades aim to support 5,000 transactions per second (TPS) and 2.5-second ledger finality. These enhancements make Stellar ready for high-volume DeFi applications and enterprise-level services.
The network’s built-in decentralized exchange (DEX), complete with native order book functionality, offers strong liquidity and trading efficiency. These full-stack features position Stellar as a one-stop ecosystem for decentralized finance.
How Does Stellar’s Tokenomics Support Long-Term Growth?
As of July 2025, XLM ranks 12th in market capitalization with a $14.1 billion valuation. There are 31 billion XLM in circulation out of a 50 billion max supply. The 2019 token burn, which removed over half the original supply, created a deflationary structure that appeals to long-term holders.
Daily trading volumes exceed $1.35 billion, indicating robust liquidity. Stellar’s capped supply and established token economy make it a sustainable asset for both institutional and retail investors.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal’s PYUSD integration boosted Stellar’s transaction volume and TVL.
- Over $500 million in tokenized U.S. Treasuries deployed on Stellar.
- Leadership from PayPal and Block drives institutional adoption.
- Soroban upgrades aim for 5,000 TPS and 2.5-second ledger times.
- XLM trading volume exceeds $1.35 billion daily.
FAQs About Stellar XLM Crypto
What is Stellar XLM used for?
Stellar XLM is used for fast, low-cost cross-border payments, tokenized assets, and decentralized financial applications.
Is Stellar XLM a good investment in 2025?
With institutional integrations and strong fundamentals, many analysts consider XLM a promising asset for long-term portfolios.
How is Stellar different from other blockchains?
Stellar focuses on financial use cases, offering native support for tokenized assets, fiat on/off ramps, and decentralized exchange tools.
What is Soroban on Stellar?
Soroban is Stellar’s smart contract platform designed for scalability, developer accessibility, and integration with on-chain financial tools.
Can Stellar support CBDCs and stablecoins?
Yes, Stellar’s infrastructure supports regulated stablecoins and CBDCs with built-in compliance and fiat conversion mechanisms.
Shogun Lin
