TheDinarian
News • Business • Investing & Finance
Bigger is Better: Why Stellar is the Leader in Cash-to-Crypto On and Off-Ramps
July 26, 2023
post photo preview
At the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), we like to talk about interoperability on the Stellar network; more specifically, the network’s ability to connect the fiat economy to the digital economy so that value can flow between them quickly, affordably, and seamlessly. That’s a value proposition any business likes to hear. As for the end users? They now have options to hold their value in more places than ever, thanks to increased access to previously gated financial services.
 

And while value can stay parked in one place and even grow, whether it be a checking account, digital wallet, or piggy bank, value is only useful if people can actually use it

This is where on and off-ramps come in. Crypto is often touted as democratizing access to financial services for underbanked and unbanked people worldwide, but much of the world – roughly 2 billion workers in the informal economy, or over 60% of the world’s adult labor force – don’t have access to financial services required to easily use these digital assets. To them, they’d prefer cash because they can use cash.

Why do cash-to-crypto on and off-ramps matter?

People living in cash-based economies often don't have access to bank cards or accounts. But having access to cash-to-crypto on and off-ramps enable them to hold digital assets, making it viable for them to access financial services such as P2P payments, cross border payments, and value storage – all use cases that might not be possible in a purely physical financial world where their cash can’t travel globally, 24/7. 

By converting from cash to crypto, people can do more with their cash than they could before. 

But to date, these on and off-ramps have been a largely deprioritized piece of the global financial infrastructure. The potential of crypto and blockchain cannot be fully realized until there are more easy, accessible ways for people to get value both into and out of the digital economy.  

The Stellar network is making this happen, one on and off-ramp at a time.

The state of cash-to-crypto on and off-ramps

To better understand how large a role on and off-ramps play in today’s financial systems, SDF commissioned The Block to conduct data-driven research quantifying cash-to-crypto access worldwide. By leveraging publicly available data and the services of data aggregators, The Block was able to quantify the level of access to cash-to-crypto on and off-ramps, a segment of  blockchain-based financial services, across different blockchains. 

The Block also looked at over 100 third-party service providers (e.g., financial institutions such as MoneyGram International) to determine the number of access points they provide to public blockchains, which blockchains they offer access to, and where they are located. 

So what does the research say? The details are illustrated below:

Stellar network leads cash-to-crypto accessibility in off-ramps and in the total number of global on and off-ramps

Generally, the total number of on-ramps outnumber off-ramps by a large margin. It makes sense; after all, they’re servicing higher demand for people to enter a new emerging industry. There's an appetite to onboard, use crypto, and innovate with blockchain.

However, digital assets don’t possess broader utility in the physical economy in part because the number of off-ramps does not match up with the number of on-ramps (yet). While onramping makes it easy to deposit and store value for future use, being able to extract it for everyday use cases is just as important.

Total on-ramp locations by asset - The Block’s “Quantifying Cash to Crypto Access Worldwide” Report
Total off-ramp locations by asset - The Block’s “Quantifying Cash to Crypto Access Worldwide” Report

The Stellar network far outpaced Bitcoin and other blockchains when it came to the number of off-ramps: a staggering 322,000 [as compared to Bitcoin in second with a distant 98,208 off-ramps]. Due to the extensive Stellar anchor network, financial institutions all across the world are plugging into the digital economy, providing their users an easy path in and out of the digital economy. The role of the first-of-its-kind MoneyGram Access service on Stellar is particularly noteworthy, with the report calling out that MoneyGram is the single largest provider of on and off-ramp access. With the Stellar network’s emphasis on real-world utility, it is vital for the network to close the last-mile for end users as much as possible, whether that be through on and off-ramps or other solutions.

Combining the number of on-ramps with off-ramps, the Stellar network led the pack in terms of the absolute number of cash-to-crypto ramps (475,000+) out of all the blockchains examined in this report. 

The Stellar network fills a critical gap in cash off-ramps globally

The Block Report points to an overall cash-to-crypto ramp accessibility challenge in under-served regions specifically. According to the Report, the cash-to-crypto ramp coverage in Africa, Asia, and South America is highly limited compared to coverage in North America and Europe across practically all assets and blockchain networks

Cash on-ramp providers by continent - The Block’s “Quantifying Cash to Crypto Access Worldwide” Report

This disparity is particularly noticeable with respect to off-ramps. Outside of North America and Europe, people are unable to easily withdraw the value they’ve stored digitally, making digital assets inconvenient for everyday use.

Cash off-ramp providers by continent - The Block’s “Quantifying Cash to Crypto Access Worldwide” Report

However, the Stellar network proves the exception when it comes to off-ramps, and the network is readily filling this gap in the Asian, African, and South American markets. In these under-served regions, the geographical distribution of cash-to-crypto ramps on the Stellar network is far ahead of other networks. 

On-ramps (location)Stellar network2nd largest network
Africa8,300+2,900+
Asia7,000+300+
South America19,000+100+
Off-ramps (location)Stellar network2nd largest network
Africa53,300+17
Asia147,500+90+
South America24,800+90+

The report found that compared to other networks, the Stellar network has a uniquely extensive and globally distributed network of cash-to-crypto on and off-ramps that can be used. It is also a uniquely accessible service, as users don’t need a bank account or credit card to leverage it.

However, there is always opportunity to build on and off-ramps more evenly across geographies. And as long as SDF’s mission remains to create equitable access to the world’s financial systems, we will commit to supporting Stellar’s vibrant ecosystem in building and growing solutions on the network so that more of the unbanked and underbanked around the world can access these on and off-ramps.

Leading the charge in cash-to-crypto on and off-ramps

Trends run rampant in the crypto industry, and while products and services have proliferated to give people the ability to participate in the digital economy, the same can’t be said for making crypto useful for the real world. This report illustrates much of that disparity, with large swathes of the world population unable to translate their digital value into fiat. But where there’s disparity, there’s opportunity.

Let’s talk about a more interconnected world and change how we build. 

For consumers, the breadth of the on and off-ramp services available on the Stellar network means more worldwide access to financial services powered by the blockchain and digital assets. The Stellar network is the leader in on and off-ramps. By choosing Stellar as their blockchain of choice, MoneyGram International built MoneyGram Access™ to provide users in over 180 countries the ability to convert crypto into local currency for instant pickup at participating MoneyGram locations – no bank account needed. 

As for technical solutions, it’s easier than ever to become an anchor on the Stellar network. Through the Stellar Anchor Platform, companies offering financial services, such as on and off-ramps and cross-border payments, can connect their payment services to the Stellar network via one integration of the Stellar Anchor Platform. 

Even with the Stellar network being the global leader in terms of the absolute number of on and off-ramps, there’s still a lot of ground to cover. Join us as we help businesses and builders realize their visions to create a more connected world, where everyone, no matter who they are or where they're from, has the chance to thrive. After all, that's the true utility of Stellar.

Dig into the insights of The Block report here. You can also learn all you need to know about on and off-ramps on the Stellar network here

Link

community logo
Join the TheDinarian Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
0
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Ripple CEO on partnership with BNY to serve as custodian of stablecoin
00:01:12
Brad Garlinghouse In Washington 🚀

It’s time for a fair and open level playing field.

Under Gary Gensler it was quite the opposite.

  • Brad Garlinghouse
    July 9, 2025
00:01:56
More Of The Same...l

🚨 JUST IN: Patriot Tom Fitton, who has been fighting DOJ and FBI to release documents for years, has practically thrown in the towel.

👉 "The justice department and the FBI are irredeemably compromised and corrupted.
The leadership needs to understand that and act accordingly." ~Tom Fitton

00:01:30
👉 Coinbase just launched an AI agent for Crypto Trading

Custom AI assistants that print money in your sleep? 🔜

The future of Crypto x AI is about to go crazy.

👉 Here’s what you need to know:

💠 'Based Agent' enables creation of custom AI agents
💠 Users set up personalized agents in < 3 minutes
💠 Equipped w/ crypto wallet and on-chain functions
💠 Capable of completing trades, swaps, and staking
💠 Integrates with Coinbase’s SDK, OpenAI, & Replit

👉 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 👉txns done by AI agents by 2025

🚨 I personally wouldn't bet against Brian Armstrong and Jesse Pollak.

👉 Coinbase just launched an AI agent for Crypto Trading

🎁 As of July 8th there have been 84 VERI SmartMetal NFT Activations (1.3%). With shipments ramping up, we witness the corresponding jump in activations.

Need help getting started? Check out our knowledge base to get the info you need: https://veridao.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/51000487052-what-are-the-nft-activation-steps

👉Interested in which NFTs have been activated? Check them out here:
https://basescan.org/token/0x4516a5d613c30a36d157d3b579813734cbb929a4

post photo preview

🚨BREAKING: The US House Committee on Financial Services says that next week the House will deliver on President Trump's call to make the US the "crypto capital of the world!

post photo preview
Brinc Launches Web3 Accelerator with Octopus, XDC & IDA

Brinc Launches Web3 Accelerator with Octopus, XDC & IDA to Transform Hong Kong’s Loyalty and Payment Systems.

Read more: https://www.brinc.io/blog/brinc-launches-octopus-backed-web3-accelerator-program-to-revolutionize-hong-kongs-retail-loyalty-and-payment-ecosystem-with-xdc-and-ida-as-key-web3-infrastructure-partners/

🔗 Startups can apply from July 10

📅 Launching Sept 8

Learn more about the Web3 Accelerator program and apply now: https://www.brinc.io/stablecoin-accelerator/

post photo preview
Musk Turns On Starlink to Save Iranians from Regime’s Internet Crackdown

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a visionary behind SpaceX, has flipped the switch on Starlink, delivering internet to Iranians amid a brutal regime crackdown.

This move comes on the heels of Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, as the Islamic Republic cuts off online access.

The former Department of Government Efficiency chief activated Starlink satellite internet service for Iranians on Saturday following the Islamic Republic's decision to impose nationwide internet restrictions.

As the Jerusalem Post reports, that the Islamic Republic’s Communications Ministry announced the move, stating, "In view of the special conditions of the country, temporary restrictions have been imposed on the country’s internet."

This action followed a series of Israeli attacks on Iranian targets.

Starlink, a SpaceX-developed satellite constellation, provides high-speed internet to regions with limited connectivity, such as remote areas or conflict zones.

Elizabeth MacDonald, a Fox News contributor, highlighted its impact, noting, "Elon Musk turning on Starlink for Iran in 2022 was a game changer. Starlink connects directly to SpaceX satellites, bypassing Iran’s ground infrastructure. That means even during government-imposed shutdowns or censorship, users can still get online, and reportedly more than 100,000 inside Iran are doing that."

During the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests, Starlink enabled Iranians to communicate and share footage globally despite network blackouts," she added.

MacDonald also mentioned ongoing tests of "direct-to-cell" capabilities, which could allow smartphone connections without a dish, potentially expanding access and supporting free expression and protest coordination.

Musk confirmed the activation, noting on Saturday, "The beams are on."

This follows the regime’s internet shutdowns, which were triggered by Israeli military actions.

Adding to the tension, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Iranian people on Friday, urging resistance against the regime.

"Israel's fight is not against the Iranian people. Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you,” he said.

Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last monarch, called on military and security forces to abandon the regime, accusing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a Persian-language social media post of forcing Iranians into an unwanted war.

Starlink has been a beacon in other crises. Beyond Iran, Musk has leveraged Starlink to assist people during natural disasters and conflicts.

In the wake of hurricanes and earthquakes, Starlink has provided critical internet access to affected communities, enabling emergency communications and coordination.

Similarly, during the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Musk activated Starlink to support Ukrainian forces and civilians, ensuring they could maintain contact and access vital information under dire circumstances.

The genius entrepreneur, is throwing a lifeline to the oppressed in Iran, and the libs can’t stand it.

Conservative talk show host Mark Levin praised Musk’s action, reposting a message stating that Starlink would "reconnect the Iranian people with the internet and put the final nail in the coffin of the Iranian regime."

"God bless you, Elon. The Starlink beams are on in Iran!" Levin wrote.

Musk, who recently stepped down from leading the DOGE in the Trump administration, has apologized to President Trump for past criticisms, including his stance on the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Source

🙏 Donations Accepted 🙏

If you find value in my content, consider showing your support via:

💳 PayPal: 
1) Simply scan the QR code below 📲
2) or visit https://www.paypal.me/thedinarian

🔗 Crypto – Support via Coinbase Wallet to: [email protected]

Or Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedinarian

Your generosity keeps this mission alive, for all! Namasté 🙏 Crypto Michael ⚡  The Dinarian

Read full Article
post photo preview
GENIUS Act lets State banks conduct some business nationwide. Regulators object

The Senate passed the GENIUS Act for stablecoins last week, but significant work remains before it becomes law. The House has a different bill, the STABLE Act, with notable differences that must be reconciled. State banking regulators have raised strong objections to a provision in the GENIUS Act that would allow state banks to operate nationwide without authorization from host states or a federal regulator.

The controversial clause permits a state bank with a regulated stablecoin subsidiary to provide money transmitter and custodial services in any other state. While host states can impose consumer protection laws, they cannot require the usual authorization and oversight typically needed for out-of-state banking operations.

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors welcomed some changes in the GENIUS Act but remains adamantly opposed to this particular provision. In a statement, CSBS said:

“Critical changes must be made during House consideration of the legislation to prevent unintended consequences and further mitigate financial stability risks. CSBS remains concerned with the dramatic and unsupported expansion of the authority of uninsured banks to conduct money transmission or custody activities nationwide without the approval or oversight of host state supervisors (Sec. 16(d)).”

The National Conference of State Legislatures expressed similar concerns in early June, stating:

“We urge you to oppose Section 16(d) and support state authority to regulate financial services in a manner that reflects local conditions, priorities and risk tolerances. Preserving the dual banking system and respecting state autonomy is essential to the safety, soundness and diversity of our nation’s financial sector.”

Evolution of nationwide authorization

Section 16 addresses several issues beyond stablecoins, including preventing a recurrence of the SEC’s SAB 121, which forced crypto assets held in custody onto balance sheets. However, the nationwide authorization subsection was added after the legislation cleared the Senate Banking Committee, with two significant modifications since then.

Originally, the provision applied only to special bank charters like Wyoming’s Special Purpose Depository Institutions or Connecticut’s Innovation Banks. Examples include crypto-focused Custodia Bank and crypto exchange Kraken in Wyoming, plus traditional finance player Fnality US in Connecticut. Recently the scope was expanded to cover most state chartered banks with stablecoin subsidiaries, possibly due to concerns about competitive advantages.

Simultaneously, the clause was substantially tightened. The initial version allowed state chartered banks to provide money transmission and custody services nationwide for any type of asset, which would include cryptocurrencies. Now these activities can only be conducted by the stablecoin subsidiary, and while Section 16(d) doesn’t explicitly limit services to stablecoins, the GENIUS Act currently restricts issuers to stablecoin related activities.

However, the House STABLE Act takes a more permissive approach, allowing regulators to decide which non-stablecoin activities are permitted. If the House version prevails in reconciliation, it could result in a significant expansion of allowed nationwide banking activities beyond stablecoins.

Is it that bad?

As originally drafted, the clause seemed overly permissive.

The amended clause makes sense for stablecoin issuers. They want to have a single regulator and be able to provide the stablecoin services throughout the United States. But it also leans into the perception outside of crypto that this is just another form of regulatory arbitrage.

The controversy over Section 16(d) reflects concerns about creating a regulatory gap that allows banks to operate interstate without the oversight typically required from either federal or state authorities. As the two Congressional chambers work toward reconciliation, lawmakers must decide whether stablecoin legislation should include provisions that effectively reduce traditional banking oversight requirements.

Source

🙏 Donations Accepted 🙏

If you find value in my content, consider showing your support via:

💳 PayPal: 
1) Simply scan the QR code below 📲
2) or visit https://www.paypal.me/thedinarian

🔗 Crypto – Support via Coinbase Wallet to: [email protected]

Or Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedinarian

Your generosity keeps this mission alive, for all! Namasté 🙏 Crypto Michael ⚡  The Dinarian

Read full Article
post photo preview
Dubai regulator VARA classifies RWA issuance as licensed activity
Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) leads global regulatory framework - makes RWA issuance licensed activity in Dubai.

Real-world assets (RWAs) issuance is now licensed activity in Dubai.

~ Actual law.
~ Not a legal gray zone.
~ Not a whitepaper fantasy.

RWA issuance and listing on secondary markets is defined under binding crypto regulation.

It’s execution by Dubai.

Irina Heaver explained:

“RWA issuance is no longer theoretical. It’s now a regulatory reality.”

VARA defined:

- RWAs are classified as Asset-Referenced Virtual Assets (ARVAs)

- Secondary market trading is permitted under VARA license

- Issuers need capital, audits, and legal disclosures

- Regulated broker-dealers and exchanges can now onboard and trade them

This closes the gap that killed STOs in 2018.

No more tokenization without venues.
No more assets without liquidity.

UAE is doing what Switzerland, Singapore, and Europe still haven’t:

Creating enforceable frameworks for RWA tokenization that actually work.

Matthew White, CEO of VARA, said it perfectly:

“Tokenization will redefine global finance in 2025.”

He’s not exaggerating.

$500B+ market predicted next year.

And the UAE just gave it legal rails.

~Real estate.
~Private credit.
~Shariah-compliant products.

Everything is in play.

This is how you turn hype into infrastructure.

What Dubai is doing now is 3 years ahead of everyone else.

Founders, investors, ecosystem builders:

You want to build real-world assets onchain.

Don’t waste another year waiting for clarity.

Come to Dubai.

It’s already here.

 

Source

🙏 Donations Accepted 🙏

If you find value in my content, consider showing your support via:

💳 PayPal: 
1) Simply scan the QR code below 📲
2) or visit https://www.paypal.me/thedinarian

🔗 Crypto – Support via Coinbase Wallet to: [email protected]

Or Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedinarian

Your generosity keeps this mission alive, for all! Namasté 🙏 Crypto Michael ⚡  The Dinarian

 

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals