Who is xlm partnered with

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: Stellar (XLM) has partnered with companies like IBM, MoneyGram, and Flutterwave to enhance cross-border payments. In 2019, IBM launched the World Wire network using Stellar's blockchain for instant settlement in multiple currencies.

Key Facts

IBM partnered with Stellar in 2018 to launch World Wire, a blockchain-based payment system.
MoneyGram integrated Stellar blockchain for cross-border transactions starting in 2020.
Flutterwave, a Nigerian fintech, uses Stellar to process African remittances.
Stellar received a $5-million grant from the Stellar Development Foundation in 2021 to support growth.
The network handles transactions in under 5 seconds with fees averaging $0.001.

Overview

Stellar (XLM) is a decentralized blockchain network designed to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border transactions. Since its launch in 2014 by Jed McCaleb and Joyce Kim, it has focused on financial inclusion and interoperability between global financial systems.

Through strategic partnerships, Stellar has expanded its reach into international payments, remittances, and digital asset issuance. These collaborations leverage Stellar’s high throughput and minimal transaction costs to disrupt traditional banking infrastructure.

IBM: In 2018, IBM partnered with Stellar to develop World Wire, a payment network enabling instant settlement in over 50 currencies using XLM as a bridge asset.
MoneyGram: In 2020, the U.S.-based remittance company began using Stellar’s blockchain to settle transactions between the U.S. and the Philippines, reducing settlement time from days to seconds.
Flutterwave: The African fintech giant uses Stellar to process cross-border remittances across 33 countries, handling over $1 billion in transaction volume by 2022.
Circle: The issuer of USD Coin (USDC) integrated with Stellar in 2020, allowing USDC to be minted and transferred on the network, boosting liquidity and adoption.
Deloitte: In 2021, Deloitte Canada launched a blockchain solution on Stellar for government clients, focusing on secure, auditable financial reporting.

How It Works

Stellar’s network operates using a consensus protocol that validates transactions in seconds without relying on energy-intensive mining. This makes it ideal for high-frequency financial operations across global partners.

Consensus Protocol: The Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP) achieves agreement in under 5 seconds, enabling rapid transaction finality without centralized control.
Bridge Accounts: Anchors act as trusted intermediaries that issue and redeem digital assets, allowing seamless fiat-to-crypto conversions across borders.
Multi-Currency Support: Stellar supports over 160 currencies, enabling direct trades between fiat and digital assets without intermediate conversion steps.
Smart Contracts: Limited but efficient contract functionality allows automated payments, escrow, and token issuance within the network’s secure framework.
Transaction Fees: Each transaction costs $0.001, making it cost-effective for micropayments and high-volume remittance operations.
Network Capacity: The network can process 1,000+ transactions per second, far exceeding legacy systems like SWIFT in speed and efficiency.

Comparison at a Glance

Stellar’s partnerships stand out when compared to other blockchain platforms in terms of real-world financial integration and transaction performance.

Feature	Stellar	SWIFT	Bitcoin	Ethereum
Transaction Speed	Under 5 seconds	1–5 days	10 minutes	15 seconds
Cost per Transaction	$0.001	$25–$50	$1–$50	$1–$50
Partnerships	IBM, MoneyGram, Circle	Global banks	Minimal	Visa, Mastercard pilots
Consensus Method	SCP (decentralized)	N/A	Proof of Work	Proof of Stake
Use Case Focus	Cross-border payments	Bank transfers	Store of value	Smart contracts

This comparison highlights Stellar’s unique position: it combines enterprise-grade partnerships with scalable technology tailored for financial institutions. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, Stellar prioritizes practical utility over speculation, making it a preferred choice for regulated entities.

Why It Matters

Stellar’s partnerships are transforming how money moves globally, especially in underserved regions. By enabling near-instant, low-cost transactions, it reduces reliance on traditional banking monopolies and fosters financial inclusion.

Financial Inclusion: Over 1.7 billion unbanked people can access digital wallets through Stellar-powered apps in developing economies.
Remittance Efficiency: Migrants sending money home save up to 80% on fees compared to traditional services like Western Union.
Central Bank Collaboration: The Bank of Korea tested Stellar’s tech in 2021 for a digital won pilot, signaling institutional trust.
Environmental Impact: Stellar’s energy-efficient consensus uses less than 0.0001% of Bitcoin’s power, reducing carbon footprint.
Tokenization: Real-world assets like real estate and stocks are being issued on Stellar, expanding access to investment opportunities.
Global Reach: Partnerships span North America, Africa, and Asia, creating a truly interoperable financial network.

As digital finance evolves, Stellar’s network of partnerships positions it as a foundational layer for the future of global payments, combining speed, affordability, and scalability.