Stacks Activates PoX-5, Lays Groundwork for Bitcoin Staking

Stacks, the protocol that enables self-custodial Bitcoin yield and a growing ecosystem of Bitcoin-native financial applications, has successfully activated its latest upgrade, PoX-5. This upgrade lays the foundation for Bitcoin staking, allowing Bitcoin holders to earn yield through Bitcoin Bonds while preserving existing rewards for STX-only stakers.

According to Muneeb Ali, Founder of Stacks, 'PoX-5 marks the first step in anchoring Bitcoin capital to Stacks.' The PoX-5 upgrade simplifies the staking experience by removing cooldown cycles and streamlining pooled participation. It also introduces Bitcoin Bonds at the protocol level, allowing eligible participants to pair BTC held on Bitcoin Layer 1 with STX on Stacks.

The participation in Bitcoin Bonds will begin through a phased rollout, starting with the institutional Genesis Bond. Broader access will follow through selected staking pools as capacity expands.