Stellar (XLM) is witnessing a significant surge in investor interest, marking what appears to be the beginning of a breakout in its price movement. The altcoin, often compared to XRP due to their similar use cases in global payment services, has seen a sharp increase in trading volume and price, signaling a bullish trend.

Over the past 24 hours, Stellar’s trading volume surged by an impressive 51.53%, reaching $309.96 million. This massive uptick in trading activity has resulted in a notable price increase of 9.03%, bringing the price of XLM to $0.2725. The breakout occurred swiftly, with the coin moving past a key resistance level of $0.2495, stunning market participants who had been hesitant to jump in.

This breakout could mark the beginning of a larger rally for Stellar, with potential to push the coin back toward the $0.31 zone—a level it slipped below about a month ago. However, for this to happen, the community must maintain the current momentum of accumulation and investor interest.

The most recent surge in XLM’s price has outpaced its rival XRP, which saw a price increase of 8.48%. This indicates that XLM is gaining traction not only among traders but also among institutional investors who are becoming increasingly interested in its potential. Both XLM and XRP share a significant role in the world of digital payment systems, making them competitors and peers in the crypto space.

Further bolstering the bullish sentiment for XLM is a recent partnership announcement between Stellar and AEON Group, South Asia’s largest retail firm. This partnership is poised to bring blockchain-based payment infrastructure to the region, and AEON stores in Malaysia will start accepting XLM payments in the second half of 2025. The strategic retail collaboration is expected to drive higher demand for XLM and increase its adoption in the financial market.

The partnership could also provide a significant boost to Stellar’s standing in the region, particularly as both XLM and XRP are seeking to expand their reach in Asia. XRP, for example, has been exploring institutional adoption in the region and has recently teamed up with HashKey Capital to launch a tracker fund for its token.

In addition to the strategic partnerships, XLM has been steadily climbing in value over the past seven days, with a 15.63% increase in the last week alone. This steady rise suggests that Stellar may be gaining momentum for a sustained upward trend, with more traders and investors likely to take notice.

As the digital asset market regains its bullish momentum, Stellar’s price action suggests that it is entering a phase of growth, with key metrics—such as trading volume and price—indicating a strong potential for further gains. Investors will be watching closely to see if the price can continue to climb, potentially reaching new highs as it continues to build momentum in the coming weeks.

In conclusion, Stellar’s recent breakout, along with the growing interest in its blockchain payment solutions, positions XLM as one of the altcoins to watch in 2025. The partnership with AEON Group is just the beginning, and if the current momentum continues, XLM could see significant growth in the months ahead.