Stellar Ecosystem
News

Blend is a DeFi protocol primitive on Stellar that enables permissionless creation of isolated lending pools with customizable parameters, backstop modules for risk mitigation, and BLND token governance. The article explains Blend's core components and highlights its integration with Meru wallet to provide financial inclusion for Latin American freelancers and SMEs.

Stellar is a blockchain network focused on financial inclusion for unbanked populations through low-cost services like remittances and cross-border payments. It offers scalability via the Stellar Consensus Protocol, interoperability across systems, and support from the Stellar Development Foundation. Lumens (XLM) powers transactions and acts as a bridge currency, positioning Stellar as a leader in accessible DeFi.

MoneyGram launched MoneyGram Ramps, a developer-centric API enabling fast, compliant cash-to-crypto and crypto-to-cash integration powered by Stellar blockchain and Circle's USDC. The solution reduces deployment time from months to minutes and provides access to MoneyGram's global network across 30+ countries for deposits and 170+ for withdrawals.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Stellar blockchain ecosystem, highlighting its key statistics, use cases like cross-border payments, microtransactions, CBDCs, and aid distribution, and unique features such as the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP). It emphasizes Stellar's focus on low-cost, fast transactions for financial inclusion and DeFi innovation. The ecosystem boasts $62.24M TVL, 200 TPS, and partnerships with entities like MoneyGram and IBM.

CompoSecure's Arculus Cold Storage Wallet has integrated with MoneyGram Access, enabling users to convert physical cash into USDC on Stellar and withdraw it at 440,000+ MoneyGram locations globally. Arculus also received a Stellar Development Foundation grant to develop Soroban smart contracts for DeFi Pay, allowing stablecoin holders to spend directly from self-custody wallets via traditional payment card rails.

An educational introduction to Stellar's DeFi ecosystem, covering its core strengths in interoperability, scalability, and low-cost transactions. The article explains key technologies like Soroban smart contracts and asset tokenization, while highlighting use cases in cross-border payments, remittances, and financial inclusion.

Tala launched a crypto wallet pilot on Stellar's blockchain to deliver stablecoins for financial inclusion in emerging markets, particularly Latin America. The wallet emphasizes self-custody, low transaction costs, and interoperability, enabling affordable credit, remittances, and digital payments for the unbanked. Stablecoins provide stability, speed, and accessibility over traditional banking.

An article advocating for Stellar's adoption by the U.S. government for efficient aid disbursement and public sector payments, highlighting the Stellar Disbursement Platform's proven track record with UNHCR and other organizations.

Stellar's Disbursement Platform and Decaf Wallet offer NGOs and humanitarian organizations a faster, cheaper, and more transparent alternative to traditional cross-border payment methods like cash delivery and prepaid cards.

Coala Pay, an SCF-funded project by anthropologist Melyn McKay, is a public aid funding marketplace and weather oracle built on Stellar to accelerate humanitarian aid delivery in regions like Somalia. The platform enables organizations to manage programs and payments through private marketplaces while a weather oracle allows preemptive crisis response funding in under 24 hours.

The Stellar Development Foundation highlights how tokenization and blockchain technology are already improving financial access for vulnerable populations, from UN refugee aid payments to protection against hyperinflation in countries like Argentina.

The Stellar Development Foundation announced the winners of a global challenge that received over 250 submissions from 20+ countries. The top three visionary ideas include The Crypto Oracle's education funding platform, José Toscano's biometric crypto wallet, and 8 other finalists spanning payments, real estate tokenization, carbon credits, and more.

The Stellar Development Foundation released its Q4 2024 report highlighting a transformative year with 18 billion network operations, $32 billion in payment volume, and significant ecosystem growth including 640% Soroban TVL expansion and Protocol 22 upgrade.

The BuildOnStellar event in Chile was a resounding success, showcasing innovative proposals for a more inclusive financial future on the Stellar blockchain. Highlights include projects in blockchain education, local community solutions, and presentations from Hoops Finance on key features like user authentication and AI integration. The community is invited to stay connected for future events and opportunities.

The Glo Foundation has selected Coala Pay as the first recipient of its 'Strengthen Humanitarian Aid' funding, backed by a $250,000 donation from the Stellar Development Foundation. Glo Dollars on the Stellar blockchain now automatically support Coala Pay's platform for efficient international aid delivery. Users can fund humanitarian efforts seamlessly without additional donations.

The UN Development Programme and Stellar Development Foundation announced a strategic partnership to deploy blockchain solutions for financial inclusion and sustainable development, focusing on cross-border payments, remittances, and digital financial access in emerging economies.

Empowch discusses blockchain's role in rebuilding financial systems in crisis-affected regions like Syria and Ukraine, highlighting how Stellar-based solutions enable direct aid distribution and financial inclusion through self-custody wallets and stablecoins.

Anke Liu and Anna Whitson-Diaz from the Stellar Development Foundation discuss how blockchain technology bridges gaps in financial inclusion and empowers communities globally.

Stellar Aid Assist, a blockchain-based humanitarian aid disbursement solution built on Stellar, has successfully deployed with UNHCR to distribute $4.6 million in direct cash assistance to 2,500 households in Ukraine, with expansion planned to Argentina.

A blog post exploring how programmable payments and blockchain technology could improve charitable aid distribution by reducing inefficiencies and human fallibility in philanthropy. The author argues that using Stellar's infrastructure for conditional, automated payments could enable more direct and traceable delivery of disaster relief and social programs.

Shaheen, a UAE-based fintech app built on blockchain, launches to serve unbanked populations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia with cross-border payments, multi-currency wallets, and financial inclusion tools. Parent organization Empowch expands globally with API solutions for NGOs and financial institutions.

Empowch positions its blockchain-based digital wallet as a solution for NGOs delivering aid to Syrian and Lebanese refugees in the MENA region. The self-custody platform enables instant cross-border payments and cash conversion, reducing reliance on costly intermediaries and traditional banking infrastructure.

Tala launched a non-custodial crypto wallet powered by Stellar, enabling financially underserved communities in Peru and beyond to securely manage digital assets with low fees and fast transactions.