[Crypto projects](https://revain.org/projects/) › Stacks

# Stacks (STX): how it works, supply and reviews

## In short

- **Type**: Bitcoin layer with its own ledger and execution environment, settling on Bitcoin
- **Issuance**: Miners receive newly minted STX for each block; since PoX-5 the coinbase is 1,000 STX per Bitcoin block with no scheduled reductions (provisional)
- **Risks and caveats**: STX currently has no fixed maximum supply; the emission rate is provisional and may change through future proposals.
- **Checked**: 28 October 2026

## Key facts

- **Ticker**: STX
- **Network**: own blockchain
- **Source code**: [github.com/blockstack](https://github.com/blockstack)

Data: CoinGecko (trading activity) and CoinPaprika (links), 2026-10-27. Only projects that still trade with meaningful volume are listed.

## What is Stacks

Stacks is a Bitcoin layer for smart contracts: it runs its own ledger and apps while settling transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain. STX is its native token, used to reward miners, pay fees and lock up for Bitcoin-denominated staking rewards.

## Network and consensus

| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Bitcoin layer with its own ledger and execution environment, settling on Bitcoin |
| Consensus | Proof of Transfer (PoX): miners spend BTC to win the right to produce blocks and are rewarded in STX |
| Launched | Stacks 2.0 mainnet launched 14 January 2021 |
| Block time | Since the Nakamoto upgrade, transactions confirm in seconds rather than tens of minutes |
| Programming language | Clarity, a decidable smart contract language; node software in Rust |

## Supply and issuance

| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuance | Miners receive newly minted STX for each block; since PoX-5 the coinbase is 1,000 STX per Bitcoin block with no scheduled reductions (provisional) |
| Emission outlook | The future PoX-6 proposal is to reassess the emission schedule |
| Halving | A halving to 500 STX took effect in April 2026 under SIP-029; SIP-045 then restored 1,000 STX |
| Staking rewards | STX holders who lock tokens receive rewards paid in Bitcoin, funded by the BTC miners spend |

## What STX is used for

- Block subsidy that rewards miners for producing Stacks blocks
- Paying transaction (gas) fees
- Locking (staking) to back block signers and earn BTC rewards
- Economic security for the sBTC Bitcoin peg

## Who develops and governs Stacks

- **Governance**: Protocol changes go through Stacks Improvement Proposals (SIPs); hard forks need approval by stacked STX votes
- **Foundation**: The Stacks Endowment manages allowlisted participation in Bitcoin Staking during its bootstrap phase
- **Open source**: Yes; stacks-core is released under GPL-3.0

## History

| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 14 January 2021 | Stacks 2.0 mainnet launches; the first PoX contract goes live the next day. |
| 22 April 2024 | PoX-4 staking contract activated. |
| 2024 | Nakamoto hard fork in Q4 2024 brings faster blocks and 100% Bitcoin finality. |
| April 2026 | First halving under SIP-029 cuts the coinbase from 1,000 to 500 STX per Bitcoin block. |
| 30 July 2026 | PoX-5 (Bitcoin Staking) activates with the Epoch 4.0 hard fork, replacing PoX-4. |

## Security and audits

- Stacks Core and related components have published audit reports; high and critical findings are stated to be mitigated or obsolete.
- Stacks runs an Immunefi bug bounty program and works with embedded security researchers from Asymmetric Research.

## Risks and caveats

- STX currently has no fixed maximum supply; the emission rate is provisional and may change through future proposals.
- Native Bitcoin Staking under PoX-5 is allowlisted, and access is arranged off-chain with the Stacks Endowment.
- STX-only staking locks are capped at 96 reward cycles, and a protocol bond commits funds for about six months.

## Official links

- Website: [www.stacks.co](https://www.stacks.co/)
- Docs: [docs.stacks.co](https://docs.stacks.co/)
- Source code: [github.com/stacks-network/stacks-core](https://github.com/stacks-network/stacks-core)

## Questions and answers

**What is Stacks (STX)?**

Stacks is a Bitcoin layer for smart contracts that settles transactions on Bitcoin. STX is its native token.

**How does Stacks reach consensus?**

Through Proof of Transfer: miners spend BTC for the chance to produce blocks and earn newly minted STX plus fees.

**How many new STX are issued?**

Since PoX-5, miners receive 1,000 STX per Bitcoin block with no scheduled reductions; the future PoX-6 proposal is to reassess the emission schedule.

**How do STX holders earn rewards?**

By locking STX to back block signers, holders receive Bitcoin-denominated rewards funded by miners' BTC.

## Sources

- [CoinGecko — Stacks](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/blockstack)
- [CoinPaprika — Stacks](https://coinpaprika.com/coin/stx-stacks/)
- [Stacks docs — What Is Stacks?](https://docs.stacks.co/learn/stacks-101/what-is-stacks)
- [Stacks docs — Proof of Transfer](https://docs.stacks.co/learn/stacks-101/proof-of-transfer)
- [Stacks docs — Network basics (Tokens)](https://docs.stacks.co/learn/network-fundamentals/network-basics)
- [Stacks docs — Staking](https://docs.stacks.co/learn/block-production/staking)
- [Stacks docs — Bitcoin Staking](https://docs.stacks.co/learn/bitcoin-staking)
- [Stacks docs — What was the Nakamoto Upgrade?](https://docs.stacks.co/learn/block-production/what-was-the-nakamoto-upgrade)
- [Stacks docs — Audits](https://docs.stacks.co/learn/network-fundamentals/audits)
- [SIP-045: PoX-5 Bitcoin Staking and Emission Schedule Alignment](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/stacksgov/sips/main/sips/sip-045/sip-045-pox-5-bitcoin-staking.md)

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Page updated: 2026-10-31

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Source: https://revain.org/projects/blockstack/