Stellar is a decentralized blockchain-based platform and cryptocurrency designed to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border transactions and enable the creation of digital assets. It was created in 2014 by Jed McCaleb, one of the co-founders of Ripple. Stellar operates with its native cryptocurrency called Lumens (XLM), which is used to facilitate transactions and prevent spam on the network. Unlike Bitcoin, which focuses primarily on being a digital currency, Stellar aims to bridge traditional financial systems and enable seamless transfers of various assets, including currencies, stocks, and commodities. The primary goal of Stellar is to make financial transactions more accessible and affordable, particularly for underserved populations and regions with limited banking infrastructure. Stellar achieves this through its unique consensus algorithm, the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP). SCP enables decentralized agreement among network participants, eliminating the need for a central authority to validate transactions. This consensus protocol ensures the security and integrity of the network while allowing for fast transaction settlement times, typically within a few seconds. Additionally, Stellar incorporates a decentralized exchange feature that enables users to convert one asset to another directly on the network, promoting liquidity and reducing the need for third-party intermediaries.