What is Bitcoin Staking on Stacks?
It is a protocol-bond model for earning BTC-denominated yield from Stacks miner activity. The self-custodial path locks BTC on Bitcoin L1 for the bond term and pairs it with an STX position.
Bitcoin Staking on Stacks is live.
Learn how BTC holders can earn Bitcoin-denominated rewards through Stacks.
Stacks Bitcoin Staking
A practical guide to Bitcoin Staking on Stacks: mechanics, rewards, bonding periods, STX requirements, risks, and participation.
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What is Bitcoin Staking on Stacks?
Bitcoin Staking on Stacks lets eligible BTC positions earn BTC-denominated rewards through Proof of Transfer. The self-custodial path keeps BTC timelocked on Bitcoin L1.
Up to 0.5% APY in sBTC
Bitcoin Staking
Dual Stacking
Up to 5% APY
in sBTC
in sBTC
Hold sBTC & boost with STX Stacking or DeFi
~9% APY in BTC
STX Stacking
Current target: ~3% BTC APY during bootstrap; realized rewards can vary.
Read FAQ to learn how the boost economics workHow it works
How does Stacks Bitcoin Staking work?
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1Mint sBTC
Self-custodial Bitcoin Staking locks BTC on Bitcoin L1 for the bonding term and pairs it with STX. The BTC does not need to be bridged or wrapped on this path.
Go to sBTC Bridge -
2Multiply with STX
The STX position supports the protocol bond and determines capacity. STX Stacking is a separate Stacks consensus activity that earns BTC from miner commitments through Proof of Transfer.
Learn more about Stacking -
3Deploy in DeFi
Use your sBTC across Stacks protocols while still
Explore Stacks' DeFi protocols
earning rewards. Your sBTC works in DeFi and
earns yield simultaneously. -
4Get paid in sBTC
All rewards distributed in sBTC, redeemable 1:1 for
BTC anytime.
Bitcoin Staking: custody and security
Why Stacks Bitcoin Staking is different
Bitcoin stays on Bitcoin L1 on the self-custodial path
sBTC is secured by a decentralized signer network using threshold-signature consensus. Signers can only co-sign smart contract-defined transactions.
Proof of Transfer has paid BTC rewards since 2021
Since December 2024, the Signer network has processed real Bitcoin transactions collectively, removing single-operator risk.
BTC Staking and the Stacks ecosystem
Deploy sBTC across Stacks protocols while earning Dual Stacking rewards. Put your bitcoin to work in DeFi and keep earning —without relying on custodians.
Where BTC staking rewards come from
Stacks is the only blockchain with Proof of Transfer — a consensus mechanism that directly channels Bitcoin from miners to participants who secure the network.
Dive into the technicals
Stacks Bitcoin Staking: current guide
As of October 4, 2026, Bitcoin Staking on Stacks is in its live bootstrap phase. The Genesis Bond launched on September 10, 2026. In its first 14 days, participants bonded 230 BTC alongside 3.57M STX and received 0.28 BTC in rewards. Bonding Period 2 is scheduled to open October 10, 2026 with 500 BTC of capacity.
How does it work?
Stacks miners commit BTC through Proof of Transfer. Protocol bonds receive their allocation first, with the remaining miner BTC flowing through the existing PoX reward structure.
BTC staking rewards
The current target is approximately 3% APY, annualized over a Bitcoin year and paid in BTC. A six-month bond is about 1.44% at the target rate, but realized yield can vary and the target is not guaranteed.
Bonding Period 2
The second bonding period is scheduled for October 10, 2026 with 500 BTC capacity. Capacity, rates and participation rules can change as the bootstrap phase develops.
Stacks staking vs traditional staking
STX Stacking locks STX to support Stacks consensus and earns BTC from miner commitments. Bitcoin Staking instead creates a BTC/STX protocol bond designed to pay BTC yield to the bonded BTC position.
Is Stacks Bitcoin Staking safe?
The self-custodial route avoids a centralized custodian and keeps BTC on Bitcoin L1 under the participant's control, but it still has protocol, liquidity, STX exposure and market risks. Pooled routes have different custody assumptions.
Frequently asked questions
How do I participate in Stacks Bitcoin Staking?
Participation depends on the current bonding period and route. During bootstrap, direct self-custodial access is limited to approved participants, while pooled routes can provide access without the same direct-bond requirements. Verify capacity and eligibility on the official Stacks staking interface.
Do I need STX to stake Bitcoin on Stacks?
Yes. The current protocol-bond design pairs BTC with an STX position worth roughly 5% of the BTC position.
How often are rewards paid?
Rewards are distributed on Bitcoin-week cycles, approximately every 1,050 Bitcoin blocks or about seven days.
Have questions?
We’ve got
answers
Bitcoin Staking rewards are sourced from BTC
committed by Stacks miners through Proof of Transfer (PoX). The protocol-bond model directs
BTC-denominated rewards to eligible participants according to the current Stacks rules.
Rewards are distributed on Bitcoin-week cycles,
approximately every 1,050 Bitcoin blocks. The exact realized amount can vary with protocol conditions and
the BTC committed by participating miners.
The current bootstrap target is approximately 3%
APY. That is an annualized target, not a guaranteed return. Actual BTC rewards depend on the active bond,
reward distribution and protocol conditions.
Bitcoin Staking and STX Stacking are related
through the Stacks Proof of Transfer reward system but are different participation paths. Bitcoin Staking
rewards are funded from BTC committed by miners, while STX Stacking has its own reward mechanics.
No staking or DeFi product is risk-free. In the
self-custodial route, BTC can remain timelocked on Bitcoin L1, but users should consider bonding duration,
liquidity, protocol changes, smart-contract or infrastructure risks, and the difference between target and
realized yield.