> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.trustlesswork.com/trustless-work/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.trustlesswork.com/trustless-work/v2-en/introduction/stellar-and-soroban-the-backbone-of-trustless-work.md).

# Stellar Network

Escrows need rails. Trustless Work runs on Stellar, a blockchain optimized for stablecoins, payments, and smart contracts.

Trustless Work contracts run on **Stellar**. Smart contract logic runs on **Soroban**.

Wallets sign the transactions. Trustlines define which assets accounts can hold.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Why it matters:** Stellar gives fast finality and low fees. Soroban makes the escrow logic programmable.
{% endhint %}

### Why Stellar?

* **Fast finality.** Most transactions confirm in \~5 seconds.
* **Low fees.** Transaction fees are typically fractions of a cent.
* **Built for payments.** Wallets, exchanges, and on/off-ramps already support Stellar.
* **Stablecoin-ready.** USDC is widely used on Stellar, plus any issued asset.

### Why Soroban?

Soroban is Stellar’s smart contract engine.

It powers **programmable escrows**. You can encode roles, milestones, approvals, disputes, and release logic on-chain.

### Start here

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Topic</th><th data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Link</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Trustlines</td><td><a href="/trustless-work/introduction/stellar-and-soroban-the-backbone-of-trustless-work/trustlines.md">Trustlines</a></td></tr><tr><td>Testnet Tokens</td><td><a href="/trustless-work/introduction/stellar-and-soroban-the-backbone-of-trustless-work/testnet-tokens.md">Testnet Tokens</a></td></tr><tr><td>Stellar Wallets</td><td><a href="/trustless-work/introduction/stellar-and-soroban-the-backbone-of-trustless-work/stellar-wallets.md">Stellar Wallets</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

<details>

<summary>Coming soon</summary>

* Issued assets on Stellar (USDC and other tokens)
* Libraries & tooling (Soroban + wallet integration helpers)

</details>

{% hint style="success" %}
If you’re building locally, start with **Testnet Tokens** and **Trustlines** first.
{% endhint %}


---

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