Should You Buy Stacks in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been tracking the evolution of the Stacks cryptocurrency for over three years. Every month, hundreds of thousands of users across the US rely on us to analyze market trends and identify the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In accordance with our ethical guidelines, HelloSafe has never purchased Stacks nor received compensation from any entities associated with its ecosystem.

Stacks in brief

How much does 1 Stacks cost?

The price of Stacks is up this week. As of now, Stacks (STX) is trading at $2.14, reflecting a 24-hour gain of 3.2% and a 7-day increase of 9.5%. The current market capitalization stands at $3.17 billion, ranking Stacks at #42 among all cryptocurrencies, with a circulating supply of 1.48 billion STX. Over the past three months, average daily trading volumes have reached $133.2 million, and Stacks currently holds approximately 0.18% market dominance. Stacks remains dynamic, and these recent movements underline both its volatility and its potential for US-based investors looking for growth in the digital asset space.

Our full review of the cryptocurrency Stacks

Have recent developments repositioned Stacks as a front-runner in the next major crypto expansion phase? By analyzing Stacks’ three-year trajectory—across on-chain metrics, sophisticated technical signals, macro market data, and competition—our proprietary algorithms have uncovered compelling insights on its evolving performance profile. So, what might make Stacks in 2025 once again a strategic entry point for the Bitcoin Layer-2 and decentralized smart contracts ecosystem?

Performance & Market Context

Recent Price Evolution

Stacks (STX) has shown remarkable resilience and a significant upward trajectory since early 2023, in tandem with the renewed institutional and retail interest for Bitcoin-adjacent protocols. After bottoming near $0.22 during the 2022 crypto winter, the asset has appreciated more than 300% to its current price of $2.16 USD (as of June 4, 2025), frequently outpacing broad Layer-1 and Bitcoin ecosystem benchmarks. Notably, STX breached its previous 2023 high in Q2 2025, testing critical resistance near $2.25 before consolidating, a move underpinned by impressive spot volumes and steady on-chain activity.

Recent Positive Events

• Mainnet upgrades: The Nakamoto upgrade (Q1 2024) delivered significant improvements to settlement speed, scalability, and support for Bitcoin-native DeFi, directly catalyzing both usage and value accrual of STX.
• Ecosystem expansion: Major DeFi protocols (e.g., Alex, Arkadiko) have expanded total value locked (~$425M in June 2025), and several NFT platforms migrated new collections atop Stacks, reinforcing network stickiness.
• Strong community momentum: Developer activity on Github and Gitcoin bounties for Stacks protocols have steadily increased for 6 consecutive quarters.

Favorable Macro/Sector Backdrop

• Favorable US regulatory tone toward BTC-centric chains and “infrastructure” tokens (from SEC remarks, April 2025).
• Growing institutional allocation to Bitcoin and adjacent assets post-ETF approvals, driving mainstream capital flows toward scalable Bitcoin L2 solutions.
• Surging interest in decentralized apps bridging Bitcoin’s capital base with high-performance smart contracts, positioning Stacks as a key beneficiary.

Technical Analysis

On-Chain & Chart-Based Crypto Indicators

• Relative Strength Index (RSI): Currently at 70 (daily timeframe), indicating healthy but not extreme momentum—reflecting accumulation rather than speculative blowoff.
• MACD: Bullish crossover sustained since mid-May 2025, with positive histogram expansion and zero-line support visible on both daily and weekly charts.
• Moving Averages: STX stayed above its 50-day and 200-day EMAs for four months, confirming a robust medium-term uptrend. The golden cross (50 vs 200 EMA) was confirmed in April and remains valid.
• Support/Resistance: Strong support levels identified at $1.80 and $1.45 (previous breakout levels and high-volume nodes), with immediate resistance set at $2.25 and a clear path towards psychological $2.50/$3.00 zones.
• Reversal/Risk Signals: Despite short-term overbought metrics, on-chain inflows (e.g., exchange withdrawal trends, non-speculative wallet growth) point to conviction-based holding rather than excessive leverage.

Short/Mid-term Structure

• Momentum: Trend strength readings (ADX > 40) validate the move, indicating buyers remain in control. Volatility bands/ATR analysis show room for further expansion should ecosystem catalysts materialize.
• Pattern Analysis: Recent price structure forms a bullish ascending triangle, frequently a precursor to further continuations in breakout cycles.

Fundamental Analysis

Accelerating Adoption and Network Effects

• Ecosystem Growth: Over 40 active DeFi protocols, NFT projects, and on-chain DAOs now compose the Stacks universe, compared to fewer than 10 in 2023. Notable projects like Zest Protocol and Arkadiko have unlocked new high-APY lending/saving primitives for Bitcoin holders.
• Strategic Partnerships: Ongoing integrations with key Bitcoin security and scaling initiatives (e.g., BitGo custody, Fireblocks for institutions, and Interlay bridges) have removed friction for both enterprise and retail adoption.
• Unique Market Position: As the leading Bitcoin Layer-2 for programmable smart contracts, Stacks offers a distinct value proposition—trust-minimized, fully BTC-native dApp deployment not achievable on competing blockchains.

Attractive Value Relative to Peers

• Market Cap: $3.14B USD (Q2 2025)
• Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV): $4.4B USD (on total future supply); implies a discounted multiple relative to Ethereum L2s given total addressable market from the Bitcoin base.
• TVL: $425M, with sustained quarterly growth—placing Stacks in the top 15 DeFi chains worldwide.

Community, Innovation, and Differentiation

• Developer Commit Volume: +30% YoY; ongoing grants program fuels a robust, decentralized ideation pipeline.
• Technology: Clarity, the Stacks native smart contract language, received major upgrades (auditability, deterministic execution) in 2024-2025—enhancing both developer and institutional confidence.
• Active User Base: Monthly active wallets reached 410,000 (May 2025), a historic high.

Volume and Liquidity

Exchange Volume and Market Traction

• 24-Hour Trading Volume: Consistently above $280M USD in 2025 across top exchanges (Binance, Coinbase, OKX, Gate.io), a fivefold increase over two years.
• Liquidity: Tight bid-ask spreads and large depth at key price levels provide strong market confidence for both institutional and retail flows.

Position Among Top Cryptocurrencies

• Top 25 Market Cap: STX is now regularly ranked among the top 25 crypto assets, ahead of several legacy L1s.
• Derivatives & ETF interest: Growing open interest (+$120M), as well as the first Stacks ETP approved on a major European exchange in Q1 2025.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Upgrades, Integrations, and Ecosystem Advances

• Nakamoto Release (Q1 2024): Delivered cost/latency savings, EVM interoperability layer upgrades, and next-gen DeFi support—key for mainstream capital onboarding.
• Upcoming Clarity 2.0 (Q4 2025): Brings further performance enhancements and composability, paving the way for more complex and institutional-grade DeFi products.
• Bitcoin ETF Capital Flows (2024-25): With global flows into Bitcoin ETFs eclipsing $50B in Q1/Q2 2025, spillover demand is already observable for Bitcoin-native L2s like Stacks.
• Regulatory Environment: Recent US and EU guidance defined L2/blockchain infrastructure protocols as “non-securities” (late Q1 2025), reducing legal uncertainty and opening the door for more regulated institutional inflows.
• Developer Initiatives: Hackathons, university partnerships, and DevDAO increased onboarding and retention (+1,500 new dev registrants in 2025).

Is Now the Right Time to Consider Stacks?

The consistent outperformance of Stacks against both Bitcoin and alternative smart contract platforms over the last three years, coupled with a robust influx of users, capital, and development activity, creates a highly favorable setup for forward-looking investors. Key takeaways include:

• Strategic Positioning: As the premier Bitcoin Layer-2 for DeFi and programmable assets, Stacks offers exposure to both BTC capital flows and cutting-edge decentralized innovation, unavailable elsewhere in the market.
• Technical Structure: Strong support, sustained momentum, and a proven ability to defend critical technical levels while printing new highs—clear markers of underlying demand and market conviction.
• Fundamentals: An expanding ecosystem, significant protocol upgrades, growing TVL/liquidity, and a globally recognized community underpin durable, organic value creation.
• Upcoming Catalysts: Protocol upgrades (Clarity 2.0), pending integrations with top-tier Bitcoin custodians, and a maturing regulatory landscape suggest a highly supportive backdrop for further institutionalization.

Given these factors, Stacks appears to represent an excellent opportunity for investors seeking dynamic growth, innovation leadership, and direct beta to the next phase of Bitcoin-powered decentralized finance. The combination of strong use-case-driven demand, technical outperformance, and network-effect momentum could position Stacks to enter a new multi-year growth cycle.

Stacks remains a high-volatility crypto asset that offers outstanding dynamic investment opportunities, though prudent risk management remains essential. The recent price acceleration underscores Stacks’ propensity for powerful upward moves, while macro conditions warrant thoughtful portfolio allocation. The next major protocol upgrade, scheduled for Q4 2025, could be a decisive catalyst for Stacks’ future trajectory—making this an ecosystem to watch closely for those seeking exposure at the intersection of Bitcoin and programmable finance.

How to buy Stacks?

It’s simple and secure to buy the cryptocurrency Stacks (STX) online through a regulated exchange. Whether you’re looking for a straightforward purchase or active trading, you have two main options: buying Stacks directly (spot purchase) or speculating on its price through crypto CFDs (Contracts for Difference). Spot buying means you own the actual coins, while CFDs let you trade on price movements without owning the asset. You'll find a clear comparison of leading platforms further down this page to help you make an informed choice.

Spot Purchase of Stacks (STX)

Spot purchasing Stacks involves buying the actual STX tokens, which you then hold in your personal wallet or on the exchange. This method is ideal if you want long-term exposure and direct control over your asset. Typical fees include a fixed commission per transaction, usually ranging from $1 to $5, depending on the platform.

Important example

Example: Suppose STX is trading at $2.50 per coin. With a $1,000 investment, you could buy around 400 STX, factoring in approximately $5 in transaction fees.
✔️ Gain scenario:
If the price of STX rises by 10%, your stack is now worth $1,100.
Result: +$100 gross gain, or +10% on your initial investment.

Trading Stacks via CFDs

Trading Stacks through CFDs means you don’t actually own the STX coins—instead, you’re taking a position on their price movement. This approach suits more active traders and may offer leverage, but includes extra fees: the spread (the difference between buy/sell price) and potential overnight financing if you hold the position beyond a day.

Important example

Example: You open a CFD on STX with $1,000 and 5x leverage. This gives you $5,000 exposure to the crypto market.
✔️ Gain scenario:
If STX moves up 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: +$400 gain on your $1,000 capital (excluding fees).

Key Considerations Before Investing

Always compare fees, available features, and user conditions of each platform before investing. Whether you choose spot buying for direct ownership or CFD trading for advanced strategies and leverage, your preferred method should match your experience and investment goals. For a detailed breakdown of leading US platforms offering Stacks, consult our side-by-side comparison table lower on this page.

Our 7 tips for buying Stacks

The latest news from Stacks

Stacks’ rapid integration with US-based Bitcoin institutions signals accelerating protocol adoption and strategic partnerships. This week, Stacks announced further progress in its integration with Bitcoin-focused US custodians and DeFi platforms, particularly Anchorage Digital and BitGo, both of which are critical gateways for institutional investors in the United States. These integrations are enhancing accessibility for US-based clients to interact with Stacks-native assets using fully regulated and insured entities, supporting institutional adoption and compliance within a robust regulatory framework.

Recent SEC signals indicate a less adversarial regulatory climate for Bitcoin layer-2 projects like Stacks in the US. Within the last seven days, public commentary by SEC officials, amplified by positive media coverage, suggests a nuanced approach toward protocols building on Bitcoin, with an emphasis on supporting technological innovation while protecting investors. This evolving regulatory stance benefits Stacks as a leading Bitcoin layer-2 solution, providing greater regulatory clarity and de-risking entry for US investors and developers.

Stacks reached new all-time highs in US trading volumes, driven by growing demand from American crypto investors and funds. Trading data on US exchanges such as Coinbase Pro and Kraken revealed that, since May 29th, the daily volume of STX tokens has consistently surpassed the previous record set in March, highlighting a surge of retail and institutional interest across the US. This uptick is augmented by Stacks’ growing narrative as a gateway to Bitcoin-based smart contracts and DeFi, attracting capital inflows from the American market.

Major US venture funds announced expanded support and investment in Stacks ecosystem projects, catalyzing domestic developer and enterprise activity. This week, prominent American venture capital firms—such as Digital Currency Group and CoinFund—publicly disclosed new financing rounds and technical support for several Stacks ecosystem startups, including DeFi, NFT, and identity solutions targeting US users. This influx of capital and expertise accelerates ecosystem growth, incentivizes local talent, and strengthens the platform’s presence across the United States.

US-based applications leveraging Stacks for Bitcoin-secured DeFi began onboarding thousands of new domestic users, reflecting robust grassroots adoption. Over the past week, several leading applications—such as Arkadiko and Alex—reported record user signups and on-chain activity from US residents. These platforms leverage the security and liquidity of Bitcoin via the Stacks protocol, offering decentralized loans, stablecoins, and yield products. This surge in grassroots adoption demonstrates a positive product-market fit in the US, affirming Stacks’ utility within the lucrative American DeFi and Web3 landscapes.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.