Stellar has been running its own Lightning Torch since June 2019, a community experiment that passes XLM around the world to demonstrate the blockchain's base-layer transaction efficiency. The torch, initiated by Wouter Arkink, has covered nearly 500,000 kilometers with zero transaction fees and introduced challenges like claiming countries and recruiting famous participants.
Since June 26, 2019, the Stellar community has been operating a Lightning Torch inspired by Bitcoin's 2019 experiment, passing around 1150 XLM (about $67) to demonstrate easy money movement on Stellar's base layer. Initiated by Wouter Arkink as a community-building project, the torch uses Keybase for secure transfers and tracks 77 torchbearers across nearly 500,000 kilometers with virtually no transaction fees. The experiment has evolved beyond simple passing to include challenges like claiming countries and creating commemorative videos, with an aspirational goal of getting the torch to famous people like Kevin Bacon. Lisa Nestor from the Stellar Development Foundation praised the initiative for bringing community members together, highlighting how Stellar's approach differs from Bitcoin's marketing-heavy culture.