Stacks price

Reference · reviewed 14 Nov 2026

What Stacks is

Stacks is a blockchain network built as a layer on Bitcoin. Its design goal is to bring smart contracts and decentralized applications to Bitcoin without changing Bitcoin itself. Contracts execute in the Stacks environment, while network history is anchored to Bitcoin. This allows developers to build applications using Bitcoin as the underlying settlement layer. Stacks uses proof of history to order events and proof of work to help secure that ordering. For readers, it is useful to think of Stacks as infrastructure for contracts, applications and token transfers, not as a claim on a company or physical product.

What STX is used for

STX is the native token of the Stacks network. It is used to pay network transaction fees, including the execution of smart contracts, and holders can send it to other addresses as a way of transferring value. STX can also be locked through stacking. In return for locking the token and participating in consensus, a participant can receive STX rewards. Holding STX also supports participation in governance because holders can vote on proposed network changes. These uses connect the token to network activity, security and decision-making.

Supply

As of November 2026, Stacks has a circulating supply of 1,799,971,760 STX and a total supply of 1,799,973,235 STX. Its maximum supply is 1,818,000,000 STX, with 99% of that maximum issued. A maximum supply places a limit on how much of the token may be created. Unlike an uncapped token, it cannot continue increasing indefinitely. However, holders can still face dilution while issuance remains below the maximum, so a cap reduces the scope for future increases without removing that risk entirely.

How Stacks has traded

STX first traded in March 2021 at $1.28. Its all-time high was $3.84, recorded on 1 April 2024. These points describe the beginning of its public trading history and its strongest recorded price, rather than current conditions. Its annualised volatility is 86%, indicating substantial variation in returns over an annualised period. The deepest fall from a peak during the past year was -69.7%. Such history illustrates the scale of price movement that can affect a holder, but it does not indicate where the token will trade next.

Risks to understand

Stacks carries several kinds of risk that should be considered alongside its design and supply figures:

• Technology risk: Smart contracts, network software and upgrades may contain defects or create unexpected outcomes.
• Underlying-layer risk: Changes or disruption affecting Bitcoin settlement can affect the availability or operation of the Stacks layer.
• Market risk: High volatility can produce substantial gains or losses over short periods, including sharp falls from earlier peaks.
• Regulatory risk: Rules affecting digital assets, staking, exchanges or blockchain intermediaries may change and restrict participation.
• Concentration risk: Large holdings can give some participants disproportionate influence over governance and network participation.
• Custody risk: Lost private keys, compromised accounts or failed services can prevent access to held tokens.