Stellar has announced its upcoming Bell network upgrade, which targets institutional adoption, faster transaction processing, and stronger security against quantum computing threats. The Protocol 30 update introduces new address capabilities and prepares Stellar for future payment demands. Developers and infrastructure providers are rolling out updated software between October 16 and 23, ahead of the November 23 validator vote.
The upgrade introduces three proposals designed to improve Stellar’s commercial capabilities. CAP-84 introduces W-addresses, allowing financial institutions to manage multiple customer balances through a single smart contract. Consequently, fintech platforms could reduce wallet management costs and simplify payment operations.
Additionally, CAP-88 introduces millisecond-based ledger timing, laying groundwork for faster settlement. CAP-87 adds support for post-quantum signatures, strengthening protection for Soroban smart contracts. However, exchanges, wallets, and infrastructure providers must update their software to maintain compatibility with the new protocol.
Stellar’s upgrade could attract businesses exploring tokenized assets and digital payments. Moreover, greater commercial activity could increase network usage and demand for XLM transaction fees.
XLM trades at $0.1801, up 2.35% over 24 hours but down 5.52% over seven days. Its market capitalization stands at approximately $6.34 billion.
