Why is XLM important to the Stellar ecosystem?

[chainsniff]

XLM plays a critical role in maintaining the Stellar network. Every transaction requires a small amount of XLM as a fee, helping prevent spam and network abuse. The token can also function as a bridge currency, making it easier to exchange assets that may not have direct trading pairs.

Beyond its technical role, XLM is often used by traders and investors who want exposure to the growth of the Stellar ecosystem. As adoption of Stellar-based applications increases, demand for XLM may grow because it remains an essential component of network operations and liquidity management.

[ed]

xlm's job is basically being the middleman that everyone complains about until they realize they need one