Stellar Protocol X-Ray Mainnet Release

JAN

22

Event date

Thursday 22 January 2026, UTC

Event description

Stellar is launching the Protocol X-Ray Mainnet on January 22, 2026, introducing native BN254 and Poseidon to its Soroban smart contract platform. This upgrade aims to simplify and reduce costs for zero-knowledge (ZK) applications on Stellar, enhancing its capability for privacy-preserving and scalable smart contracts. Participants can follow updates and engage through Stellar's official channels, including their verified Twitter account.

Recent News

In recent months, Stellar has focused on expanding its smart contract capabilities with Soroban, aiming to support advanced cryptographic primitives such as zero-knowledge proofs. The announcement of Protocol X-Ray Mainnet marks a significant milestone, promoting more accessible development of ZK apps on Stellar. No conflicting reports have been noted from major crypto news sources.

Future Plans

Post-launch, Stellar plans to further develop its zk-focused infrastructure and integrate additional cryptographic methods to enhance network privacy and scalability. Enhancements to Soroban are planned to continue supporting developers with more tools and cost-effective solutions for building decentralized applications.

Community Sentiment

Generally positive sentiment, with developers and users expressing optimism about the improved ZK app capabilities on Stellar. Comments highlight expectations for cheaper and easier ZK application development. "Stellar just made ZK apps way more accessible," noted one user. "Looking forward to seeing innovative use cases on Soroban," said another.

Risk Disclaimer

This upgrade could affect token utility and adoption rates; users should monitor the impact on network activity and token dynamics.

Sources used

Stellar

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Stellar (XLM) Events List

Stellar Protocol Whisk Discussion

Protocol 23, set for a mainnet vote on September 3, 2025, at 17:00 UTC, introduces eight Core Advancement Proposals, including parallel transaction processing for faster confirmations, unified event streams to simplify app development, and optimized Soroban smart contract costs. If validators approve, Whisk will go live, reducing fees and latency while improving scalability. The purpose is to make Stellar faster, more cost-effective, and developer-friendly, supporting its growth as a hub for financial applications. Its significance lies in addressing data fragmentation and boosting throughput, critical for real-world use cases like cross-border payments. Expected impacts include increased developer adoption, higher transaction volumes, and enhanced ecosystem efficiency, benefiting the crypto community by advancing scalable blockchain solutions. Upgrades may cause temporary network adjustments, so developers should update SDKs to avoid disruptions.Recent NewsIn August, Stellar tokenized $446 million in U.S. Treasuries via Franklin Templeton, signaling institutional trust. July saw partnerships with PayPal and MoneyGram, enhancing cross-border payment capabilities and driving a 13% rise in active addresses to 158,329. June marked the testnet launch of Whisk, with successful trials of parallel processing and unified events, aligning with the growing $250 billion stablecoin market and increased DeFi activity on Stellar.Future PlansStellar’s 2025 roadmap targets 5,000 transactions per second, with Protocol 24 (named “X”) set to introduce further smart contract enhancements and cross-chain bridges. Plans include expanding tier-1 validators to bolster decentralization and launching developer grants to spur dApp growth. Goals focus on solidifying Stellar’s role in global finance, supporting CBDCs, and integrating with platforms like NEAR for advanced DeFi use cases, aiming for broader real-world adoption by 2026.Onchain DataStellar processed 18.5 million transactions in Q2 2025, up 16%, with 158,329 active addresses. Stablecoin-related value hit $627 million, driven by institutional tokenization. Detailed staking metrics are unavailable, but validator participation remains robust, supporting network stability.Community SentimentPosts on X show cautious optimism, with users praising Whisk’s potential to streamline development and cut costs. Discussions highlight its impact on projects like Pi Network, built on Stellar’s infrastructure, though some note muted trader interest, with XLM’s open interest flat at $310 million. Influencers see long-term value in Stellar’s real-world integrations, despite short-term price stagnation.Whisk positions Stellar as a leader in scalable, accessible blockchain tech, offering enthusiasts a robust platform for financial innovation.

Stellar

September 4

DAS London 2025 Conference

DAS London is a premier institutional crypto conference returning to London on October 15, 2025. Hosted by leading figures in the digital asset industry, the event gathers top investors, innovators, and institutions for a focused day of discussions and networking. The conference format facilitates panels, keynote speeches, and direct engagement opportunities. Recent News Although direct recent news specific to DAS London 2025 is limited, the conference has a history of featuring key industry announcements and partnerships. The broader digital asset sector continues to advance with innovations in DeFi, regulatory developments in major markets, and growing institutional interest, setting the stage for a high-profile gathering. Future Plans DAS London aims to strengthen its position as a key annual meeting for institutional crypto players, addressing evolving technological trends and regulatory landscapes. The 2025 conference will likely expand its topics to include emerging asset classes, advanced trading technologies, and cross-industry collaborations. Onchain Data No verifiable onchain metrics available. Community Sentiment Neutral to positive. The crypto community generally views DAS London as a significant industry event facilitating vital connections and dialogue, though specific reactions to the 2025 edition are not yet active publicly. Risk Disclaimer As a conference event, DAS London may influence market sentiment but does not directly affect tokenomics or price mechanisms. Sources used https://blockworks.co/event/digital-asset-summit-2025-london

SharpLink Gaming, Inc.

October 15

Stellar Protocol Upgrade Vote

Stellar validators are scheduled to vote on a protocol upgrade on October 26, 2025. This upgrade addresses a targeted fix for state archival inconsistencies discovered on October 9, 2025. The event is a governance vote by the Stellar network validators to implement the fix. Details and participation information are shared through Stellar's official channels including their X (formerly Twitter) account and developer blog. Recent News On October 9, 2025, the Stellar Development Foundation identified a bug in the network's state archival feature. A patch was deployed shortly after, and the next step is the validator vote to approve a permanent fix via the protocol upgrade. This has been a key focus for Stellar developers to ensure network reliability and archival integrity. Future Plans The successful upgrade will stabilize the archival process on Stellar's network, preventing data inconsistencies. The project continues to maintain and upgrade its protocol post-upgrade for better network performance and scalability. Additional monitoring and improvements may be planned based on validator feedback post-upgrade. Onchain Data No verifiable onchain metrics available. Community Sentiment Mixed to positive. Community discussions highlight relief that the bug was identified and addressed quickly but some cautious optimism remains until the vote passes and the upgrade successfully deploys. Key community reactions include praise for the transparency, with some validators discussing the technical details on social platforms. Risk Disclaimer This protocol upgrade vote may impact network stability and consequently the market sentiment of Stellar’s native token (XLM). Participants should consider risks related to blockchain governance votes and software upgrades. Sources used https://x.com/StellarOrg/status/1978911485628703071 https://stellar.org/blog/developers/addressing-state-archival-inconsistencies-protocol-upgrade-vote-next-week

Stellar

October 26

US Bank Stablecoin Test by Stellar

US Bank Stablecoin Test — November 25, 2025Category: OtherThis event highlights US Bank's initiative to test custom stablecoin issuance, pushing forward regulated deposit tokens leveraging Stellar's network infrastructure. US Bank is conducting a pilot to test custom stablecoin issuance that represents regulated deposit tokens on Stellar's blockchain network. The event is scheduled for November 25, 2025. The test aims to explore the feasibility of bank-issued tokens performing as reserve deposits, potentially creating a bridge between traditional banking reserves and blockchain technology. Participation details are not publicly specified, but the test is conducted under Stellar's development framework. Recent News In recent months, the push for regulated bank-issued stablecoins has increased, with more traditional financial institutions exploring tokenized deposits as an alternative to existing stablecoins. While US Bank's test is among the pioneering efforts, the broader industry is witnessing developments in stablecoin infrastructure, clarity in regulatory frameworks, and experiments with programmable money through bank-issued tokens on various blockchain networks, notably Stellar. Future Plans Stellar aims to support expanding applications of regulated deposit tokens to promote safer, compliant stablecoins that integrate with traditional finance. The network envisions more collaborations with financial institutions to enable transparent, programmable, and scalable digital assets backed by regulated deposits. Onchain Data No verifiable onchain metrics available. Community Sentiment Neutral to Positive — The community and industry observers recognize the significance of integrating traditional banking with blockchain through stablecoins. Some highlight it as a necessary step towards mainstream adoption and regulatory compliance. Example reactions include: "A key component is bridging deposits to tokens," and "This could redefine how banks interact with blockchain payments." However, detailed community feedback is limited due to the pilot's experimental nature. Risk Disclaimer This event may impact the perception of US Bank-issued stablecoins and thus could influence token demand and prices linked to Stellar or the involved stablecoins. Investors should consider the experimental status and regulatory developments before making decisions. Sources used https://x.com/StellarOrg/status/1993352205471223836?s=20

Stellar

November 25

Stellar Protocol X-Ray Testnet

Stellar is launching the Protocol X-Ray Testnet on January 7, 2026. This release introduces native BN254 and Poseidon cryptographic primitives to Soroban, Stellar's smart contract platform, aimed at facilitating easier and cheaper zero-knowledge (ZK) privacy applications. The testnet allows developers to experiment and build privacy-preserving features leveraging ZK technology on Stellar's growing ecosystem. Recent News In recent months, Stellar has focused on expanding Soroban's capabilities, including adding advanced cryptographic tools like BN254 and Poseidon to boost privacy and scalability. The announcement continues Stellar's roadmap progression to enhance smart contract functionalities and developer tools. Future Plans Following the testnet launch, Stellar plans to integrate these ZK primitives more deeply into Soroban, aiming for a mainnet release that supports privacy-preserving dApps with improved cost efficiency and security. They are focusing on developer adoption and refining user experience for privacy features. Community Sentiment Generally positive, with the community expressing excitement about easier integration of ZK privacy features on Soroban. Comments highlight expected improvements in privacy and cost-effectiveness. Risk Disclaimer As a testnet release, this event poses minimal direct risk to token price, but successful adoption could influence long-term valuation. Sources used https://x.com/StellarOrg/status/1993012871757021345

Stellar

January 7

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