Digital wallets have truly revolutionized the way we handle transactions in today’s digital age. With their convenience, security features, and the ability to streamline payments, they have become an integral part of our daily lives. As blockchain technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative features and functionalities to be integrated into digital wallets in the future and Stellar network is already at the forefront of this journey as we can see in the opinion piece with Dmitri Gmyza.
Dmitri, could you please introduce yourself and share the story of your journey in the blockchain world? What inspired you to delve into this technology and to co-found a digital wallet service?
Absolutely. I’m a Software Engineer with a background in developing mobile applications for Android and iOS and the Co-founder of Ultra Stellar. My passion for cryptocurrencies dates back to 2013, when I started exploring blockchain networks like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ripple out of sheer curiosity. That was an exciting and insightful period for me, and the more I learned, the more I realized how much I wanted to contribute to this space. And in 2014, I co-founded a crypto startup where we could bring our ideas to life.
It was around then that I learned about Stellar, a new cryptocurrency that had just been launched. After studying their ideas, the blockchain’s structure, and its founding members’ experience, I became convinced that we should involve ourselves with the Stellar ecosystem. That led us to develop LOBSTR, a non-custodial crypto wallet for Stellar’s tokens, lumens.
We released the first version of LOBSTR in 2015. For almost a decade since then, we have dedicated ourselves to pushing the boundaries of crypto, developing crypto products for various ecosystems, with Stellar being one of our main focus areas. Today, we’re proud to have an incredibly skilled team, and our wallet is used by over a million of loyal users.
Stellar network is often praised for its unique consensus protocol and efficient handling of transactions. Can you delve into what sets Stellar apart from other blockchain networks?
Indeed, Stellar Consensus Protocol is one of the network’s finest features, one that I find the most fascinating. This protocol enables quick transaction confirmations without energy-intensive mining or complicated proof-of-stake mechanisms – the bane of many a modern blockchain network. This, in turn, leads to faster transactions and lower fees, which is still a problem for PoW- and PoS-based networks.
And there is even more to Stellar. Its features, like decentralized exchange, automated market makers, and upcoming Soroban Smart Contracts, are all leading-edge blockchain tech advancements. The DEX makes possible direct asset trading on the network, streamlining the exchange process; AMMs further enhance this liquidity by offering efficient, decentralized trading pools. And with the upcoming introduction of Soroban Smart Contracts, Stellar will become even more powerful and versatile.
You mentioned Soroban Smart Contracts. Can you tell our readers more about this feature? What opportunities do they open – both for Stellar users and developers?
Soroban smart contracts platform is the next evolutionary step in Stellar’s development. Soroban adds an Ethereum-like smart contract framework to the network, allowing developers to create and deploy sophisticated decentralized apps directly on the blockchain.
For users and the Stellar ecosystem as a whole, Soroban brings dramatically increased transaction efficiency and reliability, as well as a broader suite of financial tools and services previously impossible to implement on the blockchain. In essence, these developments not only enrich Stellar’s platform but also set the stage for new levels of innovation in the blockchain space, driving broader adoption and utility of blockchain technology across various sectors.
You have already mentioned LOBSTR, a wallet for the Stellar network. As one of its creators, can you tell us what sets LOBSTR apart from other digital wallets?
There are several key points that make LOBSTR stand out among the competition, and we are proud of every one of them!
First, our wallet puts security at the forefront; we offer our users a range of advanced features such as multi-signature support to safeguard users’ assets.
Second, several strategic partnerships with renowned industry leaders like Moonpay and MoneyGram allowed us to critically expand LOBSTR’s functionality, giving our users access to a plethora of additional services and features not present in other wallets. And finally, LOBSTR boasts a genuinely user-friendly UI/UX.
And last but not least, one of LOBSTR’s stand-out features is its intuitive UI. Right from the start, we were designing its interface to be as user-friendly as possible, with the goal of removing any barriers to entry for new users.
Today, LOBSTR is a trusted and reputable wallet. Its reliability and user satisfaction are demonstrated by the overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive. With a track record of quality and safety proven over time, LOBSTR continues to set the standard for excellence in digital wallets.
Is there a story behind the name of your wallet?
LOBSTR was named with the intention of creating a memorable and unique identity while incorporating the ticker symbol of Stellar’s currency at the time, which was STR. I must admit here that we intentionally omitted the letter “E” – this adds a cool distinctive touch to the name, doesn’t it?
In 2015, when the Stellar Development Foundation renamed the currency from Stellar to Lumens (abbreviated XLM), we chose to keep our original name to maintain brand recognition among our users. The name LOBSTR stands as a testament to our longstanding presence in the blockchain world in general and within the Stellar ecosystem in particular.
What were the main goals and challenges in LOBSTR’s inception, and how have they evolved as it has grown to become a key player in the Stellar community?
Since 2015, we have been committed to providing Stellar users with a seamless platform for managing their assets and effortlessly engaging with the Stellar network. Our primary goal has always been to establish LOBSTR as the go-to wallet within the Stellar community. Additionally, we have embraced the importance of facilitating cross-border payments, aiming to streamline international transactions for our users.
Also, one of our key objectives has been to ensure that LOBSTR caters to the needs of a diverse user base, whether they’re newcomers to the world of cryptocurrencies or seasoned professionals. We strive to provide a user experience that is intuitive and accessible to all, meeting the requirements of various users and offering a platform that accommodates users at every level of expertise.
What can you tell us about LOBSTR’s primary goals and potential future development paths? Are users to expect any new features or integrations in the near future?
Looking ahead, our main aim is to make LOBSTR the go-to portal for the decentralized finance ecosystem on the Stellar network. We’re diving into adding smart contracts to our platform, opening up tons of new possibilities for our users. Our goal is to be the bridge to Stellar’s DeFi world, giving our users easy access to a broad array of DeFi applications and services. We envision transforming LOBSTR into a versatile wallet that connects effortlessly with any DeFi app, offering unmatched flexibility and functionality for digital asset management.
Also, in addition to our wallet app, we’re currently developing the LOBSTR Browser Extension. This tool will let users with a LOBSTR account easily connect to web-based DeFi applications, even those not directly integrated with our wallet.
How do you see the future of Stellar and its role in the larger blockchain and cryptocurrency scene? What trends and developments do you think will shape the network’s evolution?
Looking ahead, I see Stellar taking on a key role in the blockchain world. As we need more efficient ways to handle cross-border payments, Stellar’s focus on making systems work together and its ability to scale up makes it a leader in this field. With recent tech upgrades like Soroban and Protocol 20, Stellar is set to do more than just move assets around – it could become a central spot for DeFi projects.
I also expect Stellar to keep partnering with big names across different sectors, boosting its use and presence worldwide. Overall, I believe Stellar community’s commitment to innovation will fuel its growth and help shape the future of blockchain technology and digital finance.
As an expert in the crypto industry, what advice would you offer to our readers looking to invest in digital currencies or start a new business in this sphere?
The key is thorough market research. Identify a niche or a problem that hasn’t been addressed yet. Blockchain technology could be your foundation for creating solutions that really matter to users. Networking within the crypto community is crucial for insights and potential collaborations. Persistence and the ability to adapt are essential in this quickly evolving industry. Lastly, keep a strong hold on your vision, much like you would with your digital assets.
