Three major institutions are joining Stellar as Tier 1 validators: MoneyGram (payments), Figure (RWA stablecoins), and Range (compliance services). Despite earning zero block rewards or staking yields, they're validating because their core businesses depend on Stellar's decentralized governance model and security.
MoneyGram, Figure, and Range announced plans to join Stellar as Tier 1 validators by mid-August 2026. Unlike most blockchains, Stellar validators receive no block rewards, staking yields, or transaction fees. Instead, the network relies on trust and reputation. These three companies are validating because they've deeply integrated Stellar into their infrastructure: MoneyGram settles payments and issues MGUSD, Figure issues a registered security stablecoin ($YLDS), and Range provides compliance tooling for institutions. The validator decision reflects Stellar's governance philosophy, which prioritizes decentralization and MEV prevention over financial incentives. Unlike proof-of-stake systems like Ethereum and Solana, where block rewards and delegation create concentration risks, Stellar's Tier 1 set emerges when existing validators independently decide to trust new operators. This model makes validator-driven MEV attacks much harder to execute.