Freighter rebrands as Varial, adds Discover directory

Stellar (XLM)’s Freighter wallet has rebranded as Varial, marking a shift from a developer-focused browser extension toward a broader entry point for the Stellar ecosystem, according to a Stellar Foundation blog post published on 2026-10-29. The update adds a Discover directory for apps, in-wallet swap tools, price charts and NFT management, while keeping private keys stored on users’ devices.

What changed

The Stellar Foundation said Freighter launched in 2020 as a browser extension and reference implementation for developers building on Stellar, and later became the first wallet to support smart contracts on the network. In the new release, the wallet is renamed Varial and is positioned around helping users discover and use apps, assets and opportunities across Stellar.

The new Discover tab functions as a directory of apps across the network and lets users connect from within the wallet. Varial also adds token swapping, with swap router integrations listed as coming soon, along with price charts for tracking token performance and a Collectibles view for Stellar NFTs. The foundation said the wallet does not charge its own fees, though Stellar network fees and third-party provider fees may still apply.

Security and product roadmap

Varial will continue to keep private keys on the user’s device, and the wallet uses Blockaid protection to help identify and block malicious transactions, according to the foundation. The article also points to future additions, including an Earn section that will bring DeFi positions into the wallet, starting with Blend, and deposit-address support developed with Stellar-native team Lightsail to make it easier to fund Stellar accounts from other networks.

The foundation said account management features are also being expanded, including support for importing unlimited seed phrases and secret keys and improved transaction previews that show changes to signers, trustlines and allowances before approval. For developers, Stellar said apps may be considered for inclusion in Discover, and future launches could be featured on the Varial homepage and via in-app notifications. The post also notes that upcoming mobile support for direct connections to the Varial app, alongside WalletConnect, is intended to reduce integration work.

Context

The rebrand comes after sustained growth in Stellar’s ecosystem. The foundation said total value locked on Stellar has increased more than 30 times since Freighter first launched, though it did not provide a base figure or measurement date in the post. Separate official changelog entries show Freighter continued to receive incremental updates through 2026, including mobile swap-default changes and extension updates, indicating the product remained active ahead of the rename.

Some features described in the announcement are framed as upcoming rather than live. The foundation’s wording indicates that Earn, Blend integration and cross-chain USDC deposit support are planned additions, not confirmed current functionality. Inclusion in Discover is also subject to review and eligibility, according to the post.