The Stellar network is more than just a powerful piece of technology; it's a thriving, global ecosystem built on the foundation of a vibrant and supportive developer community. For anyone looking to build the future of finance—whether you're a seasoned blockchain engineer or a curious newcomer—getting involved in this community is the most important step you can take. This guide outlines the best ways to connect, learn, contribute, and become a core part of Stellar's innovation engine in 2026.
Your Central Hub: The Stellar Developer Discord
The most dynamic, immediate, and valuable way to connect with the Stellar ecosystem is by joining the official Stellar Developer Discord server. This is not just a simple chat group; it's a bustling community hub with thousands of members, offering a wealth of resources and direct interaction opportunities.
On the Discord server, you can:
Get Real-Time Help: Stuck on a piece of code or a technical concept? The #support and language-specific channels are filled with experienced developers and SDF team members who are happy to help you solve problems in real-time.
Participate in Design Discussions: Get a front-row seat to the evolution of the platform by joining the public weekly design discussions for Soroban and other core protocols.
Stay on Top of Events: Be the first to know about upcoming hackathons, virtual workshops, and community events designed to enhance your building skills.
Share Your Project: Get valuable feedback on your project from a community of your peers and potential users.
Connect with the Core Team: The Discord provides unprecedented access to the engineers and product managers who are building Stellar and Soroban.
Expand Your Reach: Beyond Discord
While Discord is your primary nexus for real-time interaction, Stellar's community engagement extends across multiple platforms to cater to different learning styles and professional needs.
Stellar GitHub: This is where the code lives. Explore the open-source repositories for Stellar Core, Horizon, and Soroban. You can learn by reading the code, report issues, and even contribute directly to the platform's development by submitting pull requests.
Stack Exchange: For specific, well-defined technical questions, the Stellar Q&A site on Stack Exchange is an incredible, searchable resource. It's a great place to find answers to common problems that other developers have already solved.
Social Media:
X (Twitter): Follow the SDF for the latest news, project highlights, and major announcements.
LinkedIn: Connect for updates with a focus on business applications, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership.
Stellar Community Medium: Check out the community blog for insightful articles and updates from projects across the ecosystem.
Active Participation: From Learning to Earning
Joining the community isn't just about observing; it's about actively participating and leveraging the incredible support systems that Stellar provides.
Stellar Community Fund (SCF): If you have a great idea for a project, the SCF is your gateway to funding. This community-driven program offers significant grants to developers and startups building on Stellar and Soroban.
SCF Kickstart Bootcamp: For startups planning to apply to the SCF, this virtual bootcamp provides invaluable mentorship and structured guidance to help you refine your idea and prepare a winning application.
The Stellar Ambassador Program: If you're passionate about education and community building, this program supports builders and educators in forming regional chapters, organizing local events, and connecting with other developers in your area.
Bounties and Contributions: Keep an eye out for opportunities like the Developer Documentation Bounty. These programs reward community members for contributing to the ecosystem's public goods, such as improving the official documentation.
Hoopy voting in the scf
Conclusion
The Stellar developer community is a thriving, global, and incredibly welcoming network built on a shared passion for collaboration and innovation. In 2026, the pathways to get involved are more numerous and accessible than ever. Whether you're joining the lively discussions on Discord, contributing code on GitHub, or applying for funding through the Stellar Community Fund, there are ample opportunities to learn, build, and make a tangible impact on the future of decentralized finance. The future of Stellar is being built today, by its community. Join us.
Once you're part of the community, you'll be ready to build. Hoops Finance provides the robust APIs and smart contract infrastructure to help you turn your ideas into reality on the Stellar network. Start your building journey at hoops.finance.