How to Buy XLM Stellar | Where, How and Why

Stellar Network (XLM), launched in 2014, is a decentralized international payment network. Stellar is a payment technology aiming to connect financial institutions, payment systems, and people through blockchain technology and drastically reduce the transaction cost and time required for cross-border transfers. In addition to facilitating low-cost, fast transactions, Stellar aims to provide banking services and liquidity to developing markets.

Stellar Lumen, which carries the ticker symbol XLM is the Stellar Development Foundation’s native asset.  Lumens are cryptographically secured digital representations of liquid cash equivalents for nearly instant, ultra-low-fee global payments and remittances.

As a leading cryptocurrency portfolio tracker and market analysis platform, CoinStats offers its users a convenient and efficient way to exchange their existing Ethereum tokens (ETH) for XLM. 

How to Buy Stellar?

As Stellar Network has its own blockchain, and isn’t EVM-compatible, it is mostly supported by centralized exchanges. Therefore, you will have the best chance of buying XLM on CEXs. Coinbase and Binance are two of the largest centralized exchanges allowing users to buy XLM.

Check the real-time Stellar price on CoinStats, one of the best crypto platforms around.

Follow our step-by-step buying guide below to buy XLM tokens:

Step #1: Select a Crypto Exchange

Choose a cryptocurrency exchange that supports Stellar (XLM) and the fiat currency of your choice to ease the process.

Visit the market page on CoinStats to view the exchange platforms supporting XLM. Compare the exchanges’ security, user experience, fee structure, supported crypto assets, etc., to choose the one with the characteristics you need, such as affordable transaction fees, an intuitive platform, round-the-clock customer service, etc. Also, consider whether the cryptocurrency exchange is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and allows you to buy crypto using your preferred payment method.

Step #2: Create an Account

After you’ve chosen a cryptocurrency exchange that fulfills all your criteria, the following step is to register with the exchange using a valid email or mobile number. A link will be sent to your address, and you must click it to verify your account. Once the account is activated, you must create an elaborate password, and you’re good to go.  

Some exchanges have strict KYC and AML requirements, and in order to get verified, you must provide personal information such as:

• Full name
• Residential address
• Date of Birth
• ID Document. 

In some cases, you might also need to upload a selfie or undergo video verification to finalize the verification process.

Once your identity verification is complete, it’s recommended to activate two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of security.

Step #3: Deposit Funds

The next step is to deposit funds into your account. Many crypto exchanges support fiat currencies like USD, EUR, or your local fiat currency. Simply select your preferred deposit method, such as a bank transfer, wire transfer, credit or debit card, e-wallets, PayPal, etc., and the currency you wish to deposit. Tap on “Deposit Funds,” enter the amount you want to deposit and click “Deposit.”

Some deposit methods are extremely fast, while others, depending on the amount, require a confirmation from authorities. Remember to evaluate the fees of different deposit methods since some have larger fees than others.

• Credit or Debit Card

Linking your debit card to your crypto account is advantageous as it lets you make instant or recurring purchases, but be aware that it attracts an additional fee.

• Bank Account

It’s usually free to make a bank transfer from your local bank accounts, but you should still double-check with your exchange.

• Cryptocurrency

XLM can be traded for another cryptocurrency or a stablecoin; the trading pairs vary between exchanges. So, you must search for XLM on the spot market to select a pair from the list of available trading pairs.

Step #4: Buy XLM

Follow the steps below to place a market order to buy Stellar Lumen (XLM) tokens instantly at the current market price: 

• Click the search bar, enter XLM, and select “Buy XLM” or the equivalent.
• Select a trading pair you wish to buy XLM against. 
• Choose the payment method and the currency you wish to use, and input the amount of XLM or the fiat amount to be spent. Most exchanges automatically convert the amount to show you how many XLM tokens you’ll get.
• Double-check the transaction details and click “Confirm.”
• The XLM tokens will be displayed in your balance once the transaction is processed. 

You can also place a limit order indicating you want to buy XLM at or below a specific price point. Your broker will ask you the number of coins you wish to acquire and the maximum price you’re ready to pay for each once you’ve placed an order. The coins will only appear in your wallet if your broker fulfills your order at or below your requested pricing. The broker may cancel your order at the end of the day or leave it open if the price exceeds your limit.

If you’re planning to keep your newly purchased coins for an extended period, we highly recommend securely storing them in a hardware wallet.

To trade XLM on spot markets, go to the Trade page and search for the XLM pairs (XLM/USD or XLM/USDT). Select the trading pair and check the price chart. Click “Buy XLM,” select the “Market,” enter your amount or choose what portion of your deposit you’d like to spend by clicking on the percentage buttons. Confirm and click “Buy XLM.”

Congratulations on adding Stellar tokens to your crypto portfolio! 

Where Can I Buy Stellar Lumen Tokens? 

There are several ways to buy cryptocurrencies, each with advantages and disadvantages. We will explore five ways to buy cryptocurrencies:  exchanges, cryptocurrency brokers, Bitcoin ATMs, stock companies holding crypto, and crypto ETFs.

Exchanges

Cryptocurrency exchanges are one of the most common ways to buy cryptocurrencies. A crypto exchange is a platform where you can buy and sell various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Stellar Lumens, etc. Most exchanges match buyers and sellers, similar to a traditional stock exchange.

Note that we only mention centralized exchanges here, as decentralized exchanges currently offer no direct way of buying crypto (though they may use third parties). 

To buy a cryptocurrency on an exchange, you typically need to create an account and verify your identity. You can then fund your account with fiat currency (such as USD, EUR, or your local currency) and use that balance to purchase the cryptocurrency of your choice. Some popular cryptocurrency exchanges include:

• Coinbase 
• Binance 
• Kraken 
• Gemini
• KuCoin and more. 

Cryptocurrency Brokers

Cryptocurrency brokers are more like traditional brokers. They act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers and typically charge a commission or spread for their services. Brokers are a good place to start for crypto investors that want to diversify their portfolios and spread their investments in crypto, stocks, etc.

To use a broker, you typically need to create an account and pass the identity verification. The broker will then quote you a price for the cryptocurrency you want to buy and execute the trade on your behalf. Some popular cryptocurrency brokers include

• eToro
• Robinhood 
• SoFi Invest.

Crypto ATMs

Crypto ATMs are a relatively new way to buy cryptocurrencies. ATMs allow you to buy Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies with cash or a debit card. They instantly connect you to a cryptocurrency exchange and execute the trade on your behalf.

However, in order to use a crypto ATM, you must have a cryptocurrency wallet. Also, ATMs support limited cryptocurrencies, so you must convert your newly-bought crypto into the one you want if the cryptocurrency you choose isn’t supported. 

Stock Companies Holding Crypto

Investing in stock companies that hold cryptocurrency is an amazing way to invest in cryptocurrencies indirectly. Numerous companies hold significant amounts of cryptocurrency on their balance sheets, such as MicroStrategy and Tesla, with billion-worth of investments in Bitcoin.

To invest, you must open a brokerage account, pass identity verification, deposit funds, and purchase the stock on a stock exchange. 

However, it’s important to note that by investing in these stocks, you reduce your exposure to the crypto market and accept risks related to the company and the stock market as a whole.

Crypto ETFs

Crypto exchange-traded funds ( ETFs) enable you to invest in a diversified portfolio of cryptocurrencies directly on the stock market without the hassle of managing individual coins. 

Crypto ETFs provide exposure to the cryptocurrency market while diversifying risk among different cryptos.

To invest in a crypto ETF, you must go through the entire process of opening a brokerage account first. If you aim to create a diversified portfolio and spread out your risk, then ETFs might just be the right option. However, ETFs are not suitable for investing in a single cryptocurrency. 

How to Store XLM?

While your Stellar Lumens can be stored in your brokerage exchange wallet, experts highly recommend storing your precious coins away from exchange wallets, as those might be susceptible to hacks and interference. 

We highly recommend creating a private wallet with your own set of keys. Depending on your investing preferences, you might choose between software and hardware wallets:

Software Wallets

If you’re looking to trade XLM regularly, software or hot wallets provided by your selected crypto exchange will suit you. The strength of software wallets lies in their flexibility and ease of use. A software wallet is the most easy-to-set-up crypto wallet and lets you easily interact with several decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. However, these wallets are vulnerable to security leaks because they’re hosted online. So, if you want to keep your private keys in a software wallet, conduct due diligence before choosing one to avoid security issues. We recommend a platform that offers 2-factor authentication as an extra layer of security.
Examples of software wallets include CoinStats Wallet, MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Trust Wallet, and Edge Wallet, amongst others. However, since Stellar Network is its own blockchain, you will have to use a Stellar-native Lumen wallet to store your XLM tokens.

Hardware Wallets

Hardware or cold wallets are usually considered the safest way to store your cryptocurrencies as they offer offline storage, thereby significantly reducing the risks of a hack. They are secured by a pin and will erase all information after many failed attempts, preventing physical theft. Hardware wallets also let you sign and confirm transactions on the blockchain, giving you an extra layer of protection against cyber attacks. These are more suitable for experienced users who own large amounts of tokens.
Ledger hardware wallets are arguably the most secure hardware wallets letting you securely manage your digital assets. The Nano X is designed for advanced users and offers more storage space and advanced features than Ledger Nano S,  designed for crypto beginners.

A hardware wallet is more expensive than a hot wallet, with prices ranging between  $50 – $200.

Examples of cold wallets are Trezor Model T, Ledger Nano X, CoolWallet Pro, KeepKey, Ellipal Titan, and SafePal S1, amongst others. 

Track XLM Tokens on CoinStats

The crypto market is volatile, and managing your portfolio could get tricky if you hold multiple assets. Utilizing a portfolio tracker will help you keep track of your XLM tokens and all your crypto investments from one platform at all times. CoinStats offers one of the best crypto portfolio trackers in the market.

You can also monitor the profit, loss, and liquidity of XLM across several exchanges on CoinStats.

CoinStats supports over 300 cryptocurrency exchanges and over 20,000 cryptocurrencies. It offers charting tools, analytical data, advanced search features, and up-to-date news. Here you have the opportunity to connect an unlimited number of portfolios (wallets and exchanges), including:

• Binance
• MetaMask
• Trust Wallet
• Coinbase
• Kraken
• Kucoin
• Bitstamp, and 500 others. 

To connect, go to the CoinStats Portfolio Tracker page and:

• Click Add Portfolio and Connect Wallet.
• Click the wallet you want to connect to (e.g., Ethereum Wallet).
• Input the wallet address and press Submit.

Is Stellar a Good Investment?

Stellar’s core advantage is its interoperability. The protocol is energy-efficient and offers affordable and fast transactions. The Stellar Lumen (XLM) has seen significant price spikes and valleys like most cryptocurrencies in the time period. XLM’s price rose by an astounding 34,900% in 2017, less than four years after the network’s launch, providing a massive return on investment (ROI) to early speculators and cryptocurrency enthusiasts backing the project.

In 2018, the value tumbled by 77%, but the price stayed relatively stable throughout 2019 and 2020. Initially, the Stellar Foundation had over 100 billion lumens in existence but burned roughly half of its outstanding coins in November 2019. The move induced a price jump, but the rally quickly faded.

The XLM price in 2023 is hovering below $0.1, and its ranking is #29 by cryptocurrency market cap. 

XLM Price Prediction and Price Movement

According to the recent data on CoinStats, XLM’s current price is $0.091943, and its ranking is  #29 in the crypto ecosystem. 

XLM price has been steadily declining after May 2021 without any indication of a price reversal. However, a potential crypto bull market may send this cryptocurrency back to its previous highs.

If XLM manages to reverse its trend and head upwards, its two main resistance levels would be its previous two highs of $0.72 and $0.89. However, XLM has a long road until that price, and such a spike is highly unlikely in 2023.

Conclusion

The Stellar network has a reputation for trustworthiness. Lumens (XLM) tokens have been around since 2014, facilitating cross-border payments. Stellar supports low-cost and relatively user-friendly transfers. Stellar can potentially tokenize any asset and send it worldwide to any blockchain user.

The Stellar Lumens are available on multiple cryptocurrency exchanges, so you can buy XLM on virtually any platform of your choice.

Lumen’s price has not yet exceeded $0.80.

NOTE: Cryptocurrency is a high-risk investment. XLM price is highly volatile, so always do your own research before investing in Stellar Lumens XLM or any other cryptocurrency. 

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