Creating a unified network for all forms of money might sound ambitious, but that’s exactly what Stellar has done. Stellar is an open-source cryptocurrency network created in 2014 by Jed McCaleb, co-founder of Ripple. It uses its native token, lumen (XLM), to connect various financial systems, facilitating fast and secure transactions. Unlike many cryptocurrencies, XLM cannot be mined; it must be bought.

Stellar enables rapid transactions between different currencies without involving banks. Its consensus protocol designates specific nodes for transaction verification, allowing for about 4,000 transactions per second. Stellar’s blockchain aims to enhance, not replace, the existing financial system. It allows issuing tokens in any currency, including cryptocurrencies, and automatically converts one currency to another during transactions. By working with real-world financial partners, it facilitates currency conversion outside the blockchain.

XLM is primarily used within the Stellar network for transactions, with a small fee per transaction to prevent misuse. This blockchain supports cheap, secure, high-speed international payments, with over 5 million addresses. Stellar's partners include MoneyGram and IBM World Wire.