This article provides a comprehensive review of Stellar (XLM)'s historical price movements and market volatility since its inception, combining data from bull and bear market phases to assess the potential returns for investors purchasing 10 XLM tokens. The analysis addresses the critical question: “Should I buy XLM now?” to help both newcomers and long-term investors identify optimal entry points and growth opportunities.
Early Market Origins and Initial Cycles: Historical Price Review (2018 to 2020)
Stellar (XLM) is a blockchain project initiated by Jed McCaleb, co-founder of Ripple, which established a decentralized gateway for transmitting digital currencies and fiat currencies. The platform enables rapid, stable, and extremely low-cost asset transfers between banks, payment institutions, and individuals. According to market records, XLM’s early trading price was approximately $0.393 in 2018.
The following shows XLM’s price performance during its early market phases:
2018
Opening price: $0.393
Closing price: $0.119
Highest price: $0.4493
Lowest price: $0.0957
Annual return: -69.72%
2019
Opening price: $0.101
Closing price: $0.0454
Highest price: $0.1426
Lowest price: $0.0454
Annual return: -55.05%
2020
Opening price: $0.0485
Closing price: $0.1363
Highest price: $0.1941
Lowest price: $0.0372
Annual return: 181.03%
An investor who purchased 10 XLM tokens in 2018 would have experienced significant volatility. By 2020, if they had held through the recovery, the potential returns from that 2020 purchase would be approximately 107% based on holding to present value.
Bear Market Adjustments and Mid-Cycle Consolidation (2021 to 2023)
During this period, XLM experienced significant price fluctuations with modest gains followed by sharp declines, influenced by broader cryptocurrency market conditions and regulatory pressures.
The following shows potential returns for investors purchasing 10 XLM tokens during different years of this phase:
2021: -129.88% (from purchase to current reference point)
2022: -105.19%
2023: +78.63%
2021
Opening price: $0.28569
Closing price: $0.292
Highest price: $0.7106
Lowest price: $0.2299
Annual return: 2.21%
2022
Opening price: $0.261
Closing price: $0.072444
Highest price: $0.261
Lowest price: $0.072444
Annual return: -72.24%
2023
Opening price: $0.07718
Closing price: $0.12909
Highest price: $0.156613
Lowest price: $0.07718
Annual return: 67.26%
Recent Market Cycles: Should I Buy XLM Now? (2024 to 2026)
In recent years, XLM has exhibited volatile price action with periods of sharp appreciation followed by corrections. The market has debated whether the asset has entered a new bull cycle or remains in consolidation.
2024
Opening price: $0.11519
Closing price: $0.44077
Highest price: $0.56032
Lowest price: $0.08392
Annual return: 282.65%
2025
Opening price: $0.4229
Closing price: $0.233
Highest price: $0.47055
Lowest price: $0.21648
Annual return: -44.9%
2026 (To Date)
Opening price: $0.22437
Closing price: $0.15581
Highest price: $0.22437
Lowest price: $0.15581
Annual return: -30.56%
Potential returns for investors purchasing 10 XLM tokens during this recent period:
2024: +40.62%
2025: -267.09%
2026 (to date): -68.56%
Summary: Bull Markets, Bear Markets, and Investment Timing Analysis
Through analysis of XLM’s historical price data and potential returns across multiple market cycles, the asset has demonstrated extreme volatility with periods of exceptional gains (such as 2024’s +282.65% return) offset by substantial drawdowns. Current market conditions from 2026 onwards suggest caution, with declining prices and negative returns year-to-date, indicating investors should carefully evaluate their risk tolerance and investment horizon before establishing positions in XLM.
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
Stellar (XLM) Historical Price and Returns Analysis: Should I Buy XLM Now?
Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive review of Stellar (XLM)'s historical price movements and market volatility since its inception, combining data from bull and bear market phases to assess the potential returns for investors purchasing 10 XLM tokens. The analysis addresses the critical question: “Should I buy XLM now?” to help both newcomers and long-term investors identify optimal entry points and growth opportunities.
Early Market Origins and Initial Cycles: Historical Price Review (2018 to 2020)
Stellar (XLM) is a blockchain project initiated by Jed McCaleb, co-founder of Ripple, which established a decentralized gateway for transmitting digital currencies and fiat currencies. The platform enables rapid, stable, and extremely low-cost asset transfers between banks, payment institutions, and individuals. According to market records, XLM’s early trading price was approximately $0.393 in 2018.
The following shows XLM’s price performance during its early market phases:
2018
2019
2020
An investor who purchased 10 XLM tokens in 2018 would have experienced significant volatility. By 2020, if they had held through the recovery, the potential returns from that 2020 purchase would be approximately 107% based on holding to present value.
Bear Market Adjustments and Mid-Cycle Consolidation (2021 to 2023)
During this period, XLM experienced significant price fluctuations with modest gains followed by sharp declines, influenced by broader cryptocurrency market conditions and regulatory pressures.
The following shows potential returns for investors purchasing 10 XLM tokens during different years of this phase:
2021
2022
2023
Recent Market Cycles: Should I Buy XLM Now? (2024 to 2026)
In recent years, XLM has exhibited volatile price action with periods of sharp appreciation followed by corrections. The market has debated whether the asset has entered a new bull cycle or remains in consolidation.
2024
2025
2026 (To Date)
Potential returns for investors purchasing 10 XLM tokens during this recent period:
Summary: Bull Markets, Bear Markets, and Investment Timing Analysis
Through analysis of XLM’s historical price data and potential returns across multiple market cycles, the asset has demonstrated extreme volatility with periods of exceptional gains (such as 2024’s +282.65% return) offset by substantial drawdowns. Current market conditions from 2026 onwards suggest caution, with declining prices and negative returns year-to-date, indicating investors should carefully evaluate their risk tolerance and investment horizon before establishing positions in XLM.