Stellar Adds MoneyGram, Figure Markets and Range as Tier 1 Validators

Stellar is expanding institutional participation in its blockchain infrastructure after adding MoneyGram, Figure Markets and Range as Tier 1 validators, bringing companies from global payments, capital markets and blockchain security into a more prominent role in securing the network.

The three firms will operate validators supporting the safety, reliability and continued operation of the Stellar network, according to an announcement from the Stellar Development Foundation. Their participation broadens the group of independent organizations involved in Stellar's consensus infrastructure at a time when financial institutions and blockchain companies are increasingly exploring tokenized assets and digital payments.

The move gives each company a different role within Stellar's broader ecosystem. MoneyGram brings decades of experience in payments, Figure Markets contributes expertise in regulated financial products and capital markets, while Range adds blockchain security and monitoring capabilities.

Together, the new validators could help strengthen the diversity and resilience of Stellar's infrastructure.

What Stellar's Tier 1 Validators Do

Tier 1 validators are an important component of the Stellar Consensus Protocol, which allows the network to reach agreement on transactions and ledger updates.

Unlike traditional proof-of-work or proof-of-stake networks, Stellar uses a consensus design based on trusted participants and quorum sets. Each validator selects other participants it considers trustworthy and uses those relationships to determine when sufficient agreement has been reached.

This architecture means that the organizations operating validators have an important responsibility for network reliability.

However, Stellar's validators do not receive block rewards or transaction fees for operating their infrastructure. Instead, organizations generally have an economic or strategic interest in maintaining a reliable network that supports their own activities.

For institutions involved in payments, financial products and blockchain services, operating a validator can provide a direct role in the infrastructure supporting their businesses.

Strict Requirements for Tier 1 Operators

Becoming a Tier 1 validator involves more than simply running a server.

Stellar requires Tier 1 organizations to meet strict operational standards designed to promote reliability and geographic diversity.

Each organization must operate three full validators from geographically separated locations. Operators must also maintain sustained uptime of at least 99.9%.

In addition, validators are required to publish complete network history archives and complete the SEP-1 and SEP-20 self-verification requirements.

These requirements are intended to ensure that major infrastructure participants are capable of maintaining dependable services and providing transparent information about their operations.

The addition of three established organizations therefore represents more than an increase in the number of validators. It also introduces new infrastructure operators with different areas of expertise.

MoneyGram Expands Its Stellar Role

MoneyGram has maintained a relationship with Stellar since 2021, making its move into Tier 1 validation an extension of an existing partnership.

The global payments company has previously worked with Stellar on MoneyGram Ramps, a system designed to connect digital assets with cash deposits and withdrawals.

Stellar technology also supports MoneyGram's consumer balance feature, giving the network a role in the company's broader digital payments strategy.

By becoming a Tier 1 validator, MoneyGram is now taking on a more direct infrastructure responsibility.

The move places the payments company closer to the underlying consensus layer supporting the Stellar network rather than limiting its relationship to applications and payment services built on top of the blockchain.

For Stellar, MoneyGram's participation also provides the network with a validator operated by a company deeply involved in global money transfers.

Figure Markets Brings Capital Markets Experience

Figure Markets adds a different type of institutional expertise to Stellar's validator group.

The company operates in the capital markets sector and has experience with regulated financial products. Figure also issues YLDS, a yield-bearing asset available on the Stellar network.

Its decision to operate a Tier 1 validator connects its activity involving regulated digital assets with the infrastructure responsible for maintaining Stellar's blockchain.

The combination could be particularly significant as financial institutions continue exploring tokenization and blockchain-based financial products.

For Figure Markets, participating directly in network infrastructure gives the company a deeper connection to the blockchain supporting its digital asset operations.

For Stellar, Figure's participation adds another financial market institution to the group of organizations helping secure the network.

Range Adds Blockchain Security Expertise

The third new Tier 1 validator, Range, brings a security-focused perspective.

Range provides monitoring and compliance infrastructure across more than 200 blockchain networks. The company also secures more than $30 billion in assets for customers.

That experience could be valuable as blockchain networks become increasingly connected to institutional financial activity.

Range's role as a validator gives Stellar access to an operator whose core expertise involves monitoring blockchain infrastructure and managing security-related risks.

Its participation also increases the diversity of organizations contributing to Stellar's consensus system.

More Institutional Validators Could Strengthen Stellar

Adding MoneyGram, Figure Markets and Range expands the number of independent organizations involved in securing Stellar.

A more diverse validator group can improve resilience because the network becomes less dependent on a small number of infrastructure operators.

Industry diversity can also provide benefits. Payments companies, financial institutions and blockchain security providers may approach infrastructure management from different perspectives.

Geographic diversity is another important factor.

Because Tier 1 operators are required to run validators in geographically separated locations, the addition of new organizations can help reduce the potential impact of regional outages or infrastructure disruptions.

Stellar expects the three new validators to become fully integrated into the network's quorum configuration by mid-August.

What the Expansion Means for Stellar

The addition of major institutional participants comes as blockchain networks increasingly seek connections with established financial companies.

MoneyGram's involvement demonstrates the potential relationship between blockchain infrastructure and global payments. Figure Markets represents the growing connection between tokenized financial products and blockchain networks, while Range highlights the importance of security and monitoring as digital assets scale.

For Stellar, having these companies participate directly in consensus infrastructure could strengthen the network's institutional profile.

It also demonstrates that organizations using or building businesses around blockchain technology may have an incentive to contribute directly to the infrastructure they depend on.

Final Takeaway

MoneyGram, Figure Markets and Range joining Stellar as Tier 1 validators marks a significant expansion of institutional participation in the network.

Each organization brings different capabilities, from global payments and capital markets to blockchain security. Their participation also increases the number and diversity of organizations responsible for supporting Stellar's consensus layer.

With the three companies expected to become fully integrated into Stellar's quorum configuration by mid-August, the expansion could further strengthen the network's infrastructure and resilience as Stellar continues developing its role in payments, tokenized assets and institutional blockchain applications.

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