Stellar (XLM) has surged while XRP remains stagnant near $1.13, according to U.Today. Since May 2026, Stellar’s price has soared, contrasting with XRP’s decline amid shifts in asset tokenization strategies.
What happened
The divergence between XRP and Stellar’s performance stems from a recent announcement by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) about asset tokenization on the Stellar blockchain in early 2027. This marks a significant shift in market dynamics, diminishing the previously synchronized price movements of the two cryptocurrencies.
According to RWA.xyz, Stellar has taken the lead in real-world asset (RWA) markets with a distributed asset value of $2.83 billion, reflecting a 21.62% increase over the previous 30 days. In comparison, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) has a much lower value of $360.32 million, down 10.83% during the same timeframe.
“XLM has gained about 49.44% since the end of May,” said a market analyst, while XRP has seen a decline of 15.78%.
Why it matters
The contrasting fortunes of Stellar and XRP highlight a crucial change in the crypto asset landscape. Stellar’s growth in the RWA domain indicates increased investor interest, while XRP struggles to maintain its footing. The ability to tokenize assets could determine future market leaders in the crypto sector.
The current trends suggest that if Stellar continues to outperform XRP, it may capture a larger share of investment and developer interest, further entrenching its position in the market.
Background
On May 20, 2026, the price relationship between Stellar and XRP was tightly correlated. At that time, both cryptocurrencies showed similar upward trends. However, following the DTCC announcement, Stellar began a significant upward trajectory, while XRP faced downward pressure.
May 27, 2026, marked a turning point, with Stellar’s asset performance metrics breaking away from XRP, signaling a potential shift in investor sentiment.
What’s next
Attention will focus on developments in RWA tokenization scheduled for the first half of 2027. If Stellar’s momentum continues, XRP may need to adapt quickly to maintain its position in the crypto marketplace.
