Stellar (XLM)

Stellar is a decentralized, open-source platform that aims to improve the speed and efficiency of financial transactions. The native cryptocurrency of the Stellar network is called Lumen, or XLM for short. Stellar was founded in 2014 by Jed McCaleb, the co-founder of Ripple, and is overseen by a nonprofit organization called the Stellar Development Foundation.

The Stellar network allows users to create, issue, and trade assets, such as stablecoins, on the blockchain. These assets can represent any value, including currencies, commodities, or frequent flyer miles. The Stellar network aims to provide a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional financial infrastructures, such as banks and payment processors.

One of the critical features of the Stellar network is its consensus mechanism, called the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP). This allows the network to reach a consensus on the ledger's state without a central authority. In addition, the Stellar network also has a built-in decentralized exchange, which allows users to trade assets directly with each other without the need for a central exchange.

In addition to its focus on financial transactions, Stellar is committed to promoting financial inclusion and improving access to financial services for underserved communities. To this end, the Stellar Development Foundation has partnered with several organizations to offer microfinance loans and other financial services to individuals and small businesses in developing countries.

Overall, Stellar aims to provide a fast, efficient, and secure platform for transferring value globally while also working to improve financial accessibility and inclusion around the world.