The cryptocurrencty tipped to explode in 2018 is not Bitcoin, Ethereum or Ripple, according to experts. The one to watch is Stellar Lumens. Similarly to Ripple, Stellar Lumens is designed to enact swift international transactions - they take just three to five seconds to be completed - but there are some key distinctions that make Stellar stand out. By the end of the year, we could see Stellar rise over 1,000% to a value on the market of $183 billion. Stellar Lumens came to the attention of market analysts in October 2017, when it entered into a partnership with IBM. This partnership will see Stellar Lumens used for cryptocoin transactions between countries in the South Pacific. So, an Australian company can swiftly manage transactions with customers in Singapore, for example, through the Lumens. The founders of the cryptocurrency have high expectations, hoping to implement profound change for the nations of the South Pacific. And once the support of IBM and the tech giant's banking partners is fully cemented, perhaps global financial transactions could be revolutionised, helping even developing nations find inclusion in global finances. The Stellar blockchain allows users to create their own tokens/ICOs, and Stellar can handle up to 1,000 transactions per second. What differentiates Stellar from Ripple? The major difference between Stellar and Ripple is that the former is far more decentralised than the latter. Many cryptocurrency enthusiasts object to Ripple due to its movement away from the decentralised character cryptocurrencies were founded upon. Additionally, Stellar Lumens is a non-profit organisation, while Ripple is a corporation looking to make big profits. Cryptocurrency experts are expecting huge things from Stellar as 2018 goes on. They expect a price target for the end of 2018 that ranges from $0.75 to as much as $20. So if you want to get in on the cryptocurrency craze in 2018, or are looking for your next big investment, Stellar Lumens just might be the way to go. Sponsored by