Stellar (XLM) has suddenly roared back to life, recording an impressive 35% price surge in just 48 hours. Unlike many abrupt crypto rallies driven by speculation or social media buzz, this recent movement appears to have a solid foundation. The price increase is being fueled by rising on-chain activity and growing real-world demand for Stellar’s core services, particularly in the realm of cross-border financial transactions.

What sets this rally apart is the notable increase in network operations. Over 20 million daily operations have been recorded recently on the Stellar blockchain, pointing to heightened activity involving token transfers, decentralized exchanges, and everyday payments. This spike in usage reflects a resurgence of interest in Stellar’s core value proposition: fast, low-cost, and borderless transactions. As the demand for efficient international money movement grows—especially in developing markets—Stellar is positioning itself as a reliable solution.

Technically, XLM has also entered a strong position. For the first time since late 2024, the cryptocurrency has managed to push above its 200-day moving average. This is often interpreted as a bullish signal by traders and investors, as it indicates a potential shift in long-term momentum. The 50-day and 100-day moving averages are now converging near the current price level of approximately $0.27, forming a zone that often precedes periods of volatility or trend reversals. Furthermore, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 58, showing that the asset has momentum but is not yet overbought—offering further room for potential upside.

This measured growth and strengthening of technical indicators offer a stark contrast to the situation with XRP, another cryptocurrency long associated with cross-border payments. While Stellar is gaining traction through increased adoption and steady technical progress, XRP continues to be influenced by regulatory uncertainty and headline-driven volatility. XRP has spent months trading within a descending channel, struggling to break above key resistance levels. Its price movement has often reflected external pressures, such as its ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, rather than organic network growth.

Stellar’s relative outperformance in recent weeks has drawn attention from traders who see it as a more stable alternative within the altcoin space. The current price rally appears to be driven not by hype, but by real-world applications and usage. If this trend continues, and Stellar maintains or even increases its network activity, it could outperform XRP and other competitors over the medium term.

Looking ahead, traders are eyeing the $0.29 level as a potential breakout point. A daily close above that resistance could clear the way for a move toward $0.34. On the downside, failure to hold support at $0.27 could result in a pullback to the 200-day moving average around $0.26. Still, as long as the broader crypto market remains optimistic and Stellar’s network usage continues to rise, there is a strong case for continued growth.

In a market often ruled by speculation, Stellar’s recent gains stand out for their underlying strength. The surge in XLM’s price seems to reflect a broader return of interest in blockchain technology with real utility—particularly in sectors like remittances and global payments, where speed and cost matter most.