Stellar (XLM) Surges 60%: The Altcoin Leader in Hayes' 'Monster Altseason'

The cryptocurrency market is in motion, and Stellar (XLM) has emerged as the standout performer in what MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor dubbed a “monster altseason.” Over the past week, XLM surged over 60%, climbing from $0.24 to $0.38, as technical momentum, geopolitical tailwinds, and institutional liquidity converge to fuel its rise. This article examines why XLM is positioned to capitalize on this altcoin revival—and why investors should pay attention.

Technical Momentum: XLM's Chart Breakout Signals a Bull Run

XLM's rally is no fluke. Technical indicators reveal a breakout from a descending channel, with the token reclaiming its 50-day moving average ($0.2597) and surging past critical resistance at $0.30. shows a sharp upward slope, while its Relative Strength Index (RSI) near 60 signals growing momentum without overbought extremes. Analysts project short-term targets at $0.34 and $0.38, with a long-term ceiling near $0.68 if this trend sustains. This upward trajectory aligns with Bitcoin's (BTC) July all-time high (ATH) breakout—a catalyst for altcoin rotation as investors hunt for undervalued assets.

Political Catalysts: Tariffs, Trade, and Cross-Border Dominance

XLM's rise is deeply tied to its cross-border payment infrastructure, which benefits from geopolitical shifts. U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed tariff reductions on Chinese imports—though contentious—highlight a broader push to streamline global trade. For Stellar, this is a direct tailwind: its network processes transactions in seconds at fractions of a cent, making it ideal for remittances and cross-border commerce.

The PayPal-PYUSD integration (pending regulatory approval) further amplifies this advantage. By enabling the PYUSD stablecoin on Stellar, PayPal could channel millions of users into a network already handling $667 million in stablecoin liquidity. Meanwhile, the $528.8 million in real-world assets (RWAs) tokenized on Stellar—up 42% year-over-year—demonstrates institutional confidence in its infrastructure for regulated financial instruments.

Liquidity Drivers: Stablecoin Networks and Institutional Adoption

The “monster altseason” isn't just about price moves—it's about liquidity. XLM's Total Value Locked (TVL) in DeFi hit a record $108.88 million, fueled by upgrades like Protocol 23, which introduced Soroban parallel execution and Merkle Tree support. These enhancements reduce latency and boost scalability, attracting developers and investors alike.

shows a tightening link, suggesting XLM's growth isn't isolated but part of a broader crypto ecosystem expansion. Meanwhile, Franklin Templeton's $459 million deployment of U.S. Treasuries on Stellar underscores institutional trust in its ability to bridge traditional and decentralized finance.

Hayes' Pivot: From Bearish to Bullish on Altcoins

Michael Saylor's reversal from a bearish stance to declaring “altseason” is pivotal. His bullishness hinges on Bitcoin's July ATH breakout, which unlocked $1 trillion in market cap and spurred capital rotation into altcoins. XLM's low market cap ($2.3 billion) and underpenetrated use cases—cross-border payments, RWA tokenization—make it a prime beneficiary. As Saylor noted, “Stellar's liquidity and utility give it an edge when traders seek altcoin outperformance.”

Investment Thesis: XLM as the Altcoin Leader

The pieces are in place for XLM to dominate this cycle:
1. Technical Strength: Breakout momentum and institutional-grade on-chain metrics.
2. Political Tailwinds: Global trade reforms and stablecoin partnerships.
3. Liquidity Boom: Record TVL, PYUSD integration, and RWA growth.

Buy Strategy: Accumulate XLM at current levels, targeting $0.34 and $0.38. A dip below $0.28 would test support, but the bullish case remains intact.

Risk Factors: Regulatory delays for PayPal's integration or a Bitcoin sell-off could stall momentum. However, the network's Protocol 23 upgrade (August 2025) and partnerships with UNHCR's aid programs offer defensive catalysts.

Conclusion: XLM's Moment is Now

Stellar's 60% surge isn't just a blip—it's a signal. With Bitcoin's ATH paving the way and XLM's infrastructure addressing real-world pain points like cross-border inefficiencies, this altcoin is primed for sustained growth. As Saylor's “monster altseason” gains traction, investors would be wise to consider XLM as a top-tier play for 2025. The technicals, the catalysts, and the liquidity are all here. The question is: will you miss the rally?