Stacks (formerly Blockstack) is a decentralized platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps) to run on Bitcoin, extending Bitcoin's functionality without altering its core features. By leveraging Bitcoin's security and stability, Stacks allows developers to build on the world’s most secure blockchain. The platform uses the Clarity smart contract language, known for its predictability and security, distinguishing itself from other contract languages by ensuring developers know the exact behavior of their contracts before execution.
Originally developed by Blockstack PBC and co-founded by Muneeb Ali and Ryan Shea, the project was born from academic research and evolved into a broader ecosystem. Key milestones include the launch of the Blockstack browser in 2017, which provided early access to DApps, and a regulated token offering under SEC Regulation A+ in 2019, making Blockstack one of the first blockchain projects to conduct such an offering.
In 2021, Stacks 2.0 introduced major advancements like Proof-of-Transfer (PoX), connecting Stacks’ consensus directly to Bitcoin while enabling smart contracts via Clarity.
By 2024, Stacks had implemented the Nakamoto upgrade, a significant advancement aimed at improving transaction speeds and finality guarantees. This upgrade also introduced sBTC, a trustless, Bitcoin-backed asset, unlocking new opportunities for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications built on Bitcoin. The Nakamoto upgrade has further cemented Stacks' role as a leading Layer 2 solution for Bitcoin, enabling smart contract functionality and transforming BTC into a fully programmable asset.
Above are only for introduction, not intended as investment advice.
