How To Buy Stellar Lumens (XLM)

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Contributor, Benzinga
December 13, 2022

The Stellar network is an open-source, blockchain-based distributed ledger focused on storing and transferring money across currency values while reducing fees. The Stellar network’s primary goal is to connect banks, payment systems and customers with faster speeds and without many of the standard transfer fees that must be paid when you transfer money using the traditional banking system. Read on to learn how to buy Stellar Lumens.

Stellar’s native cryptocurrency is referred to as “lumens,” though many traders and investors use the terms “Stellar,” “lumens” and its ticker “XLM” interchangeably when referring to the cryptocurrency.

If you’re interested in expanding your crypto holdings beyond major projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum, investing in Stellar might be right for you. Our guide will show you how to open a cryptocurrency trading account, make your coin purchase and store your coins securely. We’ll also introduce you to a few of our favorite cryptocurrency trading platforms and wallets to help you get started investing today. 

Disclosure: eToro supports the following currencies: BTC, ADA, DASH, DOGE, EOS, ETH, LTC, NEO, XLM, XTZ, TRX, ZEC. eToro USA LLC; Investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. T&Cs apply. *The bonus is available to Benzinga readers in the US for open states only. Served by eToro USA LLC.

Want to jump straight to how to buy Stellar Lumens? You can buy XLM on Crypto.com and eToro!

How to Buy Stellar Lumens

  1. Open an online account.

    In order to invest in altcoins like Stellar Lumens, you'll need to open an account with a cryptocurrency trading platform that supports the digital asset. A cryptocurrency broker is similar to a stockbroker –– your broker is responsible for buying and selling coins on your behalf per your instructions. Some platforms, like Crypto.com and eToro, are cryptocurrency exchanges, letting you buy and sell digital assets directly through the market.

    There are 2 major types of cryptocurrency brokers: those that offer access only to cryptocurrencies and those that combine cryptocurrency market access with the ability to buy and sell other types of assets as well. Brokers that specialize in cryptocurrency markets only tend to offer access to more coins and tokens than brokers that combine crypto access with stock and forex trading. Brokers that offer access to multiple markets can provide you with a single source for all of your investing needs.

    The best platform for you will vary depending on the assets you need access to, the coins and tokens you want to purchase and more. The best platforms for XLM in particular are Crypto.com and eToro.

  2. Buy a wallet.

    After you open a brokerage account, you should purchase a cold storage wallet if you plan on holding your coins long-term. A cold storage wallet is a physical device that stores your coins using a private key offline. Cold storage wallets are more secure than hot storage solutions, which are wallets that need to be connected to the internet in order to view your coins and manage your account.

    We recommend holding your coins in a cold storage wallet that’s compatible with the Stellar network to avoid the risks of hacks and theft.

  3. Make Your Purchase.

    Once your account is opened and your wallet has been set up, it’s time to place your buy order through your brokerage account. A buy order is a set of instructions that tells your broker which cryptocurrency you’re buying, how many coins you’re buying and sometimes the price that the order should be executed at. Most cryptocurrency brokers offer a range of order types to give you more control over the price you pay per coin.

    After your order has been placed, you can sit back and relax — your broker will take care of filling the order following your instructions. When the order is complete, you’ll see your coins in your trading account. If your order cannot be filled, your broker will usually cancel it by the end of the day.

Best Crypto Brokers For Stellar (XLM)

Since Stellar Lumens is such a large project, it's listed on a fair amount of exchanges and brokerages. Picking the right trading platform is the 1st step in your journey as a cryptocurrency investor. While many platforms offer great services, U.S based exchanges offer some of the best security and customer service out there. The top 2 exchanges that support Stellar Lumens are Crypto.com and eToro. Crypto.com is one of the largest exchanges in the world and offers a wide variety of different cryptos including Stellar Lumens.

Another great option is eToro. eToro offers plenty of altcoins, including Stellar Lumens. A great feature on eToro is CopyTrader, which allows investors to copy the trades of more experienced investors. While it's never a good idea to blindly follow someone else's trades, this feature can be helpful for generating trade ideas.

  • Coinbase
    Best For:
    Active Crypto Traders
    securely through Coinbase's website

    Sum of median estimated savings and rewards earned, per user in 2021 across multiple Coinbase programs (excluding sweepstakes). This amount includes fee waivers from Coinbase One (excluding the subscription cost), rewards from Coinbase Card, and staking rewards. ³Crypto rewards is an optional Coinbase offer. Upon purchase of USDC, you will be automatically opted in to rewards. If you’d like to opt out or learn more about rewards, you can click here. The rewards rate is subject to change and can vary by region. Customers will be able to see the latest applicable rates directly within their accounts.

  • eToro
    Best For:
    Social Investing
    securely through eToro's website

    Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk

    Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more

Best Crypto Wallets

Now that you know how to buy Stellar Lumens you need a good place to store it. Explore a few of our favorite cold storage solutions below.  Hardware wallets are physical devices that store access to your cryptocurrency on an external device. This device stays offline, ensuring the safety of your digital assets. If you're looking for the best cryptocurrency wallets on the market, check out the Trezor lineup.

Trezor
Best For
  • Crypto enthusiasts
securely through Trezor's website

Best for Quick Setups: Trezor Model T

If you’re looking for a cold storage wallet that allows you to track and manage your coins on the go, look no further than the Trezor Model T. Featuring a bright touch-screen design, the Trezor Model T makes it easier to view your holdings when you’re away from your computer.

The Trezor Model T can also be an excellent choice for investors who are new to cold storage. To get your wallet started, simply connect to your computer or phone and follow the directions. From a connecting cable to recovery seed cards, the Trezor Model T includes everything you need to begin storing your coins safely offline. 

Best Touchscreen: SecuX V20

The SecuX V20 is a cold storage hardware wallet that features a 2.8-inch full-color touch screen to make managing your coins easier. The device even features an on-screen keyboard and address verification that helps you better resist hacking and theft attempts.

In addition to its impressive touch screen, the SecuX V20 also features top-level security features, including a military-grade, CC EAL 5+ certified secure element to ensure that only you have access to your coins. The body of the SecuX V20 is also exceptionally secure, with a solid aluminum case that allows you to travel with the device without worrying about damage. 

Trade or Sell Your Cryptocurrency

After you’ve made your purchase and your broker has filled the order, you’ll see your coins in your brokerage account. From here, you need to decide if you’d like to hold onto your Stellar long-term or if you’d like to become an active trader.

If you plan on holding your coins for more than a week, you’ll want to transfer your tokens to a cold storage wallet. Your cold storage wallet will feature an address that you can use to direct your coins from your brokerage account. You may want to send a small amount of cryptocurrency to your wallet before you liquidate your account to be sure that you have the right address. If you send your coins to an incorrect address, it is virtually impossible to get them back.

Unlike long-term traders, active traders capitalize on small Stellar price movements throughout the day or week. You’ll convert your Stellar into a stablecoin (like Tether) when Stellar prices rise, then purchase them back when the price falls again. This allows you to accumulate more coins, which you can then cash out or continue to trade with.

Becoming an active trader requires a fast, responsive trading platform. Browse a few of our favorite brokers for short-term investors below to get started.

Current Crypto Prices

Before you decide to place your order to buy Stellar through your broker, you might want to keep track of how prices across the market are changing. This allows you to buy in when prices are lower than average. Browse a few of the top cryptocurrencies below to learn more about how the market is moving today. 

Getting Started With Altcoin Investing

From Stellar’s groundbreaking network to coins tied to an underlying asset (like Maker), altcoins beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum represent a wealth of potential. However, unlike the forex or the stock market, the cryptocurrency market is still highly unregulated. Anyone can create a coin or token and begin selling it, and there is no central organization that verifies the claims made by these projects. 

If you do decide to invest in altcoins like Stellar, be sure that you do plenty of research first to make sure that you’re only investing in legitimate projects. 

Q

How regulated is the cryptocurrency market?

A

Compared to forex or the market, the cryptocurrency market is not as regulated.

Q

Should I invest in Stellar Lumen?

A

Before investing in any market, it’s essential to do your research and make your decision based on that.

Q

When should I transfer my coins to a cold-storage wallet?

A

You should transfer your coins to a cold-storage wallet if you plan to hold on to them for longer than a week.

Disclosure: ²Sum of median estimated savings and rewards earned, per user in 2021 across multiple Coinbase programs (excluding sweepstakes). This amount includes fee waivers from Coinbase One (excluding the subscription cost), rewards from Coinbase Card, and staking rewards. ³Crypto rewards is an optional Coinbase offer. Upon purchase of USDC, you will be automatically opted in to rewards. If you’d like to opt out or learn more about rewards, you can click here. The rewards rate is subject to change and can vary by region. Customers will be able to see the latest applicable rates directly within their accounts
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About Sarah Horvath

Sarah is an expert in the insurance, investing for retirement and cryptocurrency space.