Stellar.

Stellar employs the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), a form of Federated Byzantine Agreement (FBA). Unlike Proof-of-Work (PoW) or Proof-of-Stake (PoS) systems, SCP achieves consensus through a network of trusted nodes (quorum slices), enabling high transaction throughput, low latency, and energy efficiency. This architecture prioritizes speed and low transaction costs, making it particularly suitable for financial applications. The network also features built-in capabilities for multi-signature accounts, atomic swaps, and simple token issuance, allowing various assets to be digitized and traded on the blockchain. The primary utility of Stellar, and its native asset XLM, is to facilitate the efficient exchange of value between different currencies and assets, serving as an intermediary bridge for international payments and remittances. It enables financial institutions and individuals to issue digital representations of any asset (fiat currencies, stablecoins, real estate, etc.) on its blockchain and ensures fast, low-cost transfers between them. XLM specifically acts as an anti-spam mechanism by requiring a minimum balance and covering transaction fees, and can also function as a bridge currency for illiquid asset pairs. Stellar's overarching goal is to connect diverse financial systems and create a more inclusive global economy, appealing to both enterprise clients and individual users. Stellar holds a significant position within the payment-focused blockchain sector, often compared to Ripple (XRP) due to its similar objectives. It has forged key partnerships with financial institutions and technology companies globally, focusing on real-world use cases such as cross-border payments, micro-payments, stablecoin issuance, and exploring opportunities in central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Its open-source nature and the support from the non-profit Stellar Development Foundation distinguish its approach, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for various fintech innovations and financial applications.