Stacks Bitcoin Staking Fork Explained: SIP 045, PoX 5 and STX

The Stacks Bitcoin staking fork refers to the proposed PoX 5 upgrade introduced through SIP 045, which aims to let Bitcoin holders earn native BTC yield while keeping their coins on the Bitcoin blockchain. The proposal is still undergoing community governance and has not yet been activated.

Voting on SIP 045 opened on 10 July 2026, alongside SIP 044, allowing the Stacks community to decide whether the protocol should move towards its next major network upgrade. This guide explains what SIP 045 changes, how Bitcoin staking works on Stacks, and what it could mean for STX.

Key Takeaways

• SIP 045 introduces PoX 5, a proposal designed to enable native Bitcoin yield while aligning the STX emission schedule.
• Bitcoin remains on its native chain, while STX plays a key role in securing participation through the Proof of Transfer mechanism.
• The proposal has not launched yet, meaning its impact on STX depends on community approval and future adoption.

What Is SIP 045 and How Does PoX 5 Work?

SIP 045 is a governance proposal that upgrades the existing Proof of Transfer mechanism into PoX 5. Its goal is to improve Bitcoin staking sustainability, strengthen network security, and better align STX emissions with long term protocol incentives.

Stacks is a Bitcoin Layer 2 network that enables smart contracts, decentralised applications, NFTs and Bitcoin based DeFi while settling security on the Bitcoin blockchain.

Unlike many staking systems, Stacks does not rely on Proof of Stake. Instead, it uses Proof of Transfer (PoX), where participants interact with Bitcoin to help secure the network.

The proposed PoX 5 upgrade introduces several important changes.

• Bitcoin holders could earn native BTC yield without transferring their BTC away from the Bitcoin blockchain.
• Around 15% of protocol surplus revenue would be allocated to a reserve fund designed to cover yield obligations for approximately 1.2 years.
• STX remains essential because users lock STX to participate in the protocol, creating additional utility for the token.
• The proposal also aligns future STX emissions with the updated economic model.

According to the Stacks team, the network has already distributed more than 4,200 BTC through its existing PoX system since 2021. PoX 5 aims to make that mechanism more sustainable while expanding Bitcoin based decentralised finance.

At the time of writing, SIP 045 remains under community review and has not yet been implemented.

Read Also: Getting to Know Bitcoin Layer 2: Definition and How It Works

How Bitcoin Staking Works on Stacks and Why STX Matters

Bitcoin staking on Stacks differs from conventional crypto staking because Bitcoin itself never leaves its native blockchain. Instead, STX serves as the participation asset that helps secure the protocol and enables BTC rewards.

Traditional staking generally requires users to lock Proof of Stake tokens.

Bitcoin does not support native staking because it operates on Proof of Work.

Stacks introduces an alternative model through Proof of Transfer.

In the proposed PoX 5 design, Bitcoin holders participate while retaining custody of BTC on the Bitcoin network. STX holders continue playing a central role by locking STX to support consensus and protocol operations.

This creates several potential effects.

If adoption grows after launch, more users participating in Bitcoin staking could increase demand for STX because the token remains necessary within the network's economic design.

However, adoption is never guaranteed.

Users should remember that governance proposals can change before activation, and real network usage will ultimately determine whether demand for STX increases over time.

Read Also: Discover the 7 Best DeFi Coins That Offer Attractive Profits

STX Price Outlook and Current Market Snapshot

The proposed Bitcoin staking upgrade has strengthened interest in Stacks, although the market remains relatively cautious while the community voting process continues. Current price action suggests investors are monitoring the proposal rather than aggressively pricing in its success.

The screenshot appears to have been captured on 21 July 2026, showing the CoinMarketCap STX dashboard using the 24 hour chart.

Key metrics visible in the image include:

• Price: $0.1673
• 24 hour change: +2.27%
• Market capitalisation: $303.64 million
• 24 hour trading volume: $4.17 million
• Volume to Market Cap ratio: 1.37%
• Circulating supply: 1.81 billion STX
• Maximum supply: Unlimited
• Fully Diluted Valuation: $303.64 million

The chart shows STX trading near $0.164 before a noticeable breakout that lifted the price above $0.166, eventually reaching approximately $0.167 by the end of the session. The move appears gradual rather than highly volatile, suggesting moderate buying interest during the day.

Historically, STX reached an all time high of $3.86, placing its current price more than 95% below its peak. Despite that decline, the token continues to rank among the larger Bitcoin ecosystem projects with a market capitalisation exceeding $300 million.

Looking ahead, several factors could influence STX.

• Approval and implementation of SIP 045.
• Adoption of Bitcoin staking after launch.
• Growth of Bitcoin based DeFi.
• Overall Bitcoin market conditions.
• Continued developer activity on the Stacks ecosystem.

While PoX 5 could improve STX's long term utility, price performance will still depend on whether users actively adopt the upgraded protocol after release.

Read Also: Top 14 DeFi Tools and Websites for Smarter Investing

How to Buy STX

Buying STX is straightforward through most major cryptocurrency exchanges.

1. Create an account with a supported exchange.
2. Complete identity verification if required.
3. Deposit fiat currency or cryptocurrency.
4. Search for the STX trading pair.
5. Place a market or limit order.
6. Store your STX in a secure wallet if you plan to hold it long term.

Conclusion

The proposed Stacks Bitcoin staking fork through SIP 045 represents one of the most significant upgrades planned for the Bitcoin Layer 2 ecosystem. By introducing PoX 5, the proposal seeks to provide native Bitcoin yield, strengthen protocol sustainability and reinforce the role of STX within the network.

Although the proposal has generated considerable interest, it remains subject to community approval and future adoption. 

Investors interested in following STX developments can monitor major exchanges such as Bitrue, while remembering that protocol upgrades do not guarantee future price appreciation.

FAQ

What is the Stacks Bitcoin staking fork?

The Stacks Bitcoin staking fork refers to the proposed PoX 5 upgrade introduced through SIP 045, which aims to improve Bitcoin staking while strengthening the network's economic model.

What is SIP 045?

SIP 045 is a governance proposal that upgrades the Proof of Transfer mechanism, introduces a reserve fund and aligns future STX emissions.

How does Bitcoin staking work on Stacks?

Bitcoin remains on the Bitcoin blockchain while STX supports participation through the Proof of Transfer consensus mechanism, allowing users to earn native BTC rewards if the proposal is implemented.

Will SIP 045 increase STX demand?

Potentially. Since STX remains integral to protocol participation, greater adoption of Bitcoin staking could increase demand, although this depends on actual user adoption after launch.

Is the Stacks Bitcoin staking fork live?

No. At the time of writing, SIP 045 is still undergoing community governance and has not yet been activated.

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