- Stellar network activity expands as tokenized assets, stablecoins, and bank pilots move deeper into blockchain settlement infrastructure.
- U.S. Bank completed a live USBDC cross-border pilot on Stellar between North America and Europe, adding an institutional settlement test.
- Reported RWA value rose from about $1 billion in January to $4 billion by early September, marking rapid Stellar growth in 2026 alone.
Stellar network adoption is gaining pace as banks, asset managers, and payment firms increasingly test blockchain infrastructure for regulated settlement across payments and tokenized financial markets during 2026.
RWA Growth Sets the Broader Context
The figure cited roughly $4 billion in real-world assets by early September. That figure followed reported growth from $1 billion in January through several major milestones.
Reported RWA value reached about $2 billion in April and $3 billion by June. It then climbed toward $4 billion by early September alone. The figures represent roughly 300% growth within eight months, according to the supplied post.
The U.S. Bank adds another financial use case through its USBDC stablecoin pilot. The bank completed a live cross-border transaction between North America and Europe. The transaction used Stellar while retaining traditional banking controls around risk and compliance.
The supplied bank release described the pilot as a completed on-chain transfer. It also referenced payment, redemption, freezing, and clawback capabilities for participants. Those functions connect blockchain settlement with established controls used within regulated banking operations.
Stablecoins Expand Payment Connections
Franklin Templeton provides another institutional example through its BENJI fund. The fund has operated on Stellar since 2021, according to the supplied post. Approximately $654 million in BENJI was cited as being on the network today.
BENJI supports peer-to-peer movement, yield distribution, and collateral functions. Those capabilities extend tokenized funds beyond basic investment holding arrangements. The example shows how traditional financial products can gain additional functions through blockchain infrastructure.
MoneyGram adds payment infrastructure through its native MGUSD launch on Stellar. USDT0 also arrived on September 2, according to the supplied information. Its arrival connects Stellar with unified USDT liquidity exceeding $180 billion across networks.
That liquidity spans more than 26 networks, according to the provided data. The development adds another dollar-based route alongside USBDC and MGUSD. Together, these instruments expand the range of stablecoin activity associated with the broader network.
Institutional Infrastructure Broadens
The post also points toward planned DTCC connectivity during the first half of 2027. DTC’s Tokenization Service is being prepared for connection with Stellar. U.S. Treasuries, major ETFs, and Russell 1000 securities are being evaluated there.
The proposed connection would place traditional securities alongside existing tokenized instruments. It would also broaden the range of assets potentially moving through shared infrastructure. The supplied timeline remains future-dated, with implementation targeted for the first half of 2027.
Nuvanté has also tested Stellar-based stablecoin clearing through the Bank of England Synchronisation Lab. That test adds another banking-related use case to the supplied examples. The common thread remains settlement through blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
Across these developments, XLM remains tied to Stellar’s core operations. Transactions require XLM for fees, while accounts require XLM reserves. Smart-contract resources and path payments also connect the native asset directly with network activity.
