SEP-31
Crypto ProtocolSEP-31 is Stellar's cross-border payments API standard that defines how anchors send payments on behalf of customers using ISO 20022-compatible data structures.
SEP-31 (Stellar Ecosystem Proposal 31) is a protocol specification that defines the HTTP API a Stellar anchor must implement to receive cross-border payment instructions from a sending institution. An anchor is a regulated entity that bridges traditional fiat to the Stellar network.
The SEP-31 workflow: Sender institution queries the destination anchor's SEP-31 endpoint, receives required KYC fields and fee structure, submits an ISO-20022-aligned transaction record with full beneficiary information, and the anchor handles the last-mile fiat disbursement. The Stellar network settles the XLM/stablecoin leg in ~5 seconds.
MoneyGram, Flutterwave, and several African and Southeast Asian remittance providers have deployed SEP-31 corridors. The ISO 20022 data alignment means SEP-31 can serve as the settlement layer inside CBPR+-compatible payment flows, similar to how ODL works for XRP.
Crypto Relevance
SEP-31 is what gives XLM genuine ISO 20022 relevance — it's not just theoretical compatibility, it's a working API standard that financial institutions can implement to get Stellar settlement inside their existing compliance infrastructure.
Get the institutional context, investment implications, and common misconceptions about SEP-31 — a When Moon 589 editorial deep dive for ISO 20022 investors.
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Join ISO 20022 investorsRelated Terms
Stellar Anchor
A Stellar anchor is a regulated entity that issues assets on the Stellar network and provides fiat on- and off-ramps, bridging the Stellar blockchain and the traditional banking system.
XLM Remittance Module
XLM's designated role in ISO 20022 is as the preferred network for remittance flows to emerging markets, using SEP-31 anchors and stablecoins.
SEP-24
SEP-24 is the Stellar standard for interactive, anchor-hosted deposits and withdrawals — a wallet hands the user off to the anchor's own web interface to complete KYC and payment details.
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Last reviewed: 2026-05-17