Stellar (XLM) stands as a decentralized blockchain platform that is designed to process transactions in a fast, secure, and cost-effective manner. Initially starting out as a fork of the Ripple protocol, Stellar swiftly grew into an autonomous venture, boasting its own distinctive design and objectives.

Overseeing the development and promotion of the Stellar network is the Stellar Development Foundation with a mission to bridge the gaps between individuals, businesses, and financial institutions across the globe, particularly for those who are underserved by conventional banking systems. A remarkable step was taken in January 2023 when the Stellar Development Foundation asserted a claim of US$13 million against Genesis.

Unlike numerous other blockchain networks, Stellar distances itself from energy-intensive mining operations. Instead, it harnesses the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), a federated consensus mechanism, to authenticate and validate transactions. This consensus protocol enhances Stellar's efficiency and ecological friendliness, aligning harmoniously with its vision to provide accessible and effective financial services to all.

Whitepaper: https://www.stellar.org/papers/stellar-consensus-protocol

Official website: https://www.stellar.org/

- Consensus Mechanism: Stellar operates on a federated Byzantine agreement system called the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP). This consensus mechanism enables nodes (Stellar validators) to agree on the validity of transactions in a decentralized manner. The process involves a series of voting rounds until a consensus is reached, allowing for secure and fast transaction settlements.

- Anchors and Issued Assets: Stellar's architecture allows the representation of various assets on the network. These assets can include cryptocurrencies, fiat currencies, commodities, or even custom tokens. To bring external assets onto the Stellar network, entities known as "anchors" act as trusted intermediaries. Anchors facilitate the deposit and withdrawal of assets on and off the network, enabling seamless integration between the traditional financial system and the Stellar blockchain.

- Decentralized Exchange (DEX): Users can trade various assets directly on the Stellar network, thanks to the platform's native decentralized exchange capabilities. This feature increases liquidity and enhances the efficiency of asset conversion, making it convenient for users to exchange one asset for another without relying on external exchanges.

- Smart Contracts and Custom Tokens: While Stellar is not primarily known for complex smart contracts like Ethereum, it does offer simple, programmable features that can be used to execute specific operations automatically. Additionally, Stellar supports the creation of custom tokens, which allows users to issue their own digital assets on the network. These custom tokens can represent anything from loyalty points to securities, expanding the platform's utility and potential use cases.

The Stellar network's native cryptocurrency is called XLM (Stellar Lumens). XLM plays a crucial role in the Stellar ecosystem, serving as a bridge currency to facilitate asset exchanges and cross-border transactions.

Primary Functions of XLM:

- Transaction Fees: XLM is used to pay for transaction fees on the Stellar network. When users perform operations like sending payments or trading assets, a small amount of XLM is burned (removed from circulation) as a fee for using the network.

- Anti-Spam Measure: The nominal transaction fees in XLM serve as an anti-spam mechanism to prevent the network from being flooded with unnecessary or malicious transactions.

- Liquidity Bridge: XLM acts as a liquidity bridge between different assets on the Stellar network. When trading one asset for another, XLM can serve as an intermediary, making asset conversions more seamless.

- Stellar Community Incentives: In the early days of Stellar, XLM was distributed through various programs and partnerships to bootstrap the network and create a thriving community of users and developers.

The Stellar (XLM) price today is influenced by a myriad of internal and external factors that interact in complex ways. One of the primary internal factors is Stellar's utility in facilitating low-cost, cross-border transactions. The Stellar network uses its native digital currency, Lumens (XLM), to act as a bridge for quick and efficient currency exchange, thereby affecting the current Stellar value.

Thanks to the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), the network offers high speed and low transaction fees, setting it apart from other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. As of September 2023, the Stellar market cap is currently around $3.3 billion. This reflects its utility and adoption, factors that in turn directly impact the Stellar coin value and its price history.

External factors also play a significant role in determining the Stellar cryptocurrency price. Market sentiment, often gauged through Stellar price analysis and Stellar price prediction models, can drive fluctuations in the Stellar trading price. Partnerships with financial institutions and other organizations can significantly influence the Stellar XLM price forecast. For instance, Stellar's collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) has made waves in the industry.

Additionally, macroeconomic trends affecting the cryptocurrency market at large—such as regulatory news or significant price changes in other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin—can impact the Stellar real-time price. Investors often consult the Stellar price chart and Stellar price history to make informed decisions. They keep an eye on Stellar price trends and Stellar 2023 price prediction models to gauge Stellar's future performance.

In conclusion, Stellar's decentralized blockchain platform, driven by the Stellar Consensus Protocol, ensures fast, affordable transactions without energy-intensive mining. With its focus on financial inclusion and XLM as a bridge currency, Stellar has the potential to revolutionize the financial landscape, fostering global accessibility and liquidity.

It's important to note that like any other cryptocurrencies, Stellar carries its own risks and it's always wise to do your own research and exercise caution while investing.