## What is Stacks (STX)?
Stacks (STX) is the layer-1 blockchain solution to bring smart contracts and decentralized apps (dApps) to Bitcoin. The Stacks design allows developers to leverage Bitcoin's security and network without modifying Bitcoin as an asset; rather, Stacks brings Layer 1 smart contracts and new applications to Bitcoin. It operates on a novel consensus mechanism called Proof of Transfer, enabling miners to secure the Stacks network by committing Bitcoin.

## What Problem Does Stacks (STX) Solve?
Stacks addresses:
- **Smart Contracts on Bitcoin**: This entails smart contracts and dApps running over Bitcoin, which extends the functionality of Bitcoin beyond simple transactions.
- **DeFi Integration**: This integration provides for decentralized finance (DeFi) on Bitcoin, which is now made easily accessible to developers and users.
- **Security**: Uses the security that Bitcoin has already established but adds new features such as tokenized assets, smart contracts, and NFTs.

## Why Does the Crypto Market Need Stacks (STX)?
The crypto market benefits from Stacks by:
- **Enhancing Bitcoin's Functionality**: Unlock new use-cases for Bitcoin by allowing dApps, smart contracts, and DeFi applications to run on the Bitcoin network.
- **Interoperability**: Makes Bitcoin and the larger DeFi ecosystem interoperable so that Bitcoin holders can tap into a DeFi environment without having to move their assets onto a different blockchain.
- **Security and Decentralization**: Introduces smart contract functionality to provide the same security guarantees as Bitcoin.

## History of STX
Stacks, originally called Blockstack, rebranded in 2020. It raised over $60 million through its token sale back in 2017; this also marked one of the first times the U.S. SEC approved a token offering. The Stacks 2.0 mainnet, introducing smart contracts and PoX, was launched in January 2021.

## Who Founded Stacks (STX)?
Stacks was developed by **Muneeb Ali** and **Ryan Shea**, co-founders of Blockstack PBC (now rebranded as Hiro Systems PBC). The project is backed by the **Stacks Foundation** and a global community of developers and contributors.

## What's the Technology Behind Stacks (STX) and How Does It Work?
Stacks uses:
- **Proof of Transfer (PoX)**: A consensus mechanism securing the Stacks blockchain by using Bitcoin. Miners commit Bitcoin in order to participate, and in return, they receive newly minted STX tokens.
- **Clarity Smart Contracts**: A deterministic programming language that enables smart contracts on Bitcoin without adding complexity to the base layer of Bitcoin.
- **Gaia Storage**: It is a decentralized storage system for off-chain data, with users retaining control over their assets.

## What Determines Stacks (STX) Value?
Factors That Affect STX Pricing:
- **Market Sentiment of Bitcoin**: Stacks has deep associations with Bitcoin. Hence, the value of STX follows the price behavior of Bitcoin.
- **Smart Contract Adoption**: The more people that use Stacks for smart contracts and dApps, the more demand there will be for STX.
- **DeFi Growth**: The demand for STX will see an increment with Stacks integrating with more DeFi platforms.
- **Network Upgrades**: Any change or upgrade in the protocol can affect investor sentiment and influence the price of the token.

## How Many Stacks (STX) Are Currently in Circulation?
There are currently 1,484,699,759 STX tokens in circulation from the maximum supply capped at 1,818,000,000 tokens.

## Maximum Supply of Stacks (STX)
The STX token has a maximum supply capped at 1,818,000,000 tokens.

## What is the (STX) Utility of Stacks?
STX Tokens are utilized for:
- **Transaction Fees**: STX is used to pay the fees accumulated from transactions and smart contract execution within the Stacks blockchain.
- **Staking**: This is done by STX holders when they lock in STX, therefore qualifying to receive Bitcoin rewards using the PoX consensus mechanism.
- **Governance**: Hold STX tokens to have a say in protocol upgrades and key decisions in the Stacks ecosystem.

## Stacks Tokenomics (STX)
Stacks tokenomics include:
- **Fixed Supply**: STX has a maximum supply of 1.818 billion tokens, with capped mining rewards that decrease over time.
- **Proof of Transfer (PoX)**: Miners can earn STX by committing Bitcoin, thus creating a one-of-a-kind bridge between Bitcoin and the Stacks ecosystem.
- **Staking Rewards**: Allows STX holders to lock in tokens for participation in PoX and earn Bitcoin rewards.

## What are the All-Time High and All-Time Low for Stacks (STX)?
- **All-Time High**: $3.86 on April 1, 2024
- **All-Time Low**: $0.0456 on March 13, 2020

## Where to Buy Stacks (STX)?
STX tokens are available for purchase on a number of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges:
- **Binance**
- **Coinbase**
- **Kraken**
- **KuCoin**

## Who Bought Stacks (STX) Early?
Stacks has been backed in its early-stage financing rounds by leading VCs, such as Union Square Ventures, Y Combinator, and Winklevoss Capital. The company also raised capital through a regulated ICO in 2017, one of the first to receive SEC qualification in the United States.

## What Are The Revenue Streams of Stacks (STX)?
Revenue streams for Stacks include:
- **Transaction Fees**: Fees that are collected during the transaction process and through smart contract execution on the Stacks Blockchain.
- **Staking and Mining Rewards**: STX holders can earn Bitcoin by staking their tokens through the PoX mechanism.
- **DeFi Integrations**: Income from decentralized finance platforms and applications built over Stacks.