The network’s payment activity rose 71% from a year earlier, with usage shifting from token issuance to transaction demand tied to tokenized assets and multicurrency stablecoins.
Stellar reported record payment volume of $5.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a 71% increase year over year. The update indicates that activity on the blockchain network is moving beyond asset issuance and toward measurable transaction usage, particularly through tokenized assets and multicurrency stablecoins. In crypto markets, tokenized assets represent real-world or financial assets issued on blockchain rails, while stablecoins are digital tokens designed to maintain a steady value and are often used for payments and settlement.