XLM's Price Could Surge 42% as Stellar's 'Whisk' Upgrade Sparks Institutional Interest

Stellar Lumens (XLM) is drawing renewed attention as its network implements Protocol 23, an upgrade branded as “Whisk,” which aims to improve scalability and transaction speed through parallel transaction processing (PTP) technology. This upgrade, launched on Sept. 3, is expected to significantly reduce latency and increase throughput during periods of high transaction demand, potentially enhancing Stellar’s competitive positioning in the broader crypto industry [1].

The upgrade comes at a time when Stellar’s ecosystem is experiencing growth. According to DeFi Llama, the total value locked (TVL) in Stellar’s network has risen to $140 million, highlighting its emergence as one of the fastest-growing blockchains. The network’s stablecoin supply has also surged to $710 million, with USDC assets reaching over $200 million and Franklin Templeton’s tokenized assets leading the market share [1].

Technical indicators and price action also point to a potentially bullish outlook for XLM. The token has formed a falling wedge pattern, indicating a potential rebound toward its year-to-date high of $0.5185. This pattern follows a sharp price increase from $0.2186 to $0.5185 within a short period. In addition, the XLM price has maintained strong support at the 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), suggesting that bulls are currently in control [1].

However, the market’s response to the upgrade has been cautious. On the day of the launch, the South Korean exchange Upbit suspended XLM trading to safeguard stability during the transition. XLM’s price remained in a narrow range between $0.36 and $0.37 during the 24-hour period leading up to the upgrade, with multiple failed attempts to push above $0.37. Analysts suggest this consolidation may indicate institutional accumulation, as sophisticated market participants closely watch for a breakout [2].

Looking ahead, traders are closely monitoring two critical levels. The $0.45 resistance level has been tested four times since June without a successful breakthrough, while the $0.30–$0.32 support zone is considered a potential accumulation area. The outcome of the upgrade could determine whether XLM breaks through its ceiling or retraces to rebuild support at lower levels [2]. Analysts anticipate a potential 42% price surge in the coming weeks, based on strong technical and fundamental indicators [1].

The broader digital asset landscape is also influencing Stellar’s trajectory. Growing interest in central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and enterprise blockchain adoption is providing additional tailwinds. This momentum is evident in partnerships involving companies like Hedera, as well as a potential push for a spot XLM ETF by financial services firms [1].

Source: [1] XLM Price Ripe for a 42% Surge as Stellar Whisk Upgrade Launches (https://coingape.com/markets/xlm-price-ripe-for-a-42-surge-as-stellar-whisk-upgrade-launches/) [2] Stellar Upgrade Triggers Trading Pauses on Major Exchanges—XLM Faces Resistance (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/09/03/stellar-upgrade-triggers-trading-pauses-on-major-exchanges-xlm-faces-resistance)