Monero Edges Closer to Stellar Amid Renewed Demand for Privacy-Focused Cryptocurrencies
Monero narrows the gap with Stellar, climbing to $7.6B market cap amid a bullish privacy-driven crypto surge.
In a notable shift within the cryptocurrency rankings, Monero (XMR) is now just $1.17 billion away from surpassing Stellar (XLM) in market capitalization. As of May 25, Monero holds a market cap of $7.60 billion, while Stellar sits at $8.77 billion, according to CoinMarketCap data.
This development comes as Monero continues an impressive bullish streak. Trading at $412, XMR has surged nearly 300% since its lowest point in 2024, marking seven consecutive weeks of gains. The token now ranks 20th by market cap, trailing Stellar, which holds the 15th spot.
What makes Monero’s climb particularly striking is its resilience in the face of exchange delistings. The cryptocurrency was removed from major platforms like Coinbase and Binance due to regulatory concerns over its privacy features. Yet, instead of fading into obscurity, it has seen a resurgence fueled by growing demand for anonymous transactions.
This momentum reflects a broader shift in market sentiment. As blockchain privacy tools face increased scrutiny—most notably Tornado Cash, which has come under heavy regulatory fire—users are gravitating toward Monero for its proven track record and technological robustness. Its ring signature system, which obscures sender identity by blending transactions, offers privacy unmatched by mainstream alternatives such as USDT or USDC.
The surge in interest is also partly driven by rising concerns over cybercrime and high-profile wallet breaches. In one instance, XMR reportedly gained $2 billion in value within 24 hours following news of a major hack, as users scrambled for safer alternatives.
Technically, Monero’s indicators show strong bullish momentum. Its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) stands at $272.42, while the 200-day SMA is $212.84—both well below current price levels. However, with a 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 84.19, the token is in overbought territory, suggesting a short-term correction may be imminent.
Despite potential volatility, Monero’s climb toward Stellar underscores a key trend in 2025: the revival of privacy-centric cryptocurrencies amid rising regulatory tension, cyber threats, and user demand for digital autonomy. Whether XMR overtakes XLM in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but its momentum suggests a reshuffling among the top ranks of the crypto market may be underway.
