How to Buy Stacks (STX): Smart Contracts for Bitcoin Explained
Stacks is a network that adds smart contracts and apps to Bitcoin. We explain how it's connected to BTC, what makes STX risky and how to buy it step by step.
What Is Stacks
On its own, Bitcoin can barely handle smart contracts. Stacks is a separate network that records its data on the Bitcoin blockchain and lets developers build apps on top of it: swaps, lending, NFTs. Contracts are written in the Clarity language.
The consensus mechanism is called Proof of Transfer: Stacks miners spend BTC for the right to create a block, and STX holders who have locked up their coins ("stacking") can receive part of that BTC. The amount is not fixed.
For more on Bitcoin itself, see how to buy Bitcoin.
STX Risks
- Dependence on interest in Bitcoin apps. If few people use them, there's nowhere for demand for STX to come from.
- Competitors. Other projects are building Bitcoin solutions too.
- Stacking is not a deposit. Your coins are locked for a period, and the reward varies.
- Volatility is higher than BTC's own.
Buying STX: Step-by-Step Guide
- Account. You need a major exchange with a liquid STX/USDT pair. No account yet? See how to open a crypto exchange account.
- Security. Verification, an authenticator app and an anti-phishing code, all before you fund your balance.
- USDT. Buy it via P2P or with a card: how to fund your account via P2P.
- Order. Spot → STX/USDT → limit order. To decide how much to buy, read how to calculate position size.
- Stop-loss. In trading, it's mandatory on every trade. How to choose the levels: take-profit and stop-loss. Aspiro Trade has signals on 45 assets, each listing the entry, target and stop-loss up front. Check the app to see whether the coin you want is covered.
- Storage. STX is the native coin of the Stacks network, and you don't withdraw it to the Bitcoin network. A wallet that supports Stacks works for storage; choose the Stacks network when withdrawing.
How to Store STX
| Your goal | Best place to keep it | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Trading, short-term trades | In your exchange spot account | 2FA and a unique password |
| Holding for months | A wallet that supports Stacks | Write the seed phrase on paper and never show it to anyone |
| Large amount | Hardware wallet | Buy only from an official seller |
Our partner link. If you decide to open an OKX account, please sign up through it: it's free for you and doesn't change any of the terms. If you trade, the exchange pays Aspiro a partner bonus, which goes toward developing our apps and the free Academy. We have no access to your account, your money or your trades.
- Understand what STX is for before you buy.
- Invest only spare money you can afford to lose.
- Trading? Always use a stop-loss. Holding long term? Keep it in your own wallet.
- Double-check the network when withdrawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is STX the same as Bitcoin?
No. It is a separate coin of the Stacks network. The network is connected to Bitcoin, but STX and BTC are different assets.
What is STX stacking?
Locking up your coins for a set period, for which you can receive rewards in BTC. The reward amount is not fixed.
Can I send STX to a Bitcoin address?
No. Stacks has its own addresses. When withdrawing, choose the Stacks network and double-check the address.
Start with free education
A step-by-step OKX guide and free Aspiro Academy courses: 26 lessons on investing and trading from scratch, with practice and a certificate.