Stellar is an open-source blockchain network designed to make global payments faster, cheaper, and more accessible. Launched in 2014, it enables individuals, businesses, and financial institutions to send, receive, and exchange digital assets within seconds while paying only minimal transaction fees. The network's native cryptocurrency, Stellar Lumens (XLM), is used to pay transaction fees, prevent network spam, and facilitate the exchange of different assets. Unlike many blockchains that focus primarily on decentralized applications, Stellar was built with cross-border payments and financial inclusion as its primary goals. It also supports tokenization, allowing organizations to issue digital versions of currencies, stablecoins, and other assets. With the addition of the Soroban smart contract platform, Stellar has expanded into decentralized applications while maintaining its reputation for speed, efficiency, and low-cost transactions.