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Tech & Protocols · 1 min read

Stellar Deploys Bell Upgrade to Testnet Ahead of Mainnet Vote

The testnet release requires wallet and indexer updates while introducing optional post-quantum signature verification for smart contracts.

Editorial oversight: Julian Mercer, Chief Editor
Neutral
$XLM $0.1632 −0.7%

At a glance Announced

What happened
Stellar deployed the Bell upgrade to its testnet ahead of a mainnet validator vote.
Why it matters
Smart contracts gain optional post-quantum signature verification, while node tools, wallets, and indexers must update.
Who is affected
Stellar wallet providers, indexer operators, and smart contract developers.
What's next
A validator vote on whether to activate the Bell upgrade on the mainnet.
Primary source
thedefiant.io: Stellar's Bell Upgrade Goes Live on Testnet Ahead of Mainnet Vote

Key points

  • Stellar launched the Bell protocol upgrade on its testnet ahead of an upcoming mainnet vote.
  • Smart contracts on the network gain optional post-quantum signature verification capabilities.
  • Wallet providers and indexer operators must upgrade their software to maintain compatibility.

Stellar has launched its Bell protocol upgrade on the network's testnet ahead of an upcoming governance vote by mainnet validators 1.

The upgrade introduces optional post-quantum signature verification support for smart contracts deployed on the network 1. To prepare for the network transition, ecosystem wallet providers and data indexers must update their client software to ensure compatibility with the updated protocol environment 1.

Post-Quantum Preparations

Integrating quantum-resistant cryptographic primitives allows smart contract developers to implement defenses against emerging computing architectures 1. The testnet environment serves as the trial phase before node operators and validators participate in a formal vote on whether to activate the Bell upgrade on the primary Stellar ledger 1.

At the time of writing, native token $XLM traded at $0.1632.

Sources

  1. [1] Stellar's Bell Upgrade Goes Live on Testnet Ahead of Mainnet Vote — thedefiant.io, November 3, 2026

Written by Basis Desk's newsroom system from the primary sources above and machine-verified against them before publication. Market figures marked "at the time of writing" come from live exchange data. Report an error: corrections@basisdesk.news · corrections policy.

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