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updatedAt: 2026-06-09T12:38:40.000Z
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Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.blockdaemon.com/llms.txt. Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. Append .md to any documentation page URL to get its markdown version.

# Stacks

## About Stacks

Stacks is a Bitcoin L2 that enables <Glossary>smart contracts</Glossary> and decentralized applications to use Bitcoin as a secure base layer. The native token on the network is Stacks (**STX**) which is used for <Glossary>smart contracts</Glossary> execution, transaction processing, and digital asset registration on the Stacks blockchain.

## About Stacking

Stacks introduces the concept of "**Stacking**", where you temporarily lock up your tokens to participate in the Stacks network's security and earn BTC rewards.

Here are the key points of Stacking:

<Table align={["left","left"]}>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>
        Parameters
      </th>

      <th>
        Stacks
      </th>
    </tr>
  </thead>

  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>
        Stacking Options
      </td>

      <td>
        To stack your tokens and contribute to the Stacks' consensus mechanism, you have several options:  

        * In a pool
        * On an exchange
        * Liquid stacking
        * Do it yourself (solo stacking).\ <br/> Learn more [here](https://www.stacks.co/learn/stacking) .
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Minimum Staking Amount
      </td>

      <td>
        The minimum STX for Stacking is dynamic. Currently, the minimum threshold for Stacking is **130,000 STX**.  

        For Liquid Stacking, no minimum required.
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Reward Cycle
      </td>

      <td>
        The total length of the cycle is 2100 BTC blocks. Each block is generated approximately every 20 seconds, with an average cycle duration of 14 days.  

        The preparation phase is 100 blocks.
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Unbonding Time
      </td>

      <td>
        It is up to 15 days, depending on when the STX is stacked in the 15-day Stacks cycle.
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Slashing Risk
      </td>

      <td>
        There is no slashing mechanism for Stacks.
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Staking Rewards Distribution
      </td>

      <td>
        Stacking rewards are paid in BTC, not STX. At the end of the cycle, the original STX tokens will be unlocked to participate without any deduction.
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Staking Rewards Compound
      </td>

      <td>
        You don’t compound earnings through STX. You only receive the original STX you locked up.
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</Table>

## Nakamoto Upgrade: Blockdaemon’s Role

As part of the [Stacks Nakamoto upgrade](https://docs.stacks.co/nakamoto-upgrade/what-is-the-nakamoto-release), Blockdaemon will serve as a **Signer**. As a Signer, we sign and validate blocks produced by Stacks miners, verify sBTC mint and redeem transactions, and secure BTC rewards for our work.

To receive PoX rewards for stacking STX tokens, Stackers must either become Signers themselves or delegate this responsibility to a trusted Signer like **Blockdaemon**.

## 👋 Need Help?

Contact us through [email](mailto:support@blockdaemon.com) or our [support page](https://www.blockdaemon.com/support) for any issues, bugs, or assistance you may need.