ICP vs Stellar

The Internet Computer (ICP) is a Layer‑1 that runs WebAssembly ‘canisters’ directly on chain, with sub‑second query calls and 2‑second update finality. Boundary nodes translate HTTP requests into signed chain queries, enabling dApps to serve web front‑ends without traditional servers. ICP’s reverse GAS model bills cycles in stable dollar terms, shielding developers from token volatility.

Stellar is a payments‑focused blockchain that uses the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), a federated Byzantine agreement where each node chooses its own quorum slices. Anchors issue fiat‑backed tokens, and Stellar’s built‑in DEX offers path payments that can hop through multiple assets in a single transaction. The 2023 Soroban upgrade added WebAssembly smart contracts, enabling on‑chain AMMs, lending and other DeFi primitives.