XRP (XRP-USD) isn’t the only token courting Wall Street. Its longtime rival Stellar (XLM-USD) is quietly building momentum.
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Just as Ripple inches closer to the end of its SEC saga, Stellar has been stepping up in the shadows. And now, with fresh partnerships and government pilot programs, some are wondering if XLM is positioning itself as the darker horse in the race
Stellar Scores Quiet Wins while Ripple Fights Headlines
Over the past month, Stellar has inked deals that give it real-world exposure. Most notably, it secured a place in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s “FedNow” service pilot through its involvement with stablecoin infrastructure. It’s also pushing ahead with remittance-focused pilots in South America and Africa — regions Ripple once dominated.
Unlike XRP, which is still partially tied to Ripple’s legal baggage, Stellar has leaned into a more decentralized narrative. The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) isn’t battling regulators. Instead, it’s selling reliability to institutions and regulators alike, without headlines, and without lawsuits.
XRP’s Legal Victory Gives It a Bigger Platform
But XRP has the firepower. Following Judge Torres’ 2023 ruling that XRP is not a security, Ripple has aggressively returned to business development. Just last week, the company filed a joint motion with the SEC to finalize a $125 million settlement, a move seen by many as the final chapter of a long legal drama.
That’s helped XRP climb back to $2.20, with analysts like Crypto Beast eyeing highs of $8 to $19 this cycle. That’s a 763% upside, if the stars align.
Stellar? Still under 20 cents, and mostly flat despite the market rebound.
Big Banks vs Public Sector
There’s a strategic difference. Ripple has targeted banks, liquidity providers, and private market infrastructure. Stellar has chased humanitarian and public-sector projects. It’s partnered with MoneyGram for on/off ramps, and is even testing blockchain-based aid delivery systems with the UN.
That means XRP and XLM aren’t just technical competitors, they’re selling to different customers. One is trying to rebuild the banking rails. The other is trying to replace them entirely.
Price Action Says It All — For Now
In price terms, XRP is still the heavyweight. It boasts higher liquidity, deeper exchange listings, and far greater retail momentum. XLM’s volume is less than a tenth of XRP’s on most days.
While XRP moves fast and loud, Stellar is pacing itself like a quiet engineer laying track. That steady approach is starting to resonate with institutions prioritizing reliability over speculation. And some analysts argue that’s precisely what makes it attractive to institutions who want predictable infrastructure, not meme-fueled volatility.
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