(đ„Dinarian Note: I included the full article from "The Economist" Get Ready for the Phoenix Source: Economist; 01/9/88, Vol. 306, pp 9-1 for your reading pleasure đ„)
In 1988, the cover of The Economist was titled âGet ready for a world currencyâ. The magazine cover showed a phoenix rising from the ashes of burning US currency.
âThirty Years from now, Americans, Japanese, Europeans and people in many other rich countries âŠwill be paying for their shopping with the same currencyâ
The author continues to suggest a single unified currency that would ease the challenges and difficulties of international financial transactions.
The author also mentions a world connected like never before. Instead of the Yuan, Dollar, or Euro, this new form of currency, a âphoenix coinâ would dominate. This new coin would replace the existing financial system and there would be no need for expensive international currencies or cumbersome money wires. Everyone would be using the same coin/currency.
Now just over 30 years later, this âpredictionâ is now becoming a reality.
Itâs important to realize this article was written during the early days of the internet and well before the world had ever heard of Bitcoin or cryptocurrency â Bitcoin only came into existence during the 2008 financial crisis.
Of notable mentioned is Stellar (XML), whose logo is eerily similar to the logo on the coin of the Pheonix (see below):
While I wonât get into the implications of what this means, such as this new financial system planned at least 33 years in advance, what is of more importance to the investor, is the investment opportunities this new financial system will bring.
What is Stellar (XLM)?
In case you havenât heard of Steller, it is one of the few IS0 20022 compliant cryptocurrencies which will be part of this new financial system. Stellar is a peer-to-peer (P2P) decentralized network with the purpose of connecting the worldâs financial systems and ensuring a fast and transparent protocol for payment providers and financial institutions.
Here is a List of the ISO 20022 compliant cryptocurrencies.
Â
The ISO 20022 standard are the rules and language for cross-border and international payments. Itâs the mechanism to connect financial institutions and central banks. However, for this new financial system to be implemented, central banks must also move towards a new âdigital currencyâ (with the help of the blockchain).
CBDCs in Development â Worldwide.
The last piece of this puzzle are Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). A CBDC is a new type of central bank currency that harnesses the power of the blockchain to create a digital currency.
With the standard for international payments (ISO 20022) being implemented in November, Central banks will now have the standards in place for cross-border international payments for their digital currency.
The move to CBDCs is expected to be a step toward replacing the current fiat-based currency and most all countries which have a central bank are already underway towards developing their own CBDC.
China is leading the pack and already has a pilot program in place!
New Global Reserve Currency
The creation of CBDCs will also allow alliances like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa) to create their own âalliance currencyâ, with Russia recently reporting with the help of BRICS, will be creating their own New Global Reserve Currency.
While the ushering in of a new digital currency wonât happen overnight, November marks the beginning of the implementation of the ISO 20022 Standard â notice the year 2022 embedded in the name of the standard.
Even the recently appointed new prime minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak is already publically supporting this new initiative.
A New Financial System is Already Here
Blockchain technology is allowing for the heralding of an entirely new financial system. New cross border payment protocols like ISO 20022 and the creation of Central Bank Digital Currencies is bringing an entirely new financial system to the world.
Whether the 1988 edition of The Economist was prophetic or planned we may never know, but what is certain in we are now living in a new digital financial age.
Have you noticed a Personality Change in those who took the experimental Covid Vaccines?
If so, hereâs the theory as to why this has happened, and it makes perfect sense as to why the elites would do this. THEY do not want you to be able to step into your power. With this destroyed, THEY win.
Stargate: Establishing the Physical Foundations of the AI Revolution đ°ïžđ
The Stargate initiative represents the most substantial investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure to date, as it begins to materialize on a global scale. While many perceive AI as an ethereal technologyâsimply accessed via applications like ChatGPT đ€âeach digital interaction is, in fact, powered by extensive physical resources: vast data centers đą, thousands of cutting-edge GPUs đŸ, sophisticated cooling systems đ§, dedicated power grids âĄ, and essential water pipelines đ°. AI does not reside on personal devices; it is anchored on Earth and demands significant resources.
As artificial intelligence continues to advance, its infrastructure needs only intensify. Regardless of improvements in model efficiency, the explosive growth in usageâbillions of queries, ongoing model training, and worldwide deploymentânecessitates ever-greater computing power, land, electricity, and semiconductors. This expansion is not plateauing; it is accelerating đ.
đŠđȘ The United Arab Emirates has taken a decisive step that the United States has been reluctant to pursue.
đ âWithin the next two years, cryptocurrency will be used more frequently than traditional currencies like the dollar or dirham, even for everyday purchases such as coffee and groceries.â đŠâđ
It is worth noting which cryptocurrencies offer transaction fees that are virtually negligible. đ
The official further stated: âMark my words, I believe in actions, not just words.â
đ Coinbase just launched an AI agent for Crypto Trading
Custom AI assistants that print money in your sleep? đ
The future of Crypto x AI is about to go crazy.
đ Hereâs what you need to know:
đ 'Based Agent' enables creation of custom AI agents
đ Users set up personalized agents in < 3 minutes
đ Equipped w/ crypto wallet and on-chain functions
đ Capable of completing trades, swaps, and staking
đ Integrates with Coinbaseâs SDK, OpenAI, & Replit
đ What this means for the future of Crypto:
1. Open Access: Democratized access to advanced trading
2. Automated Txns: Complex trades + streamlined on-chain activity
3. AI Dominance: Est ~80% of crypto đtxns done by AI agents by 2025
đš I personally wouldn't bet against Brian Armstrong and Jesse Pollak.
đ Coinbase just launched an AI agent for Crypto Trading
đ Coinbase just launched an AI agent for Crypto Trading
What would happen if Veritaseum was "Resurrected" from the Land of Dead Cryptos? Would Clif High's prediction of Veri trading 1 to 1 with Bitcoin actually come TRUE?! We may just find out SOONER than you think!!
The Motion to Vacate the SEC case against @ReggieMiddleton was filed on Friday May 30th, 2025 and contains NEW EVIDENCE clearly illustrating the alleged Fraud Upon the Court by SEC attorney Jorge Tenreiro.
Itâs Reggieâs time to shine and this is going to be Epic!
Watch for a Video and further X posts breaking down this New Evidence.
Stellar's Ecosystem Surges Forward: Smart Contracts, Lightning Speed, and Real-World Impact in 2025
The Stellar blockchain ecosystem is experiencing remarkable momentum in 2025, with groundbreaking technical achievements and expanding real-world adoption that position it as a major player in the decentralized finance landscape. From lightning-fast transaction speeds to innovative smart contract capabilities, Stellar is demonstrating that blockchain technology can deliver both performance and practical utility.
Technical Breakthroughs Drive Performance
The Stellar Development Foundation's Q1 2025 quarterly report reveals impressive technical milestones that showcase the network's maturation. The platform now processes an astounding 5,000 transactions per second with remarkably fast 2.5-second block times, putting it among the fastest blockchain networks in operation today.
This performance leap isn't just about raw numbersâit represents Stellar's commitment to creating infrastructure that can handle real-world demand. Whether it's cross-border payments, asset tokenization, or decentralized applications, the network's enhanced capabilities provide the foundation for scalable blockchain solutions.
Smart Contracts Get Smarter with Soroban
One of the most significant developments has been the launch and continued evolution of Soroban, Stellar's smart contract platform. The introduction of Contract Copilot represents a major advancement in developer experience, enabling faster and safer smart contract development through enhanced tooling and guidance.
This focus on developer experience is crucial for ecosystem growth. By lowering barriers to entry and improving the development process, Stellar is positioning itself to attract innovative projects and talented developers who might otherwise choose competing platforms.
New Token Standards Meet Market Needs
The Stellar Development Foundation has introduced new token standards developed specifically based on feedback from developers and institutional users. This responsive approach to platform development demonstrates Stellar's commitment to building technology that meets actual market needs rather than theoretical requirements.
These standards are particularly important as institutional adoption continues to grow, with organizations requiring robust, compliant, and flexible token frameworks for their blockchain initiatives.
Global USDC Integration Expands Utility
The integration of USDC across Stellar's global network represents a significant milestone for practical cryptocurrency adoption. Stablecoins like USDC provide the price stability necessary for everyday transactions and business operations, making them crucial for blockchain platforms seeking real-world utility.
This integration is particularly impactful in emerging markets, where access to stable digital currencies can provide financial services to underbanked populations and facilitate more efficient cross-border transactions.
Industry Events Build Community Momentum
The Stellar ecosystem's growing influence is evident in its presence at major industry events. The foundation's participation as a sponsor at Consensus 2025 in Toronto and Digital Assets Week in New York demonstrates its commitment to engaging with builders, investors, and institutional leaders across the blockchain space.
These events serve as crucial networking opportunities and platforms for showcasing innovative projects within the Stellar ecosystem. Recent Meridian events have highlighted creative projects like Skyhitz and HoneyCoin, illustrating the collaborative spirit and diverse applications being built on the platform.
Real-World Impact in Emerging Markets
Perhaps most importantly, Stellar's growth isn't just about technical metricsâit's about real-world impact. The platform's focus on emerging markets addresses genuine financial inclusion challenges, providing efficient payment rails and access to digital financial services where traditional banking infrastructure may be limited.
This practical approach to blockchain implementation sets Stellar apart from projects that focus primarily on speculative trading or theoretical use cases. By solving actual problems for real users, Stellar is building sustainable demand for its technology.
Looking Ahead: Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure
Stellar positions itself as offering enterprise-grade asset tokenization alongside its DeFi capabilities and payment infrastructure. This comprehensive approach makes it attractive to institutions looking for a single platform that can handle multiple blockchain use cases.
The combination of fast transactions, low costs, smart contract capabilities, and regulatory-conscious development creates a compelling value proposition for enterprises considering blockchain adoption.
The Road Forward
As 2025 progresses, Stellar's ecosystem appears well-positioned for continued growth. The technical infrastructure improvements, developer-focused enhancements, and real-world adoption initiatives create a strong foundation for expanding use cases and user adoption.
The blockchain industry has seen many projects promise revolutionary capabilities, but Stellar's focus on delivering measurable performance improvements and practical solutions suggests a mature approach to blockchain development. With transaction speeds that rival traditional payment systems and growing institutional adoption, Stellar is demonstrating that blockchain technology can move beyond experimental phases into mainstream utility.
For developers, institutions, and users looking for blockchain solutions that prioritize both performance and practical applicability, Stellar's 2025 developments represent significant progress toward a more accessible and useful decentralized financial ecosystem.
Source: The Dinarian ⥠Claude AI
đ Donations Accepted đ
If you find value in my content, consider showing your support via:
Soroban Security Audit Bank: Raising the Standard for Smart Contract Security
The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is deeply committed to helping ensure that the highest security standards are available for projects building on the Stellar network. Last year SDF launched the Soroban Security Audit Bank, an initiative to provide projects access to auditing experts and tooling that are proven to help prevent hacks by catching potential bugs, inefficiencies, and security flaws before contracts go live. Through the Soroban Security Audit Bank, weâre empowering teams building on Soroban with comprehensive security audits from leading audit firms, enhanced readiness support, and robust tooling, significantly elevating the ecosystemâs safety and efficiency.
Since launch, the Soroban Security Audit Bank has successfully conducted over 40 essential audits, deploying over $3 million to support security of the smart contracts on Stellar. Check it out!
Â
Ecosystem Success Stories: How the Soroban Audit Bank Drives Security Forward
By making automated formal verification available to developers, in addition to allocating significant budget for securing many of the top DeFi protocols built on top of Stellar, SDF has established a new security standard in the Web3 ecosystem. âMooly Sagiv, Co-Founder of Certora
SDF has been a strong partner as weâve worked with teams across the Stellar ecosystem. SDFâs Audit Bank initiative allows for a smooth and streamlined review process, and is a clear reflection of the Stellar ecosystemâs enhanced commitment to security. âRobert Chen, CEO of OtterSec
Â
Leading projects within the Soroban ecosystem have highlighted the impact of the Audit Bank
Finding a good auditor is difficult, expensive, and high-stakes. The Audit Bank streamlines the process and supports ecosystem projects with security review at critical growth milestones. âMarkus Paulson, Co-Founder of Script3
The audit firms we worked with deeply understood the full ecosystem and the underlying protocols used. Their expertise and the tools from the Audit Bank strengthened our security and supported user and investor trust. âEsteban Iglesias ManrĂquez, Co-Founder of Palta.Labs
What's New in 2025: Enhanced Audit Support for Soroban Builders
Teams building financial protocols, high-dependency data services, high-traction dApps funded by the Stellar Community Fund are able to request an audit and will typically be matched with a reputable audit firm within two weeks. We recently restructured the program for this year to enhance audit efficiency and incentivize accountability, and rapid and complete vulnerability remediation:
Complimentary Initial Audit: Projects will need to contribute 5% of the audit cost upfront, but this co-payment amount is eligible for a full refund, provided that critical, high, and medium vulnerabilities identified are swiftly remediated within 20 business days of receiving the initial audit report (learn more).
Incentivized Security at Key Traction Milestones: Complimentary, extensive follow-up audits are available as projects achieve critical traction milestones (e.g., $10M and $100M TVL). These audits include deeper assessments such as formal verification or competitive audits, significantly boosting project security at pivotal stages.
Advanced Security Tooling: Projects can enhance their security self-serve through complimentary or discounted access to specialized tooling, which provide vulnerability detection and formal verification capabilities (see full list of available tooling). These tools are encouraged to capture âeasy-to-spotâ issues prior to audit as well as a final check post-audit to increase the effectiveness and thoroughness of audits.
Enhanced Audit Readiness Support: Projects receive structured preparation support, including the implementation of best practices and security standards based on the STRIDE threat modeling framework. This ensures project teams are thoroughly prepared, optimizing audit efficiency and minimizing delays.
Get Started Today
If you're already funded through the Stellar Community Fund, meet the criteria and ready to secure your smart contracts, check your email for an invitation to submit an audit requestâif you havenât received one, contact [email protected].
If you haven't built on Stellar yet, we encourage you to start your journey with the Stellar Community Fund to become eligible for future security audits and ecosystem support. For any broader questions on the program, contact [email protected].
Also, weâre organizing an exciting series of workshopsâjoin us for the kick-off on Soroban Security Best Practices on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 2 PM ET on @StellarOrg. Together, we're shaping a secure and resilient future for smart contracts on Stellar.
Bloomberg reported that Banco Santander is mulling introducing euro and dollar stablecoins, or potentially making a third party coin available to clients, citing sources. This move aligns with broader crypto ambitions, as its digital bank, Openbank, has reportedly applied for a European cryptocurrency license under the Mica Regulations and may enable retail access to digital assets.
Systemically important banks embrace stablecoins?
Major banks are now moving from observers to participants in this expanding market. Should Santander confirm plans to launch a stablecoin, it will be the fourth global systemically important bank (G-SIB) to do so. Societe Generaleâs FORGE subsidiary launched the EURCV euro coin in 2023. Deutsche Bank is a partner in ALLUnity, another stablecoin initiative with plans to launch this year, subject to regulatory approval. And Standard Chartered is part of a joint venture in Hong Kong that intends to introduce a stablecoin.
Santanderâs involvement could extend beyond an individual initiative. The bank is a shareholder in The Clearing House, where the Wall Street Journal reported that US banks are exploring the potential to create a joint stablecoin. If a US initiative took that route it could involve nine more G-SIBs including Bank of America, Barclays, BMO, BNY Mellon, Citi, HSBC, JP Morgan, TD Bank and Wells Fargo.
Apart from these initiatives, our research shows that more than 20 other banks have been involved in stablecoin projects.
Until recently stablecoins were mainly used to settle cryptocurrency transactions and by residents in countries with volatile domestic currencies. During the last year stablecoin infrastructure has been expanding, especially for mainstream cross border payments. Plus, President Trump issued an executive order prioritizing stablecoins. One of the administrationâs motivations is this increases demand for US Treasuries, lowering the interest rate the government pays on the Treasury bills.
Santander as an early digital assets mover
Santanderâs stablecoin consideration builds on years of blockchain experience. The bank was an early Ripple investor and previously used Rippleâs permissioned network for payments (not XRP), while also embracing permissionless blockchain activities including issuing a digital bond on Ethereum in 2019. This dual approach led to collaborations with other major players â alongside Societe Generale FORGE and Goldman Sachs, Santander participated in the European Investment Bankâs first digital bond, also on Ethereum. Currently, the bankâs most significant digital money initiative involves Fnality, the wholesale blockchain-based settlement network, where Santander ranks among 20 institutional backers and is part of the early adopter group alongside Lloyds Bank and UBS.
Sign Up for free to see more from this community or subscribe to TheDinarian for $5/month to support TheDinarian for more interaction and exclusive content.
Welcome to the Dinarian on Locals, where we discuss everything blockchain and digital asset related. We are here to learn from one another as this is a new and ever evolving space. Please post and share what you like, but be respectful to others as they are here to learn as well.
Knowledge is power, using that knowledge can be extremely powerful,
The Dinarian
