What is Stacks? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Stacks at a glance.

Stacks adds smart contracts and decentralized apps to Bitcoin without changing Bitcoin itself. Transactions settle to the Bitcoin chain, so Stacks inherits Bitcoin security while running its own programmable layer. Here is how it works and how it is used, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

n/a

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Stacks. Updated Jun 2, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

STX

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live STX price.

How it works

How Stacks works.

Miners spend Bitcoin to compete for the right to mine STX blocks, and that spent BTC is distributed to STX holders who lock, or "Stack", their tokens. Stackers earn BTC rewards for helping secure the network, and Stacks blocks are anchored to Bitcoin so transactions gain Bitcoin finality.

Consensus: Proof of Transfer (PoX)

Miners spend Bitcoin to compete for the right to mine STX blocks, and that spent BTC is distributed to STX holders who lock, or "Stack", their tokens. Stackers earn BTC rewards for helping secure the network, and Stacks blocks are anchored to Bitcoin so transactions gain Bitcoin finality.

A layer on Bitcoin

Stacks runs as a separate layer that connects to Bitcoin, so apps can use Bitcoin as a settlement base while running logic Bitcoin itself does not support.

Clarity smart contracts

Contracts are written in Clarity, a language designed to be predictable and easy to audit, with no compiler step that hides behavior.

Proof of Transfer

PoX recycles Bitcoin into the network: miners bid BTC and Stackers receive it, linking the two chains economically.

Nakamoto upgrade

The Nakamoto upgrade improved block speed and strengthened how Stacks blocks reach Bitcoin finality.

Ecosystem & usage

What Stacks is used for.

Stacks is used to build decentralized apps, financial tools, and digital assets that settle back to Bitcoin.

Bitcoin DeFi

Lending, trading, and other financial apps that use Bitcoin as a base asset.

Stacking for BTC

Locking STX to help secure the network and earn Bitcoin rewards.

Apps and assets

Smart contracts, tokens, and digital collectibles built with Clarity.

In the Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend STX.

Stacks is integrated in the Zypto App. Hold STX in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold STX in Zypto How to buy STX

Be the reason Stacks ships next.

Stacks isn’t in the Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is Stacks?

Stacks is a layer that brings smart contracts and decentralized apps to Bitcoin, with transactions settling to the Bitcoin chain.

What is Proof of Transfer?

PoX is the consensus method where miners spend BTC to mine STX blocks and STX holders who Stack their tokens earn BTC rewards.

What language are Stacks contracts written in?

Smart contracts on Stacks use Clarity, a language built to be predictable and easy to audit.

Can I hold STX in the Zypto App?

Not yet. STX isn't in the Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Stacks using the "Request Stacks" button above.

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