TLDR:
- Stellar’s XLM rose over 14% this week, driven by tech upgrades and growing investor interest.
- Protocol 23 introduces smart contract boosts like Soroban parallel execution and Merkle Trees.
- Franklin Templeton and Circle have deployed $500M+ in U.S. Treasuries on Stellar’s network.
- Traders target $0.681 as bullish structure forms, with mainnet upgrade vote set for August 14.
Stellar’s native token, XLM, has posted a strong weekly gain, rising over 14% as new developments reignite interest across the ecosystem. The recent price action follows a combination of strategic upgrades, ecosystem growth, and institutional engagement.
Momentum continues to build as investors react to Stellar’s evolving smart contract capabilities and rising TradFi involvement.
The asset was trading at $0.2643, up over 6% in 24 hours, with volume climbing above $240 million. With a key protocol upgrade vote approaching, the rally may not be over.
Stellar Protocol 23 Release Sparks Network Optimism
The Stellar Development Foundation rolled out Stellar Core v23.0.0rc2, the release candidate for Protocol 23.
The upgrade introduces multiple performance and capability improvements that could reshape network functionality. New features include parallel execution of Soroban smart contracts, a reusable inter-ledger cache, and support for Merkle Trees.
The upgrade also integrates Unified Asset Events (CAP-67), allowing better tracking of token movements across smart contracts and advanced account types. According to Scopuly, these updates will power next-gen DeFi tools, NFT platforms, and more scalable dApps on the Stellar network.
🚀 Stellar $XLM Surges 14% as Major Releases Land! 💥$XLM is on the move — up 14% this week and now trading at $0.2636 (+6% in 24 h)! 📈
Big updates are fueling the rally across the Stellar ecosystem!🛠 Stellar Core v23.0.0rc2 (Protocol 23 release candidate) is live, packed… pic.twitter.com/FRNfrAI4UJ
— Scopuly – Stellar Wallet (@scopuly) July 9, 2025
While developers have focused on tech upgrades, institutional backing has grown behind the scenes.
X Finance Bull noted that traditional finance giants like Franklin Templeton and Circle have already deployed nearly $500 million in U.S. Treasuries on Stellar. These aren’t test deployments but real assets moving through the chain.
The large-scale activity suggests increasing confidence in Stellar’s infrastructure for handling tokenized real-world assets. As regulatory clarity grows, similar moves from other financial institutions could accelerate network usage and liquidity.
Traders Eye XLM Long-Term Breakout Potential
Technical analysts are also watching Stellar’s price structure closely. According to market watcher JAVONMARKS, XLM remains above key breakout levels.
With its current upward trajectory, traders are targeting $0.681 as a potential upside level, representing a 165% rally from current prices.
$XLM (Stellar)'s momentum looks to be slowly shifting back to the bull side and prices could be preparing for a major continuation with them still broken out!
Them still being broken out means that $0.681 is in play and that an over 165% run to reach it can take place which… https://t.co/I9kPPv4lcI pic.twitter.com/EUV7vxAdwm
— JAVON⚡️MARKS (@JavonTM1) July 8, 2025
The suggestion is that Stellar’s price structure may support a continuation of this breakout, especially with rising volume and protocol upgrades underway. Short-term momentum could depend on broader market sentiment and continued ecosystem traction.
The vote to activate Protocol 23 on Stellar’s mainnet is set for August 14, 2025. This timeline gives validators and ecosystem participants a window to prepare for the changes.
If approved, the upgrade will formally unlock new functionalities and reinforce Stellar’s role in the evolving digital asset landscape.
