IBM Signs 6 Banks to Issue Stablecoins and Use Stellar's XLM Cryptocurrency (2024)

IBM is taking its banking clients a step closer to cryptocurrency.

Announced Monday, six international banks have signed letters of intent to issue stablecoins, or tokens backed by fiat currency, on World Wire, an IBM payment network that uses the Stellar public blockchain. The network promises to let regulated institutions move value across borders – remittances or foreign exchange – more quickly and cheaply than the legacy correspondent banking system.

So far three of the banks have been identified – Philippines-based RCBC, Brazil's Banco Bradesco, and Bank Busan of South Korea – the rest, which are soon to be named, will offer digitalversions of euros and Indonesian rupiah,“pending regulatory approvals and other reviews," IBM said.

The network went live Monday, although while the banks await their regulators' blessings, the one stablecoin running on World Wireat the moment is a previously announced U.S. dollar-backed token created by Stronghold, a startup based in San Francisco.“We say 'limited production,'” said Jesse Lund, IBM's head of blockchain for financial services, of the project's status.

Indeed, while Stronghold's USD-backed coin currently serves as an on-ramp for greenbacks,there are as yet no pay-in/pay-out locations in the U.S.In this regard, IBM has received “a favorable verbal response” from U.S. regulators, said Lund.

“So we are starting with markets that are outside of the U.S., but it won't be long before we add U.S. as an operating endpoint. It will be sometime this year; we will get to it, third quarter, fourth quarter something like that,” he said.

Still, the World Wire platform has payment locations in 72 countries, with 48 currencies and 46 "banking endpoints" (which include banks and money transmitters) where people can send or receive cash, said IBM.

Aside from issuing their own tokens, the arrangement opens up the possibility of banks using lumens, the native token of the Stellar blockchain, which can be used as a "bridge currency" when it is hard to trade one type of fiat for another. Also, World Wire “could support other cryptos” but is only supporting lumens for the moment because financial institutions are put off by the volatility of cryptocurrencies, Lund said.

However, as far as growing a bank-backed stablecoin universe is concerned, Lund has a grand vision. He told CoinDesk,

“As more stablecoins come on board, the whole notion of FX changes over time. We are working very hard to expand the ecosystem of stablecoins that will include many more banks and many more fiat currencies – so digital representations of fiat currencies - and even, eventually, central bank issued digital currencies.”

Stellar performance

World Wire may be the first big outing for IBM and Stellar, but Big Blue has been quietly working on this for some time, such as in its pilot in late 2017 with a money transfer operator called KlickEx in the South Pacific region.

It’s all part of former banker Lund’s idea for how IBM will play its part in the future of financial services.

“We are doing a lot of other stuff in the private permissioned space, which is code for enterprise blockchain,” he said. “But this is a different type of system and a different type of network, and IBM is convening this. I mean, this is something IBM has never done before.”

Stellar, created by former Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb, has been making plenty of bold moves under its own steam: so what does IBM bring to the table?

Lund said IBM calls itself the “network operator” while Stellar is really the protocol level. In terms of IBM’s role, this includes maintaining the payment API and some core system software that handles accounts and money flow for participants on the network.

It also helps that IBM has relationships with most of the banks on the planet. Lund also pointed out that IBM is “the single most trusted validator on the public Stellar network today,” meaning many other nodes listen to its nodes about which transactions should occur.

“Look at the Stellar dashboard and see the IBM validators out there,” said Lund. “There’s a lot of others, but everyone trusts us. So in the consensus model, we are kind of a big anchor there.”

New revenue model

As well as pushing Stellar and stablecoins into the wheelhouse of numerous banks and regulators, IBM's blockchain division is also exploring a new revenue model with World Wire.

This is probably a smart strategy as the pressure on enterprise players to show at least the possibility of a return on investment is becoming palpable.

Indeed, an IBM spokeswoman told CoinDesk last week about the vendor’s move to a pay-as-you-go model.

“In the next version of IBM Blockchain Platform, we will be moving to an hourly charge based on consumption, so that users have much more flexibility over their costs and infrastructure as they build blockchain,” she said.

In keeping with that, World Wire is free to join; participants pay according to the value they move through the network, said Lund. “That's how we maintain our revenue for supporting the network and so that alone is an entirely new way of engaging the financial services industry that IBM has never done before.”

The aggregate numbers for global payments are pretty staggering, noted Lund, in the hundreds of trillions of dollars per year which transact across borders. As such, IBM intends to “meter the money” and “charge a very, very modest amount of basis points” on the value that flows through this frictionless pipeline, said Lund, concluding,

“I am not talking about selling software here. I am talking about transactional revenue by way of our ownership of a new kind of network that's enabled by blockchain; it's all about new transactional networks.”

IBM image via nattul / Shutterstock.com

IBM Signs 6 Banks to Issue Stablecoins and Use Stellar's XLM Cryptocurrency (2024)

FAQs

What crypto is IBM backing? ›

IBM Corp. (IBM) has partnered with Stellar, a blockchain that shares technology with Ripple, and Stronghold, a startup, to launch USD Anchor. Coins of USD Anchor are backed by an equivalent amount of U.S. dollars on deposit at FDIC-insured banks by Nevada-based Prime Trust.

Is IBM still using XLM? ›

IBM were contracted by MAERSK shipping to provide a solution to their global shipping ledger. IBM are using the Stellar XLM blockchain platform.

What is Stellar Coinbase quiz answers? ›

Question 1: What is Stellar? Correct answer: A decentralized protocol that unites the world's financial infrastructure. Question 2: What are Stellar Lumens (XLM)? Correct answer: Facilitating low-cost, universal payments.

How much is IBM cryptocurrency? ›

IBM Metaverse price is unchanged in the past week. The current price is $4,926,004,466,638,408,000.00 per IBM.

What are the new chips from IBM? ›

IBM's 2-nanometer (nm) chip technology puts 50 billion transistors, each the size of roughly five atoms, on a space no bigger than your fingernail.

Which investors have backed the most crypto startups? ›

Who's been the most active? US firms have generally been more active in the crypto and decentralised finance (DeFi) space than Europeans, but the investor which made the most investments in 2021 and 2022 (so far), according to Dealroom, was London-based investment firm and hedge fund Kingsway Capital, with 23 deals.

Who is backing XLM? ›

Lumens (XLM) is the native digital currency supported by the Stellar network, the underlying peer-to-peer (P2P) payment network and development platform that allows for near instantaneous transactions across the world.

How much XLM does Stellar own? ›

The Stellar Development Foundation holds about 60% of the XLM supply. This gives it a significant amount of control over the cryptocurrency and its value.

Who backed Stellar XLM? ›

Stellar lumens (XLM) are the tokens released as native assets by the Stellar Development Foundation, a nonprofit launched by Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb in 2014.

What problem is Stellar trying to solve? ›

Stellar champions a selfless cause by aiming to empower users in impoverished countries by targeting unbanked communities that do not have access to mainstream payment services. This is carried out in a bid to help combat poverty.

What happens to my XLM on Coinbase? ›

If you have assets on networks that were previously supported by Coinbase Wallet (BCH, ETC, XLM, XRP), you will no longer be able to see or transact with those assets after February 20th, 2023.

How to get free XLM from Coinbase? ›

Click the referral link button below to earn free XLM Stellar Lumens when signing up to Coinbase. This will ensure you receive free XLM Stellar Lumens by simply taking part in a few short introductory videos explaining to you what XLM Stellar Lumens is.

What blockchain is IBM using? ›

The IBM Blockchain Platform is powered by Hyperledger technology. This blockchain solution can help turn any developer into a blockchain developer. Visit the Hyperledger website for details.

Is IBM blockchain platform free? ›

Try the IBM Blockchain Platform at no charge for 30 days. When you order, select a Standard plan in the IBM Blockchain Platform and connect to a Free IBM Cloud Kubernetes cluster.

How much is CIA Cryptocurrency? ›

CIA Price Statistics
CIA Price$0.00000295
24h Low / 24h High$0.00000272 / $0.00000310
7d Low / 7d High$0.00000272 / $0.00000310
Trading Volume$5,203
All-Time High$0.00004557 -93.52% Jan 05, 2022 (over 1 year)
1 more row

What is the most advanced chip in the world? ›

(RTTNews) - Samsung Electronics Co. has started the mass production of 3-nanometer or nm chips, which is considered as the most advanced chip in the world.

Who makes the most advanced computer chips in the world? ›

(TSM) is the largest manufacturer of semiconductor chips. TSM makes around 90% of advanced chips produced globally. TSM also controls more than half of the global semiconductor foundry market, by revenue. Why is there a 2021 chip shortage?

Who is the largest chip MFG in the US? ›

1. Intel Corporation (Leading Semiconductor Company in USA) Intel is world leader in silicon innovation develops processor technologies and supports global initiatives.

What cryptocurrency are billionaires investing in? ›

As might be expected, Bitcoin (BTC 0.11%) is a favorite choice of billionaires looking to extend their wealth into new asset classes such as crypto. Lately, Ethereum (ETH 0.10%) has been attracting its own share of billionaire supporters. And don't forget about meme coins.

Who are the top billionaires investing in cryptocurrency? ›

  • Changpeng Zhao (CZ)
  • Song Chi-hyung.
  • Brian Armstrong.
  • Jed McCaleb.
  • Chris Larsen.
  • Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.
  • Michael Saylor.
  • Wealthiest Crypto Holder FAQs.
Feb 17, 2023

Which crypto has the most advanced technology? ›

Cardano is arguably the most secure blockchain technology. It is also the largest smart contract platform running on proof-of-stake technology.

Will banks use Stellar? ›

While the average person can use Ripple and banks can use Stellar, they were each designed for specific users to provide a more efficient experience to their target markets.

Is XLM being delisted? ›

Key Takeaways. Coinbase to delist XRP, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum Classic, and XLM. These assets won't be available from January 2023.

Is it worth buying XLM? ›

Stellar Lumens is a great investment choice for those of you who like long-term crypto investments because its solid fundamentals have the potential to drive prices up. Apart from that, XLM is one of the most preferred types of crypto assets.

How high will Stellar get? ›

These Stellar Lumens predictions range anywhere from $0.2 in 2022 to $7 per coin in 2030.

Will XLM reach $1? ›

Some bullish Stellar XLM price predictions think that Stellar could cross the $1 mark with a potential high of $1.29 by the end of 2030. How high can XLM realistically go? As per our Stellar price prediction 2023, the maximum price XLM can reach is $0.17 in 2023, and the minimum price will be $0.12.

How high can XLM go? ›

According to the technical analysis of Stellar prices expected in 2023, the minimum cost of Stellar will be $0.0734306562. The maximum level that the XLM price can reach is $0.0858709121. The average trading price is expected around $0.0983111679.

Can Stellar replace Ethereum? ›

Ethereum can do everything Stellar can do and far more — it just can't do it as quickly or inexpensively. Stellar, however, was specifically built to not be able to achieve everything that Ethereum can.

Why did Stellar burn coins? ›

The SDF states that the burn was geared to making the system more efficient as it moves forward. It wrote: “SDF can be leaner and do the work it was created to do using fewer lumens.

How many people own Stellar? ›

In less than a year, Stellar housed almost 3 million user accounts. Since that time, Stellar has signed on over 55,000 accounts of its own and built a network of partners that includes Coinbase, Franklin Templeton and MoneyGram.

Why is Stellar Lumens struggling? ›

Despite being notable for its impressive transaction speed attributed to its shortened approval cycle, Stella Lumens is currently struggling because it has an exceedingly small circulation volume coupled with the fact that the development pattern on the platform is slow.

Does XLM burn coins? ›

XLM also burns 100 Stroops (0.00001 XLM) every time a transaction is made.

Why is XLM so cheap? ›

Why Is Stellar Lumens XLM So Cheap? A number of factors can be attributed to Stellar Lumens XLM incredibly cheap prices. One could argue the case of demand and supply, competition, and the most recent Ripple effect. Demand and supply here affect Stellar Lumens prices in two ways.

Can you cash out XLM? ›

Starting today, you can: Deposit and withdraw your XLM to and from any wallet on the XLM network. Move your XLM onto Uphold and swap it for any of 190+ other cryptocurrencies. Buy XLM with your debit/credit card and withdraw it immediately to any external Solana wallet.

Is Coinbase dropping XLM? ›

The largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global Inc. announced that its wallet will no longer be supporting Ethereum Classic (ETC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), XRP and Stellar (XLM) as of January 2023, according to a recent company blog post.

How safe is XLM? ›

Well, as is the case with both crypto and conventional investments, your Stellar Lumens will not be immune to risks. In most cases, it all has to do with untamed price action, but it can stretch to actual loss of the investment to cybercriminals and other unnatural factors.

How much is 1 XLM? ›

The current value of 1 XLM is $0.09 USD.

How much is XLM coin worth in dollars? ›

XLM's current price is $0.09551, with a 24-hour trading volume of $41.83M. XLM is +0.31% in the last 24 hours, with a circulating supply of 26.77B XLM coins and a maximum supply of 50.00B XLM coins. XLM ranks 29 by market cap.

How much is XLM worth in dollars? ›

XLM to USD Chart

XLM to USD rate today is $0.095024 and has increased 0.3% from $0.094696909128 since yesterday.

Is IBM a leader in blockchain? ›

IBM Blockchain Platform

It's the leading blockchain platform — for good reason. Here's what it can do for your enterprise.

How to invest in IBM blockchain? ›

Ways to start investing in blockchain

Buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that specifically invests in shares of companies with exposure to blockchain. Two notable examples are Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF (BLOK -3.67%) and Reality Shares Nasdaq NextGen Economy ETF (BLCN -1.66%).

How many blockchain patents does IBM have? ›

Top Holders of Blockchain Patents
OwnerNo. of PatentsJurisdiction
4. IBM399U.S.
5. Bank of America Corporation96U.S.
6. Pure Storage, Inc.90U.S.
7. Alipay (Hangzhou) Information Technology Co., Ltd.90China
6 more rows
Jul 21, 2022

What is the name of IBM blockchain coin? ›

Instead of using local currency to conduct transactions, the organization worked with IBM to create the Stronghold US Dollar. It acts like a token on IBM World Wire blockchain network, facilitating payment transactions to people and businesses in remote areas with weak local currencies.

How do I become a free blockchain developer from scratch? ›

To become a blockchain developer, one must gain knowledge or expertise in a variety of other computer sciences and mathematical domains, such as cryptography, etc.
  1. Start With Academics. ...
  2. Get Proficient With Required Tech Skills. ...
  3. Understanding the Basics of Blockchain. ...
  4. Learn About Cryptonomics.
Jan 24, 2023

What are the disadvantages of blockchain IBM? ›

Some known limitations with IoT Blockchain Service are documented along with possible solutions or workarounds.
  • High-rate transactions are rejected by IoT Blockchain Service. ...
  • Channel names must be unique within an IoT Blockchain Service organization. ...
  • IoT Blockchain Service UI might show a fabric that does not exist.

What are CIA coins? ›

$11.99. This coin honors the CIA and its employees and is minted in a brass alloy, given an antique finish and imbued with the bold colors of the CIA emblem.

What is the spy of crypto? ›

What Is SpyWolf (SPY)? SpyWolf is a platform with a team of crypto security experts who ensure safety and security in the crypto industry. The primary aim of the forum is to protect communities from falling into scams in crypto-based projects.

How much is $1,000 crypto? ›

1000 US Dollar is 0.036538 Bitcoin.

What blockchain platform does IBM use? ›

The IBM Blockchain Platform is IBM's commercial distribution of Hyperledger Fabric, which includes full 24x7x365 support of the open-source solution with service level agreements (SLAs). It comes with the most advanced set of productivity tools for building, governing and operating your blockchain solution.

Does IBM use Hedera? ›

Our Tech Preview is more of a use case on the importance and value of public consensus derived from the use of the Hedera Consensus Service working on top of the IBM Blockchain Platform built on top of Hyperledger Fabric for permissioned transaction processing.

Which blockchain is IBM Food Trust? ›

IBM Food Trust provides the highest level of commercially-available, tamper-resistant protection for food transaction data, employing the security benefits of the underlying IBM Blockchain Platform and Hyperledger Fabric.

What are the top blockchain virtual machines? ›

The Top EVM Compatible Blockchains Include Binance Smart Chain, Avalanche, Cardano Polygon, xDAI, and Tron. The EVM, or Ethereum Virtual Machine, is a key piece of software that executes smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.

Which cryptocurrencies are using blockchain technology? ›

Cryptocurrencies are usually built using blockchain technology. Blockchain describes the way transactions are recorded into "blocks" and time stamped. It's a fairly complex, technical process, but the result is a digital ledger of cryptocurrency transactions that's hard for hackers to tamper with.

Is Hedera owned by Google? ›

Hedera is owned and managed by a "governing council" of global companies and entities.

What coins are built on Hedera? ›

USD Coin (USDC) on Hedera is a stablecoin brought to you by Circle and Coinbase on the Hedera network, adopting fast settlement times, low fees, and scalable transaction performance. Hedera required on and off-ramps, in the form of a stable fiat currency, for use by decentralized finance applications and end-users.

What network is HBAR built on? ›

HBAR is the native, energy-efficient cryptocurrency of the public Hedera network.

What blockchain is Walmart using? ›

One of the most significant piece of news arrived that year from the Walmart China Blockchain Traceability Platform It introduced the first batch of 23 product lines tested and launched on the platform, enabled by VeChain's Blockchain technology.

Who is the leading blockchain security company? ›

CertiK provides a wide range of security services for blockchain companies. The company is one of the leading blockchain security service providers.

Who is the largest company in the world embracing blockchain? ›

IBM. Founded in 1911, IBM is a cloud platform and cognitive solutions company — it's also the largest company in the world embracing blockchain. IBM has helped more than 220 businesses develop applications and data governance tools that run on blockchain.

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