In a pivotal move for the crypto and financial sectors, Nadine Chakar, Head of Digital Assets at DTCC, recently addressed the Stellar Meridian conference. This partnership signals a major shift towards integrating blockchain technology in securities settlement, with potentially transformative effects on XLM, Stellar's cryptocurrency.
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) manages securities settlement, processing quadrillions yearly. With Stellar embedded in its digital asset strategy, if DTCC channels even half of its settlement traffic through the Stellar network, annualized volumes could reach tens of trillions. This positions Stellar as a crucial player in global finance rather than just another blockchain venture.
"With DTCC anchoring its digital future to Stellar, no serious institution can afford to ignore the network."
Recent commentary on various forums showcases a growing optimism among people in the crypto community. Key perspectives include:
Volume Growth: DTCC's annual volume for 2024 approaches $1 quadrillion, meaning even a small percentage could significantly elevate the value of XLM.
Institutional Interest: Notable institutions are ramping up their engagement, hinting at potential widespread adoption of Stellar.
Price Predictions: Some people speculate XLM could rapidly rise to $50 or higher within two years if such adoption continues.
One forum user succinctly stated, "XLM is going to double digits, IDGAF what anyone says."
Recent developments indicate robust growth within the Stellar network:
Wallet Adoption: In Q1 2025, an impressive 942,000 new wallets were added, solidifying Stellar's spot among the leading non-EVM chains by Total Value Locked (TVL).
Market Expansion: By Q2 2025, there was an 80% surge in TVL, reaching $150 million and facilitating an upgrade to Protocol 13 that enhances usability.
Experts foresee a major validation phase for Stellar. Institutions are poised to launch custody platforms, and real-world asset integration is on the horizon. The implications for XLM's valuation remain promising, with speculation suggesting that XLM could soar as much as 60% in the next 18 months.
Highlights:
โฆ DTCCโs vast annual volume could tremendously amplify XLM's worth.
โฆ Institutional involvement points toward potential widespread adoption of Stellar.
โฆ "This sets the stage for Stellar to become an institutional standard infrastructure."
Interestingly, some insights reveal that DTCC is operating a separate, permissioned blockchain built on a private Ethereum client, diverging from public chains. This approach gives DTCC the control and compliance needed for core settlement operations.
However, as one commenter mentioned, this closed system highlights the need for interoperability. DTCCโs private chain will likely require a neutral bridge asset for broader financial interaction, which positions both XRP and XLM favorably as settlement solutions. Their low transaction fees and speedy confirmations make them strong contenders for connecting permissioned platforms to global liquidity.
Evidence suggests Stellar is more than an asset; it could redefine transaction management within finance. The partnership with DTCC may well be an inflection point, taking XLM from under-the-radar to an essential asset in institutional finance. With such strategic shifts, could XLM go well beyond current valuations? Only time will tell.