Stellar launched in 2015 as a new and quirky alternative to storing and moving money. The protocol links people, banks, and other financial institutions with the intention of reducing transaction costs and time lags between transfers. Its native token Lumens (XLM) is used as an intermediary between different fiat currencies. For example, the protocol can convert deposits into XLM, then convert XLM into the requested currency. As with many other crypto projects, Stellar also seeks to bring its technology to developing communities that either feel the burden of traditional banking or are unable to access it at all.