Stellar was recently picked up by IBM for payments in emerging markets. This happened last month, but articles are still coming out as traders and cryptophites analyze the impact this will have on Stellar Lumens long-term. Here’s a quote from Stellar founder Jed McCaleb on the deal with IBM:“This new innovation and collaboration represents a significant milestone for Stellar as well as the financial technology industry as a whole. For the first time, public blockchain technology is being used in production to facilitate cross-border payments in multiple integrated currency corridors. Currently, cross-border payments take up to several days to clear. This new implementation is poised to affect a profound change in the South Pacific region, and once fully scaled by IBM and its banking partners, could potentially change the way money is moved around the world, helping to improve existing international transactions and advancing financial inclusion in developing nations.”
Currently, Stellar Lumens will be the transactional cryptocurrency for this aspect of IBM’s blockchain, but there is word that, in a year, IBM may no-longer use Stellar Lumens. That said, none can argue that this partnership will have a HUGE impact on Stellar’s outlook and visibility.
https://briandcolwell.com/2017/09/stellar-lumens-connecting-banks-payment-systems-and-people/.html