What Is Stacks?

Stacks (formerly Blockstack) is a layer-2 blockchain that brings smart contracts and decentralized applications to Bitcoin. Originally founded by Muneeb Ali and Ryan Shea in 2013, the project evolved from a decentralized identity system into a full smart contract platform that settles on Bitcoin. Stacks launched its current blockchain in January 2021 and completed a major upgrade called Nakamoto in 2024.

Overview - Table of Contents
What Is Stacks?
Getting Started With Stacks
How To Get A Stacks Wallet?
Stacks Resources
How To Buy STX?
Latest Stacks News

Stacks uses a unique consensus mechanism called Proof of Transfer (PoX), which connects Stacks to Bitcoin's security. In PoX, Stacks miners spend BTC to mine STX blocks, and STX holders who participate in "stacking" (Stacks' version of staking) earn BTC rewards. This creates a direct economic link between the two networks — Stacks miners commit real Bitcoin to participate, and stackers earn real Bitcoin yield. This is one of the only ways to earn native BTC yield without giving up custody of your Bitcoin.

The Nakamoto upgrade, completed in 2024, was a significant milestone for Stacks. It introduced fast blocks (settling in seconds rather than following Bitcoin's 10-minute block time), increased Bitcoin finality (Stacks transactions become as irreversible as Bitcoin transactions), and enabled sBTC — a decentralized, programmable Bitcoin-backed asset. sBTC allows Bitcoin holders to use their BTC in Stacks DeFi applications without centralized custodians.

Smart contracts on Stacks are written in Clarity, a decidable programming language designed for predictability and security. Unlike Turing-complete languages like Solidity, Clarity allows developers and users to know exactly what a smart contract will do before executing it. This design choice prioritizes safety and auditability, which aligns with the security-focused ethos of the Bitcoin ecosystem.

STX is the native token of the Stacks network. It is used for transaction fees, smart contract execution, and participation in stacking to earn BTC rewards. Stacks was notably the first token offering qualified by the SEC under Regulation A+, giving it a unique regulatory history in the crypto space.

The Stacks ecosystem includes DeFi protocols like Alex Lab (DEX), Arkadiko (stablecoin), and Zest Protocol (lending). The network also supports Bitcoin NFTs and identity solutions. As the Bitcoin ecosystem has grown with Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens, Stacks has benefited from increased interest in Bitcoin-native applications.

Getting Started With Stacks

Getting started with Stacks:

Step 1: Install a Stacks wallet such as Leather or Xverse.
Step 2: Acquire STX from a cryptocurrency exchange.
Step 3: Transfer STX to your wallet.
Step 4: Explore Stacks DeFi, participate in stacking to earn BTC, or interact with Bitcoin-connected dApps.

How to Get a Stacks Wallet?

Leather Wallet

Leather (formerly Hiro Wallet) is the most popular wallet for the Stacks ecosystem. Available as a browser extension and desktop application, it supports STX, Stacks-based tokens, Bitcoin, and Ordinals. Leather provides integrated stacking functionality for earning BTC rewards.

Xverse Wallet

Xverse is a mobile and browser wallet for Bitcoin and Stacks. It supports STX, BRC-20 tokens, Ordinals, and Stacks dApps. Xverse provides a unified Bitcoin + Stacks experience.

Ledger Hardware Wallet

Stacks is supported by Ledger hardware wallets. You can use Ledger with Leather wallet for secure offline key storage while still participating in stacking and dApp interactions.

Stacks Resources

How to Buy STX?

STX is available on major cryptocurrency exchanges:

Centralized Exchanges

STX can be purchased on Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, OKX, and other major exchanges. Trading pairs include STX/USDT, STX/BTC, and STX/USD on select platforms.

Decentralized Exchanges

Within the Stacks ecosystem, Alex Lab is the leading DEX for trading STX and Stacks-based tokens. STX can also be found as a wrapped token on Ethereum DEXs.

Latest Stacks News

Stacks has seen significant growth following the Nakamoto upgrade, which brought fast blocks and enhanced Bitcoin finality. Key developments include the rollout of sBTC for decentralized Bitcoin in DeFi, growing Bitcoin DeFi activity, and increasing recognition of Stacks as a leading Bitcoin layer-2 solution alongside the broader expansion of the Bitcoin ecosystem.