Should You Buy Stacks in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been closely monitoring the development of the Stacks cryptocurrency for over three years. Every month, hundreds of thousands of users in Australia trust us to analyse market trends and identify the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In line with our ethical charter, HelloSafe has never purchased Stacks nor received any compensation from entities associated with its ecosystem.

Stacks at a glance

How much does 1 Stacks cost?

The price of Stacks is down this week. As of today, STX is trading at around $0.70 AUD, marking a daily drop of -6.2% and a decrease of -14% compared to last week. The market capitalisation stands at approximately $1.05 billion AUD, with an average daily trading volume over the past three months of about $60 million AUD. Stacks currently ranks 44th by market cap, has a circulating supply close to 1.52 billion STX, and represents about 0.08% of the total crypto market. Despite recent volatility, Stacks remains an asset to watch for investors seeking exposure to Bitcoin’s evolving DeFi potential.

Our complete review of the Stacks cryptocurrency

Stacks has captured substantial attention within the Bitcoin Layer-2 landscape, but does the convergence of its latest trends and three-year evolution signal an emerging opportunity? By combining on-chain indicators, technical signals, market data, and competitive dynamics through proprietary algorithms, we dissect Stacks’ recent performance and underlying setup. So, why might Stacks in 2025 once again represent a strategic entry point within the Bitcoin smart contract and DeFi ecosystem?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Price Evolution

Over the past three years, Stacks (STX) has demonstrated hallmark volatility typical of high-quality Layer-2 assets, moving from a historic low of $0.21 in December 2022 to a breathtaking all-time high of $3.84 in March 2024, before recalibrating towards the $0.70 zone as of June 2025. This correction, representing over a 60% retracement from cycle highs, has notably improved the risk-reward profile for new entries. Current market capitalization hovers between $997 million and $1.13 billion—with a circulating supply approaching 1.53 billion STX and robust 24-hour trading volumes around $39–42 million.

Positive Recent Events

Several inflection points have catalysed sentiment. The December 2024 mainnet launch of sBTC—unlocking native Bitcoin for DeFi via Stacks—fundamentally expanded the protocol’s value proposition. Partnerships with Bitfinex (as STX network signer and exchange partner), Sui Foundation, and Hex Trust (institutional custody expansion) signal a decisive pivot toward broader market adoption and institutional credibility. Notably, developer activity and integrations across chains position Stacks as a critical enabler in BTC-collateralised DeFi.

Favourable Macro and Sector Backdrop

The crypto sector, especially Bitcoin-centric infrastructure, operates in an environment of renewed institutional appetite and regulatory momentum—factors now visible in the expanding Layer-2 narrative and TVL projections for the Bitcoin ecosystem (>$10B possible by late 2025). Capital rotation from risk-on altcoins toward infrastructure protocols is driving attention to assets like Stacks, which bridge Bitcoin’s network with advanced programmability.

Technical Analysis

Relevant Crypto Indicators

• RSI (14-day): Hovering between 30.4 and 41.8, RSI readings place STX firmly in oversold to neutral territory—a historical precursor to mid-cycle reversals among quality assets.
• MACD: Bearish on the short-term, with values slightly negative (-0.017 to -0.02), signalling continuing but potentially waning bearish momentum. Coupled with an oversold Williams %R (-86.44), this suggests exhaustion of recent sellers.

Solid Support, Bullish Reversal Signals

Key support zones at $0.52, $0.57, and $0.60 have repeatedly absorbed downside pressure, despite sharp drawdowns. The resilience of these bases is technically significant: price action below $0.70 has historically coincided with a return of large buyers, while the next major resistance sits at $1.03. Patterns of stalling momentum and positive divergence on daily oscillators are emerging, laying the groundwork for a potential reversal should macro market tone improve.

Momentum and Short/Mid-Term Setup

While caution is warranted on immediate macro trends, the technical structure at current levels resembles previous local bottoms—given confluence on oversold readings, rounded consolidations, and a tapering of selling volume. Historically, these conditions have preceded rapid recoveries as smart capital positions early for upside catalysed by project milestones and sector rotation.

Fundamental Analysis

Adoption, Partnerships, and Ecosystem Development

Stacks’ strategic evolution is marked by relentless infrastructure buildout and ecosystem expansion. The sBTC milestone enables the native use of Bitcoin in smart contracts and yields of up to 60% APY for early adopters—ambitious benchmarks for the entire sector. Simultaneously, integration of STX on leading exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken, Bitget), custodial support by Hex Trust, and the onboarding of Bitfinex as a network participant validate the asset’s institutional credentials.

Stacks stands as the highest-engagement L2 for Bitcoin developers, signaling a robust and growing community. The partnership with the Sui Foundation further extends its leadership into cross-chain BTCfi use cases, while DeFi and NFT activity on Stacks is accelerating, promising further network effects.

Attractive Relative Valuation

Market cap ($997M–$1.13B) and fully diluted valuation remain compelling, especially when benchmarked against historical peaks and ecosystem potential. The drawdown from the 2024 cycle high ($3.84) to current levels provides asymmetric upside for new entrants. Despite near-term TVL contraction measured in USD, the increase in native STX TVL (+19.74% in the last cycle) demonstrates underlying on-chain engagement and lockup confidence.

Structural Advantages: Technology, Community, Differentiation

Stacks benefits from unique positioning as the first-mover Bitcoin smart contract L2, leveraging Bitcoin’s security without trade-offs on programmability. The protocol’s modular approach ensures continuous upgradeability, while open incentives, miner rewards, and active governance support dynamic ecosystem growth. These features differentiate STX from a crowded alt-L2 space largely focused on Ethereum derivatives.

Volume, Liquidity, and Dominance

With 24-hour trading volumes consistently near ~$40 million and trading on tier-1 exchanges, Stacks offers deep liquidity—a necessity for both retail and institutional participants. The breadth of its listing footprint, coupled with growing custodial and CEX/DEX access, fortifies its position among the top 50 crypto capitalisations, and as a reference Bitcoin L2 asset.

Catalysts and Positive Prospects

• sBTC Expansion: The sBTC protocol is expected to draw increasing BTC liquidity through 2025, as additional integrations and TVL milestones reinforce its status as the leading Bitcoin DeFi solution.
• Institutional Adoption: Recent listings, custody partnerships, and institutional open interest continue to build, expanding high-notional participation.
• Protocol Upgrades & Integrations: The horizon for new DeFi/NFT primitives, cross-chain bridges, and upcoming network upgrades represents a dynamic roadmap of catalysts—potentially unlocking further upside.
• Favourable Regulatory Winds: As policy frameworks clarify around Bitcoin and interoperability, Stacks stands to benefit from a regulatory halo effect as an established, compliant L2.

Investment Strategies by Horizon

Short Term (Weeks to 3 Months)

• Capitalize on deep technical oversold conditions and local support convergence
• Entry on retracements below $0.70 historically delivers high-risk/reward swing setups
• Monitor sentiment shifts around macro Bitcoin outflows, which could swiftly reinvigorate Layer-2 flows

Medium Term (3–12 Months)

• Position ahead of sBTC TVL growth, DeFi/NFT launches, and protocol roadmap milestones
• Stake, participate in governance, or leverage liquidity provision to augment returns as adoption accelerates
• Potential for mean-reversion toward major resistance bands ($1.03, then $1.53) if ecosystem KPIs are realised

Long Term (1–5 Years)

• Structural bets on Bitcoin DeFi leadership, anticipating exponential TVL and application growth
• Hold through fundamental cycles as STX network effects deepen and cross-chain adoption scales
• Outsize return potential from low base valuations if Stacks captures even a modest share of the projected $10B+ Bitcoin app ecosystem

Tactical Positioning

• Prudent entry on continued technical softness, or in anticipation of key roadmap events (e.g., protocol upgrades, major exchange integrations)
• Regular review of regulatory landscape and Layer-2 competitive dynamics
• Dollar-cost-averaging (DCA) for volatility mitigation in staged exposure

Stacks Price Projections (USD)

Is Now the Right Moment to Consider Stacks?

Key Strengths Recap

• Positioned as the flagship Bitcoin Layer-2, Stacks’ technical and ecosystem leadership enables it to capture outsized network effects as Bitcoin programmability and DeFi enter a new adoption curve.
• Compelling technical setup with multi-month oversold conditions, robust support bands, and volume structure supportive of an imminent reversal.
• Fundamentals justify renewed interest: Catalyst-rich roadmap (sBTC, cross-chain, institutional partnerships), untapped TVL growth, aggressive developer engagement, and relative undervaluation after sharp correction.
• Market liquidity and infrastructure enable nimble entry and exit strategies, with major exchange coverage and institutional access backing further inflows.

Optimistic Outlook and Clear Rationale

With the risk-reward dynamics reset, sector tailwinds building behind Bitcoin-centric innovation, and an ambitious roadmap of catalysts ahead, Stacks could be poised to re-enter a high-momentum growth phase. The convergence of advanced utility, deep integration into the Bitcoin ecosystem, and improving technical signals all point to a renewed inflection point for this digital asset.

Stacks remains a high-volatility cryptocurrency that offers excellent opportunities for dynamic investment, but demands rigorous risk management. The recent price reset demonstrates Stacks’ ability to deliver powerful moves, and—with institutional adoption and core protocol upgrades on the horizon—the case for considering exposure to Stacks seems more robust than ever for investors seeking asymmetric upside within the next crypto cycle.

How to buy Stacks?

It’s simple and secure to purchase Stacks (STX) online through a regulated crypto investing platform in Australia. Generally, there are two main approaches: direct “spot” buying, where you own the actual STX tokens, or trading Stacks via Contracts for Difference (CFD), which lets you speculate on prices without owning coins. Both methods have distinct features and fee structures. To help you decide, we’ve compared trusted Australian platforms and detailed their benefits, which you’ll find further down the page.

Spot Purchase (Direct Ownership)

Spot purchasing means you’re buying Stacks (STX) to own and store in your wallet. You acquire the actual coins, which you can hold, transfer, or use as you wish. On Australian platforms, expect a fixed transaction fee per trade (often $2–$6 AUD), sometimes combined with a small percentage.

Example

If STX sells for $1.10 AUD per coin and you invest $1,000 AUD (spot price as of June 2025: ~$1.10 AUD), you’ll acquire about 909 STX, deducting an average $5 AUD transaction fee.

• Gain scenario:
  If STX rises by 10%, your holding is worth $1,100 AUD.
  Result: $100 gain, a +10% gross return.

Trading Stacks via CFD

CFDs allow you to “trade” Stacks without owning the actual tokens. Instead, you open a position based on STX’s price movement. CFD trading is popular for leveraging (borrowing funds to amplify exposure) and offers long (buy) or short (sell) options. Fees typically include a spread (difference between buy/sell prices) plus overnight financing if you hold the position longer than 24 hours.

Example

With $1,000 AUD and a 5x leverage, your trade controls $5,000 AUD of STX.

• If STX increases by 8%, your leveraged gain is 8% × 5 = 40%.
  Result: $400 profit on a $1,000 stake (excluding spreads and overnight costs).

Final Tips

Always compare fees and trading conditions across local Australian crypto platforms before investing—costs, liquidity, and security can greatly impact your returns. Remember, your approach should align with your experience and financial objectives. To help you get started, find our comprehensive platform comparison further down the page.

Our 7 tips for buying Stacks

The latest news from Stacks

Institutional custody and trading access for Stacks (STX) continues to expand, with strong support from platforms accessible to Australian investors. Over the past week, STX has remained available on major global exchanges commonly used by Australian traders and institutions—including Coinbase, Kraken, and Bitget—which all support trading pairs with the Australian dollar or easy fiat onramps. Additionally, Hex Trust’s expansion of institutional-grade custody solutions now includes STX, enhancing secure asset management options for superannuation funds and SMSFs in Australia that seek regulatory-compliant digital asset exposure. This robust infrastructure ecosystem signals growing confidence from both Australian retail and institutional investors looking for direct and indirect participation in the Stacks network.

sBTC, offering native Bitcoin DeFi and staking yields, unlocks compelling growth avenues for the Stacks ecosystem and enhances its appeal in Australia’s innovation-driven crypto market. Since its launch in December 2024, sBTC has enabled Australian DeFi users to earn up to 60% APY on their Bitcoin while remaining on the Bitcoin chain through Stacks’ Layer-2, now with a market cap initially capped at 1,000 BTC. This functionality is particularly attractive for the Australian market, which has demonstrated sustained appetite for high-yield, innovative crypto products, as reflected by record engagement in domestic crypto staking platforms and DeFi protocols. The ability to use Bitcoin natively in DeFi without custodial risk or bridging to other chains positions STX as a strategic asset for Australian investors keen on Bitcoin capital efficiency and on-chain utility.

Stacks’ developer ecosystem leadership and partnerships reinforce its position as the premier Bitcoin Layer-2 protocol, with visible benefits for Australian innovation initiatives. Recent industry tracking shows Stacks remains the leading Bitcoin Layer-2 platform by developer activity and community engagement, a critical metric for long-term technological resilience. The protocol’s new partnerships—including with the Sui Foundation and institutional players like Bitfinex—have accelerated cross-chain DeFi integrations and broadened network effects, with Australian-based projects and developer communities increasingly involved in global hackathons and sBTC integration workshops. This positive momentum supports Australia’s ambition to be a regional Web3 innovation hub, and positions STX as a core infrastructure layer for upcoming projects and public-private blockchain collaborations.

Despite short-term price corrections, technical and sentiment indicators suggest STX may be undervalued, potentially offering upside for long-term Australian investors. Over the past week, STX has experienced a 14% price pullback amid broad crypto market consolidation, with technical indicators (RSI: 30.37–41.80; Williams %R: -86.44) suggesting oversold conditions. While MACD remains negative, oversold signals and analyst projections of a 30% upside from current levels towards $0.95 provide a constructive outlook for value-seeking Australian investors, especially as Stacks’ role in Bitcoin DeFi becomes more widely recognized. This technical setup, coupled with ongoing ecosystem growth, suggests a potential inflection point for medium to long-term positioning.

Australian regulatory frameworks for crypto-assets remain favourable for Bitcoin Layer-2 solutions, supporting STX’s legitimacy and growth prospects in this jurisdiction. Within the last week, there have been no adverse regulatory developments specific to Stacks or Bitcoin Layer-2 projects in Australia; existing guidelines from AUSTRAC and ASIC continue to allow compliant listings and custody of STX by exchanges and institutional custodians. Recent industry commentary highlights that new Australian regulatory proposals prioritize consumer protection and innovation, rather than stifling decentralized protocol development. This stable regulatory context gives confidence to market participants considering exposure to STX and related DeFi products, further underpinning robust market engagement in Australia.

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.