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.
Why Stacks?
Building on Bitcoin is a big opportunity. But Bitcoin has always been hard to build on.

Stacks helps builders build on Bitcoin.
The Building on Bitcoin Opportunity
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.
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.
Stacks is the Leading Bitcoin L2
The data supports the narrative
Stacks is gaining traction
Applications building on Stacks are also growing
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 Transfer
    Proof-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 Language
    Clarity 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.
  • sBTC
    sBTC 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.
  • Nakamoto
    The 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.
Start Building
Start Exploring
Start a Conversation