Stellar Lumens advances IBM’s vision of a unified global payments system
- The new IBM payment method uses Stellar Lumens for real-time international transactions in 72 countries.
- Banks that use Stellar Lumens reduce costs, speed up processing and thereby optimize their international financial transfers.
IBM has launched a global payments platform based on the Stellar network, making significant progress in cross-border financial transfers. Stellar Lumens (XLM) acts as a bridge that enables the instant exchange of stablecoins and regular money, facilitating payments in 72 countries with 47 currencies.
IBM × Stellar: Rewiring the global banking system
72 countries. 47 currencies. 44 banks.
Here’s how it all startedIBM × Stellar (World Wire) — The Origin
In 2018, @IBM and the Stellar Development Foundation (@StellarOrg) launched IBM World Wire —
a real-time settlement… https://t.co/BfLKuVAzRk pic.twitter.com/wq24Kfjpx1— Marco H
(@MarcoSalzmann80) October 26, 2025
The infrastructure powered by Stellar does not require traditional correspondent banks, reducing costs and speeding up settlement. It connects Financial institutions directly with each other and makes global payments more efficient. IBM is working to update banking processes and increase the efficiency of international transactions while maintaining applicable security standards.
World Wireoriginally launched in 2018 by IBM and the Stellar Development Foundation, formed the basis for this network. It connected 44 banks in 72 countries and supported 47 currencies. The program offered real-time settlement for digital assets and demonstrated how blockchain can transform the way money moves across borders.
Stellar works in real time
Stellar Lumens ($XLM) acts as a central bridge between various fiat-backed stablecoins, helping banks exchange USD to XLM and then to EUR within seconds. Because of its ISO 20022 compatibility and energy-efficient design, IBM chose to build a global payments network that grows easily while remaining compliant with regulatory requirements.
The platform is constantly evolving as IBM uses Stellar technology to test central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and make systems interoperate with ISO 20022 standards. Banks are using the Stellar framework to accelerate modernization and prove that blockchain can process large-scale, real-time payments without relying on slow, traditional banking networks.
IBM Blockchain Vice President Jesse Lund says:
“SDF and Stellar aim to unlock the world’s economic potential by making money more fluid, markets more open and people more empowered. As you can see, IBM’s ambitions for World Wire align perfectly with our mission.”
IBM accelerates payments through blockchain integration
By combining Stellar Lumens (XLM) with Hedera (HBAR) for governance and acquisition, IBM accelerates modernization from decades to months. The platform helps banks transfer money quickly and seamlessly, with instant settlement and less friction, transforming the way global payments work for high-value cross-border transactions.
Analysts predict that Stellar’s integration with World Wire could boost trading activity. Banks can now benefit from a secure, energy-efficient system that allows them to process international payments quickly. The clarity and efficiency offered by the system could encourage mainstream adoption of tokenized financial payments.
IBM’s Stellar-based solution signals a broader shift in global banking. It uses real-time payments, ISO compliance and stablecoin support to transform old processes. World Wire helps financial institutions manage international settlements faster and provides a clear template for blockchain-based systems worldwide.
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