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Stacking DAO introduces stBTC, a liquid Bitcoin staking token on Stacks with an expected 3% base yield and $121 M of DeFi capital ready to flow, set to debut
stBTC, a liquid‑staked Bitcoin token built by Stacking DAO, is slated to launch just before Stacks’ Bitcoin Staking release, offering holders a 3% annual yield while keeping their BTC capital transferable across the Stacks ecosystem【1】. The move targets the large amount of idle Bitcoin—most of the $1 trillion‑plus digital economy—by providing a native, non‑custodial bridge to DeFi.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Token | stBTC (liquid‑staked Bitcoin) |
| Expected base yield | ~3% annual (initial protocol parameters) |
| DeFi capital on Stacks | $121 M deployed across protocols (Zest, Granite, Stacking DAO) |
| Launch timing | Immediately before Stacks’ Bitcoin Staking release (summer 2026) |
stBTC represents BTC bonded to Stacks’ Bitcoin Staking system; the underlying Bitcoin remains locked in a timelock, while the stBTC token stays liquid and can be moved into existing Stacks DeFi apps such as Zest Protocol and BitFlow【1】. The protocol’s yield is sourced from Stacks’ Proof‑of‑Transfer consensus, where miners bid BTC to produce blocks and the rewarded BTC flows back to stakers, rather than relying on lending‑based interest. This design preserves Bitcoin’s decentralization and settlement security, avoiding centralized custodians or wrapped assets.
Stacks currently hosts $121 M of active DeFi capital, led by Zest Protocol, Granite, and Stacking DAO itself【1】. By introducing stBTC, Stacking DAO aims to tap the “idle” Bitcoin pool—most of the digital economy’s capital that sits in custodial wallets or ETFs—and direct it into this native layer. The DAO’s track record includes managing over $150 M of peak staked capital for more than 40,000 stakers without a security incident, positioning it to safely launch the liquid staking layer【1】. If the anticipated 3% yield holds, stBTC could attract institutional interest similar to UTXO Management’s recent participation in Bitcoin Staking on Stacks, which also targets a 3% APY without moving custody【3】.
stBTC could become the first truly native Bitcoin staking asset, bridging the gap between holding BTC and earning yield without sacrificing liquidity. Its success will hinge on whether the promised yield materializes and how quickly Bitcoin holders move capital from traditional custodial holdings into the Stacks DeFi layer.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Jul 10, 2026 · How we report
stBTC is a liquid staking token that represents Bitcoin bonded to Stacks’ Bitcoin Staking system, allowing holders to earn an expected base yield of about 3% while keeping the token transferable.
A DAO’s treasury is controlled by immutable smart‑contract code, and funds can only be spent after proposals receive group approval through voting or delegation mechanisms.
Stacking DAO has operated STX Stacking infrastructure for over two years, managing more than $150 million of peak staked capital for 40,000+ stakers without a security incident.
DAOs can use token‑based membership, where token holders gain voting rights, or share‑based membership, where members contribute assets or work to obtain voting shares.
stBTC can flow into Stacks DeFi applications such as Zest Protocol’s lending platform and BitFlow trading pools, while continuing to accrue the base Bitcoin yield.