- Stellar (XLM) surged 75% this week, topping all major altcoins and outperforming XRP’s 39% gain.
- Its rally is backed by cross-border upgrades, growing DeFi/NFT demand, and rising investor confidence amid U.S. crypto legislation.
- With a $15.6B market cap, XLM is eyeing a return to the top 10, potentially overtaking Tron and Cardano.
Stellar’s having a breakout moment. Over the past week, XLM shot up a wild 75%, making it the top gainer among major altcoins—and yeah, it just blew right past XRP’s 39% climb. As the broader altcoin market rides a fresh wave of DeFi hype and NFT buzz, Stellar’s been moving like it’s got something to prove.
With a market cap brushing $15.6 billion, XLM’s suddenly looking like it wants back in the top 10. That’d mean jumping over names like Tron and Cardano, which isn’t exactly easy… but hey, momentum’s on its side. XRP, even with a big pump to $3.65, just couldn’t keep up with this week’s pace.
Why’s XLM Popping Off So Hard?
Couple reasons. First off, there’s a full-blown altcoin rotation happening—money’s pouring outta Bitcoin and into projects with actual utility. Stellar’s been sharpening its ecosystem lately, doubling down on cross-border payments and low-cost transactions. That stuff matters when the rest of the market’s still chasing pump coins.
Oh, and don’t forget the U.S. crypto legislation backdrop. With bills like the GENIUS Act passing and more regulation coming (finally), investors are starting to feel a little safer putting real capital into serious projects. Stellar fits that bill. It’s got history, a use case, and now—momentum.
The XRP Comparison Keeps Coming Up…
Let’s not ignore the Ripple angle here. XLM was co-founded by Jed McCaleb, who also helped create XRP. So naturally, the two get compared a lot—even when they’re on totally different paths. Ripple CTO David Schwartz admitted he’s not totally sure what’s pushing XLM right now, but that hasn’t stopped investors from connecting the dots.
Right now, XRP is holding steady after its $3+ breakout, but Stellar’s aggressive surge to nearly $0.52 has traders shifting focus. It’s not just outperforming XRP—it’s leaving most of the top 100 coins in the rearview. Others like BONK (+52%), PENGU (+45%), and ALGO (+40%) had good weeks, sure—but none came close to XLM.
DeFi, NFTs, and What’s Next
Stellar’s been quietly building out its DeFi and NFT presence, acting as a kind of bridge between chains. That’s starting to pay off. As platforms look for fast, cheap rails for cross-network swaps and NFT transfers, XLM’s positioning looks… kinda perfect. Add in high developer activity and the tailwind of favorable legislation, and you’ve got a mix that could fuel more gains.
Will it hold? Who knows. But with strong fundamentals, rising TVL, and growing interest from investors and analysts alike, it’s not just another altcoin on a lucky run. XLM’s making a real case for long-term relevance.
Takeaway
Stellar just reminded the market it’s still in the game—big time. While XRP and others got their spotlight, XLM came out swinging this week. Whether it keeps climbing or cools off a bit, this rally wasn’t random. Strong tech, real-world use, and a shifting regulatory backdrop could keep fueling the fire. Keep your eye on it—this one’s not done yet.
