Stellar
“Can an open-source blockchain protocol become the default settlement and stablecoin infrastructure layer for global cross-border payments and embedded finance?”
Founded in 2014 as an open-source blockchain protocol for cross-border currency exchange, Stellar (supported by the nonprofit Stellar Development Foundation) evolved from a general-purpose cryptocurrency network into purpose-built financial infrastructure for cross-border payments, stablecoin issuance, and embedded finance rails. The launch of the Soroban smart contract layer extended Stellar's capabilities to complex financial instruments including yield-bearing assets. The network increasingly serves as an underlying settlement layer for fintechs and payment platforms rather than a consumer-facing product, with partners like Nium, Airtm, and Bridge building on top of it.