Welcome to Stacks
An Ecosystem Guide To Take You From Introduction to Action
Welcome to Stacks.
Stacks is the leading Bitcoin Layer 2. Stacks enables smart contracts and decentralized applications to use Bitcoin as a secure base layer. Stacks extends the capabilities of Bitcoin without changing Bitcoin, unlocking billions in latent capital.
Stacks is the leading Bitcoin Layer 2. Stacks enables smart contracts and decentralized applications to use Bitcoin as a secure base layer. Stacks extends the capabilities of Bitcoin without changing Bitcoin, unlocking billions in latent capital.
Why Stacks?
Building on Bitcoin is a big opportunity. But Bitcoin has always been hard to build on.
Stacks helps builders build on Bitcoin.
Stacks helps builders build on Bitcoin.
The Building on Bitcoin Opportunity
Bitcoin boasts a market cap of over $1T. It is easily accessible across the globe and continues to see retail and institutional adoption.
Bitcoin's security and longevity are unmatched. A transaction is nearly impossible to reverse or change once it has settled on Bitcoin.
These settlement assurances are critical to the base layer of a network of decentralized apps.
These settlement assurances are critical to the base layer of a network of decentralized apps.
The world is converging on Bitcoin as a standard, and demand for use cases around Bitcoin is increasing.
However, Building On Bitcoin is Hard (Without Stacks)
Bitcoin has constraints that have made it historically difficult to build on. These features are by design, providing stability at the base layer.
When compared to other blockchains, Bitcoin is slow.
The Bitcoin network takes about 10 minutes to confirm a transaction. And, to ensure security, the network generally needs 6 confirmations before considering a transaction complete.
As a general approximation, Bitcoin transactions take about an hour to complete.
This slow confirmation time is a major roadblock when building applications on Bitcoin's base layer.
The Bitcoin network takes about 10 minutes to confirm a transaction. And, to ensure security, the network generally needs 6 confirmations before considering a transaction complete.
As a general approximation, Bitcoin transactions take about an hour to complete.
This slow confirmation time is a major roadblock when building applications on Bitcoin's base layer.
Bitcoin’s block size and block time design constraints limit its transaction throughput, resulting in high transaction fees.
As more people want to use the network, the fees increase. It is highly unlikely that these design parameters will change.
As such, small or frequent transactions critical to building applications on Bitcoin are cost-prohibitive.
As more people want to use the network, the fees increase. It is highly unlikely that these design parameters will change.
As such, small or frequent transactions critical to building applications on Bitcoin are cost-prohibitive.
Bitcoin's scripting language is limited and does not natively support smart contracts.
Rather than using an account model that enables smart contracts, Bitcoin uses an unspent transaction output (UTXO) model.
In addition, Bitcoin Script is a limited programming language that prevents on-chain smart contracts altogether.
Rather than using an account model that enables smart contracts, Bitcoin uses an unspent transaction output (UTXO) model.
In addition, Bitcoin Script is a limited programming language that prevents on-chain smart contracts altogether.
Stacks is the Solution: Building On Bitcoin Is Now Possible
Bitcoin's structural limitations at the base layer create the opportunity for Bitcoin layers.
Layer 2s like Stacks are needed to improve scalability and programmability for Bitcoin while maintaining the security level Bitcoin brings.
With rapid block times, Bitcoin-finality, and a decentralized way to deposit and withdraw BTC to and from the L2, Stacks is best positioned to help Bitcoin meet this demand.
Layer 2s like Stacks are needed to improve scalability and programmability for Bitcoin while maintaining the security level Bitcoin brings.
With rapid block times, Bitcoin-finality, and a decentralized way to deposit and withdraw BTC to and from the L2, Stacks is best positioned to help Bitcoin meet this demand.
Stacks is the Leading Bitcoin L2
The data supports the narrative
Stacks is gaining traction
Source: Signal21 (Chart Updated June 4, 2024)
Source: Signal21 (Chart Updated June 4, 2024)
Chart via Electric Capital's Developer Report, updated June 6th 2024
Applications building on Stacks are also growing
Chat via DeFiLlama
Read our post covering the top DeFi applications on Stacks
Stacks was early. And it's here to stay.
Stacks isn't just jumping on the hot Bitcoin Layers trend
2017
Muneeb Ali releases the original whitepaper
2019
Stacks token releases via the first-ever SEC-qualified token offering
2021
After 2 years of building, Stacks launches on mainnet
2022
sBTC whitepaper was released along with plans for the 2024 Nakamoto Release
2024
Now, the Bitcoin Renaissance is in full force—there are 30+ companies in the ecosystem, growing protocol and application traction, and millions in fundraising momentum
Beyond
Later in 2024, the Nakamoto Upgrade will bring 100% Bitcoin finality, fast blocks, and lay the groundwork for sBTC. sBTC enables seamless movement of BTC between the L1 & L2 unlocking $1T in dormant capital
Stacks was Designed for Bitcoin
Stacks is the leading Bitcoin Layer-2, enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications to use Bitcoin as a secure base layer.
Proof of TransferProof-of-Transfer consensus means all transactions on Stacks are settled to Bitcoin, allowing applications to leverage Bitcoin’s security without modifying the Bitcoin L1.
Clarity Programming LanguageClarity is a decidable smart contract language that optimizes for predictability and security, designed for the Stacks blockchain. Smart contracts allow developers to encode essential business logic on a blockchain. The design decisions behind Clarity were based heavily on taking lessons learned in common Solidity exploits and creating a language that has been purpose-built for safety and security in mind.
sBTCsBTC is a 1:1 Bitcoin-backed asset that will enable trust-minimized movement of BTC in and out of the Stacks L2. This effectively enables 'writing to Bitcoin', offering a programmable version of BTC to developers who want to create apps and smart contracts for Bitcoin.
NakamotoThe Nakamoto upgrade is an expected upgrade to the Stacks layer that enables faster blocks, full Bitcoin finality, and a number of network performance enhancements. Nakamoto sets the stage for Bitcoin DeFi and prepares the network to support sBTC.
Get Started on Stacks
Whether you're a builder, investor, or somewhere in between, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
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Build your first dApp on Bitcoin with EasyA
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