Rise In shares reflections from Meridian 2026, highlighting that Stellar is the only major blockchain to grow full-time developers in 2026 (6% growth vs. 20-56% declines on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana). Monthly active developers are up 253% since January. The team credits Stellar's growth to SDF's genuine recognition of grassroots ambassador efforts and the conference's professional, inclusive atmosphere that emphasizes trust as a design principle. Rise In plans to expand their education initiatives from Vietnam, Philippines, and Turkey to Europe.
Rise In, a developer education and community builder operating in Vietnam, Philippines, and Turkey, attended Meridian 2026 for the first time as an organization. The conference reinforced their confidence in Stellar's trajectory. Stellar is the only major blockchain to grow full-time developers in 2026, registering 6% growth while Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana all contracted 20-56%. Monthly active developers on Stellar are up 253% since January 2026, contrasting sharply with the 13% decline across most crypto development. The experience showed how SDF's approach—recognizing grassroots efforts, maintaining professional culture, and emphasizing trust—creates conditions where developers flourish. Leadership from CEO Denelle Dixon to President José da Ponte to VP of Ecosystem Justin Rice explicitly thanked Rise In and similar teams in their talks. This recognition sparked concrete action: European builders approached Rise In about bringing Stellar education to their regions. Rise In is now planning workshops at Technical University of Munich and beyond, motivated by the genuine welcome at Meridian and the opportunity to grow developers where other ecosystems are shrinking.
