XLM Price Prediction: Stellar Breaks $0.40 as Smart Contract Upgrade Fuels Bullish Momentum

Stellar (XLM)

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Key Takeaways

  • XLM rallied 25% to $0.40, outperforming top altcoins amid Bitcoin’s ATH surge.
  • Protocol 23 upgrade, slated for August 14, promises transformative improvements to Stellar’s smart contract capabilities.
  • Price targets between $0.45–$0.50 appear within reach if bullish momentum continues.

Stellar (XLM) stole the spotlight on Friday, July 11, rallying 25% to reclaim the $0.40 price level for the first time since Q1 2025. This significant upward move outpaced gains across the crypto market, even as Bitcoin (BTC) soared to a new all-time high above $118,000. With critical protocol upgrades on the horizon, Stellar appears primed for continued growth.

Protocol 23 Upgrade Ignites Investor Interest

The upcoming Protocol 23 upgrade, scheduled for a validator vote on August 14, 2025, is central to XLM’s recent bullish momentum. The upgrade introduces major enhancements to Soroban, Stellar’s smart contract engine, improving transaction speed and reducing costs.

Key changes include:

  • Live state prioritization (CAP-0062): Separates archived and active states for faster access.
  • Parallel transaction execution (CAP-0063): Enables concurrent processing, increasing throughput.
  • Reusable module cache and new host functions: Reduce operational costs and boost efficiency.

Investors are responding positively, anticipating that these improvements will enhance Stellar’s utility for decentralized applications and institutional adoption.

Technical Indicators Confirm Bullish Breakout

The technical landscape also supports the bullish outlook. XLM/USD surged above the upper Bollinger Band at $0.319, marking a high-volatility breakout. This follows weeks of tightening Bollinger Bands, suggesting that the current price expansion could sustain momentum.

Meanwhile, the MACD histogram is firmly bullish, with both the signal and base lines showing upward alignment. These indicators strengthen the case for a continued rally as XLM consolidates above key levels.

Price Targets: Bulls Eye $0.45–$0.50 Zone

Following Friday’s breakout, the next major resistance lies between $0.45 and $0.50—a zone last tested during February’s failed rally. Should bulls maintain support above $0.37, analysts suggest that a push toward $0.48 is realistic before the Protocol 23 vote.

Also Read: Stellar (XLM) Price Surges 31% in July—Is a Break Above $0.30 Next?

However, if short-term traders take profit, initial support is expected around the $0.32–$0.30 range, bolstered by the mid-Bollinger Band.

With Bitcoin’s bull run energizing the broader crypto market and Stellar’s Protocol 23 upgrade nearing, XLM is at the center of investor attention. Momentum indicators and network fundamentals both point to further upside, especially if bulls defend key support levels.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.