What Shipped
As we close out November 2025, the crypto market has experienced some notable developments, especially among key blockchain projects like Ripple, Stellar, Hedera, Flare Network, and XDC Network. While many cryptocurrencies have seen price dips over the past 24 hours—Bitcoin fell around 4%, Ethereum dropped nearly 4.7%, and others like Stellar and Hedera declined by over 6%—there is plenty of exciting progress happening behind the scenes.
One of the biggest updates comes from the Stellar Network, which recently announced the launch of Stellar X-Ray, a major protocol upgrade known as Protocol 25. This upgrade aims to improve the network’s efficiency and capabilities, making it easier for developers and businesses to build on Stellar. You can read the detailed upgrade guide here.
In addition, a U.S. bank is now testing the issuance of custom stablecoins on the Stellar Network. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to hold a steady value, often pegged to traditional currencies like the U.S. dollar. This trial marks an important step toward mainstream adoption of blockchain technology in traditional finance.
Why It Matters
Understanding why these updates matter can help you see the bigger picture of blockchain’s growing role in finance and technology. The Stellar Network’s Protocol 25 upgrade enhances the network’s speed, security, and flexibility. This means transactions can be processed more quickly and reliably, which is crucial for applications like cross-border payments and issuing digital assets.
The U.S. bank’s stablecoin test on Stellar is a concrete example of how blockchain technology is moving from theory to real-world use. Stablecoins offer a way to combine the benefits of cryptocurrencies—like fast transactions and low fees—with the stability of traditional money. This can make sending money across borders cheaper and faster, especially for businesses and people who need to transfer funds internationally.
Meanwhile, other networks like Ripple and Hedera continue to work on improving their platforms, aiming to offer better options for payments, data handling, and decentralized applications. The overall trend shows growing trust and interest in blockchain technology from established financial institutions and developers alike.
Builders’ Corner
For developers and innovators, the recent Stellar X-Ray upgrade is a key opportunity to explore new features and build more powerful applications. The upgrade includes enhancements to smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain, allowing for more complex and secure financial products.
Ripple and Stellar both focus heavily on improving cross-border payments, making it easier for individuals and businesses to send money internationally without high fees or long wait times. Hedera Hashgraph is known for its fast and energy-efficient consensus mechanism, which helps networks reach agreement on transactions quickly and securely.
Flare Network and XDC Network are also gaining attention for their innovative approaches to interoperability—meaning they help different blockchains work together more smoothly. This is important as the crypto ecosystem grows more diverse and interconnected.
- Stellar X-Ray (Protocol 25): New upgrade improving speed and smart contract capabilities.
- Stablecoin testing on Stellar: U.S. bank exploring custom stablecoins for better digital finance.
- Cross-border payments: Ripple and Stellar focus on making international transfers cheaper and faster.
- Interoperability: Flare and XDC Networks work on connecting different blockchains seamlessly.
- Hedera Hashgraph: Fast, secure platform with low energy use, suitable for enterprise applications.
Quick Prices
Here’s a snapshot of some key cryptocurrency prices as of November 30, 2025, with their 24-hour percentage changes:
- Bitcoin (BTC): $87,362 (-4.03%)
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,869.82 (-4.70%)
- Ripple (XRP): $2.08 (-5.92%)
- Stellar (XLM): $0.2378 (-6.51%)
- Hedera (HBAR): $0.1353 (-6.28%)
- Flare Network (FLR): $0.0141 (-6.85%)
- XDC Network (XDC): $0.0519 (-1.85%)
While these dips might seem concerning, price fluctuations are normal in crypto markets and often reflect short-term reactions rather than long-term trends.
What to Watch
Looking ahead, here are some key areas to keep an eye on:
- Stablecoin adoption: The U.S. bank’s testing on Stellar could lead to more financial institutions issuing their own stablecoins, improving digital payment options.
- Protocol upgrades: Watch how Stellar’s Protocol 25 impacts developer activity and new applications.
- Cross-border payments: Ripple and Stellar’s ongoing improvements may challenge traditional remittance services with faster, cheaper alternatives.
- Interoperability projects: Flare and XDC Networks could unlock new ways for blockchains to communicate, creating more integrated ecosystems.
- Market recovery: After recent price dips, observe how major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum stabilize or rebound.
TL;DR: Despite recent price dips, major blockchain projects like Stellar and Ripple are making strong progress. Stellar’s new Protocol 25 upgrade and a U.S. bank’s stablecoin trial on Stellar highlight growing real-world adoption. Improvements in cross-border payments and blockchain interoperability continue to build a more connected and efficient digital finance future.
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