Stellar’s XLM token is at a crossroads after two key metrics pointed in opposite directions in late August 2026. According to data from Messari shared by ALLINCRYPTO, Stellar’s 30-day real-world asset transfer volume reached $313 billion, a staggering increase of nearly 81,000% in a single month.
That explosive growth puts Stellar in the spotlight as tokenized real-world assets become a major theme across crypto. The network has historically focused on payments and asset transfers, so the RWA expansion aligns closely with its core use case and could signal stronger long-term adoption.
However, DeFi data tells a different story. DefiLlama figures cited by BSCN show Stellar’s total value locked dropped by roughly 60% in one day, falling from more than $247 million on August 26 to about $98 million on August 27. The TVL later slipped further to approximately $82.8 million. A falling TVL indicates that users are withdrawing liquidity or moving funds elsewhere, creating a sharp contrast with rising RWA transfer activity.
Against this backdrop, XLM is trading near $0.177 after pulling back from a recent high close to $0.23. Technical indicators are sending tentative bullish signals, with the Relative Strength Index at 37.45 near oversold territory and flashing three bullish divergences. The Ultimate Oscillator has also climbed to 40.44, suggesting selling pressure may be fading. The first key resistance is seen at $0.18, followed by $0.19, $0.20, and $0.21, while support sits at $0.17 with deeper levels at $0.16 and $0.15.
The central question for investors is which trend matters more: Stellar’s rapid RWA growth or its shrinking DeFi footprint. Until that is resolved, XLM’s next move will depend on whether buyers can hold the $0.17 support and break above $0.18 to confirm a potential reversal.
