Should You Buy Stacks in 2025?

Why trust HelloSafe?

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

Stacks in brief

How much does 1 Stacks cost?

The price of Stacks is down this week. As of today, STX is trading at around ₱39.40 to ₱44.20, with a 24-hour decrease of about -4.3% to -8.4% and a weekly drop of -22.1%. The market capitalization stands near ₱59 billion, with an average daily trading volume of ₱2.4–6.4 billion over the past three months. Stacks is ranked #45 by market cap, with 1.5 billion STX in circulation and a market dominance of about 0.16%. For PH investors, these figures highlight both the volatility and emerging potential of Stacks in the evolving crypto landscape.

Our full review of the Stacks cryptocurrency

After a comprehensive review of the most recent Stacks (STX) trends and its evolution over the last three years, our proprietary algorithms synthesized on-chain indicators, technical signals, market data, and competitive intelligence to deliver a nuanced perspective. Drawing from a broad spectrum of industry sources and quantitative models, we reveal crucial dynamics in the Bitcoin Layer 2 landscape. So, why could Stacks re-emerge in 2025 as a strategic entry point for forward-thinking investors seeking exposure to next-generation Bitcoin smart contract ecosystems?

Performance Overview and Market Context

Recent Price Evolution

Stacks (STX) currently trades between $0.66 and $0.74 USD, reflecting a notable retreat of ~35% from its all-time high in May 2025 at $1.0686. Despite recent retracements—down over -22% from last week's high—it's essential to frame these moves within the context of pronounced 2025 volatility. The broad crypto sector, particularly Bitcoin-related assets, experienced a Q1 surge: STX outperformed with a 400% rise, propelled by network upgrades and institutional integration.

Positive Recent Developments

• Nakamoto Upgrade (Oct 2024): Engineered a 10x performance jump, fortifying Bitcoin alignment and enhancing finality/security for smart contracts.
• sBTC Launch (Dec 2024): Enabled non-custodial, native Bitcoin within DeFi protocols, unlocking the Bitcoin economy for a new wave of applications.
• BitGo Partnership: Facilitated fresh institutional onramps, further underpinning liquidity and credibility.

Favorable Macro/Sectoral Trends

Bitcoin’s Layer 2 sector remains one of the most sought-after narratives of the current crypto cycle. Mainstream adoption tailwinds—including U.S.-regulated Bitcoin spot ETFs and increasing demand for on-chain programmability—have elevated the entire 'Bitcoin DeFi' ecosystem. For PH-based investors, USD/STX liquidity remains robust and on par with global exchange standards.

Technical Analysis

Key Crypto Indicators

• RSI (14-day): 41.80—hovering in neutral territory, suggesting supply-demand equilibrium and potential for momentum reversal.
• MACD: Currently at -0.02, a slightly bearish but stabilizing signal, often preceding breakout phases after corrective consolidations.
• 200-day SMA: Trending downward, reflecting recent corrective action, but with price consolidating tightly above key medium-term supports.

Support Levels and Bullish Reversal Signals

• Support: $0.61–$0.65 is proving resilient—consecutive bounces recorded here amid high-volume market tests.
• Resistance: $0.98–$1.07 remains a pivotal zone. A daily close above $1.00 would decisively shift the structure bullish.
• Momentum: Recent volume spikes ($40–$106 million/day) at support suggest strong hands accumulating, a classic signature ahead of structure reversals.
• Structure: Oscillator neutrality indicates a pause—a technical ‘compression’ phase that often precedes higher-volatility expansions.

Short- to Medium-Term Outlook

The consolidation between $0.65–$0.74 presents a technical ‘reset’ post-exuberance. Should broader Bitcoin price action stabilize and protocol catalysts materialize, STX could rapidly reclaim psychological targets around $1, opening the way for multi-quarter trend potential.

Fundamental Analysis

Adoption, Partnerships, and Ecosystem Expansion

• sBTC Ecosystem: With $250M TVL targeted by Q2 2025 (and $1B longer-term), Stacks is at the vanguard of Bitcoin-native DeFi growth.
• Developer Engagement: 30+ ecosystem entities, led by the Stacks Foundation, fueling dApp expansion and community vibrancy.
• Innovation: First-mover in Bitcoin-native smart contracts and DeFi, enhanced post-Nakamoto upgrade.
• Institutional Inroads: Active BitGo integration vastly improves STX’s accessibility to investment funds, family offices, and custodial platforms.

Relative Valuation

• Market Cap: ~$1.0 billion amid 1.5 billion circulating tokens—a multiple still below that of similarly positioned, Ethereum-adjacent L2s.
• Fully Diluted Metrics: Remain attractive compared to DeFi peers with commensurate TVL and user growth.
• Liquidity: Average daily volumes up to $106 million testify to market depth, allowing sizable positions without undue slippage.
• Dominance: Consistently among the top Bitcoin Layer 2 protocols in both TVL and developer activity.

Structural Strengths

• Upgrade Cycle: Post-Nakamoto upgrade and sBTC deployment have materially improved scalability, usability, and security.
• Community: Active governance, transparent foundation oversight, and a fast-growing user base anchor its long-term viability.
• Differentiation: Native Bitcoin programmability (vs. wrapped BTC-centric L2s) provides a genuine competitive moat.

Volume and Market Traction

• Elevated Exchange Activity: Sustained by major exchange listings and notable upticks in institutional wallet inflows.
• Traction Indicators: Increasing on-chain usage and cross-chain integration campaigns signal maturing user adoption.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Upside Drivers

• Upcoming Protocol Releases: Further sBTC enhancements, upcoming Layer 2 optimizations, and new cross-chain bridges are all imminent.
• DeFi/NFT Expansion: Stacks is pioneering the first true Bitcoin-native DeFi and NFT primitives—poised for exponential user influx as the ecosystem matures.
• Regulatory Environment: L2s tied to Bitcoin, the world’s most institutionally validated crypto, are likely to benefit from a more favorable regulatory narrative.
• Institutional Adoption: Ongoing onboarding of larger partners via BitGo and similar custodians.

New Use Cases

• Enterprise Integration: Game-changing for fintech and payments, with programmable Bitcoin just beginning to penetrate mainstream financial services.
• Geographical Expansion: Stacks’ architecture enables seamless localization—already gaining traction across Southeast Asia, including PH-based developer nodes.

Investment Strategies by Horizon

Short-Term (1–3 months)

• Entry on Support: Current consolidation at $0.66–$0.74 presents an efficient cost basis for tactical entries.
• Event Anticipation: Participating ahead of upcoming protocol upgrades may offer upside volatility, especially for momentum-driven traders.

Medium-Term (6–18 months)

• Accumulative Positioning: Building exposures incrementally as sBTC DeFi liquidity deepens and key network milestones are achieved.
• Technical Confirmation: Watching for sustained closes above $1.00 to confirm multi-quarter breakout structures.

Long-Term (2–5 years)

• Strategic Allocation: Exposure to Bitcoin-native smart contract infrastructure; as capital continues to rotate from Ethereum-dominated DeFi, STX stands to consolidate ‘blue chip’ status in the Bitcoin L2 sector.
• Upside from Macro Adoption: Regulatory clarity and institutional acceptance could unlock multi-cycle upside, reminiscent of early ETH or SOL trajectories.

Projected Price Evolution: Stacks (2025-2029)

Is Now the Right Time to Consider Stacks?

To summarize, Stacks stands at a compelling intersection of technical reset and fundamental momentum. Its robust on-chain activity, leading role in Bitcoin-native DeFi, continuous ecosystem expansion, and institutional-grade upgrades together suggest a market repositioning is underway. With volatility providing timely entry windows, Stacks seems to represent an excellent opportunity for investors seeking asymmetrical upside in the evolving Bitcoin Layer 2 landscape. The foundation for a new bullish phase appears firmly in place.

Stacks remains a high-volatility cryptocurrency offering dynamic investment opportunities, but one that requires disciplined risk management. Recent price acceleration underscores Stacks’ ability to deliver swift, powerful movements, while the broader macro context calls for selectivity. Key technical levels to monitor include $0.61 as immediate support and $1.07 as major resistance. The next protocol upgrade—scheduled for the second half of 2025—may serve as a pivotal catalyst for Stacks’ continued evolution.

How to buy Stacks?

It is simple and secure to buy Stacks (STX) cryptocurrency online through a regulated platform—even for investors new to crypto in the Philippines. There are two main ways to gain exposure: you can purchase STX “spot” for direct ownership, or trade CFDs (Contracts for Difference) for flexible price speculation without owning the asset. Each method has specific benefits and costs, which we explain below. For help choosing the right platform, a detailed comparison guide can be found further down this page.

Spot Purchase

Spot buying Stacks means purchasing the actual STX coins and holding them in your personal wallet, giving you true ownership. You can easily fund your account in PHP or USD, and typical costs include a fixed transaction fee (often 0.1% to 1% or a fixed PHP amount).

Informations importantes

Example: Suppose the STX price is $0.70 (about ₱41)*, and you invest ₱60,000 (roughly $1,000). With a platform fee of ₱300 (~$5), you can buy approximately 1,455 STX tokens.
✔️ Gain scenario: If STX rises +10%, your coins are now worth ₱66,000—yielding a gross profit of ₱6,000 (+10%) before fees.

CFD Trading

Trading Stacks via CFDs means you don’t actually own STX coins, but take a position on their price direction using leverage. This is for more active traders. Costs include the spread (the difference between buy/sell price) and overnight financing fees if you keep positions open.

Informations importantes

Example: You open a CFD position on STX with ₱60,000, using 5x leverage. This gives you ₱300,000 exposure to the STX price.
✔️ Gain scenario: If STX rises by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%, for ₱24,000 gross profit on your ₱60,000 margin (excluding fees).

Final Advice

Comparing costs, features, and regulations across crypto platforms is essential before investing—these can vary widely. Ultimately, the best method depends on your experience, risk profile, and whether you want to directly own Stacks or seek higher potential with leverage. Visit our platform comparison tool below to find the best match for your needs.

*All values are given in PHP for clarity using an average June 2025 exchange rate (1 USD ≈ ₱59). Prices and fees may vary slightly by provider.*

Our 7 tips for buying Stacks

The latest news from Stacks

Stacks maintains solid technical and network fundamentals after the Nakamoto and sBTC upgrades, with resilient DeFi growth targets. The successful Nakamoto upgrade boosted transaction speeds and finality, making Stacks a forefront Layer 2 solution for Bitcoin smart contracts, while the introduction of sBTC in December 2024 unlocked native, non-custodial Bitcoin in DeFi applications. These advancements underpin the Stacks ecosystem’s ambition to reach $1 billion in total value locked (TVL), with $250 million targeted by Q2 2025, setting a strong positive tone for wider adoption—even in emerging crypto regions such as the Philippines, where DeFi access is often limited to Ethereum-based protocols. Ongoing expansion in developer engagement, with over 30 entities currently contributing—including the Stacks Foundation—creates an open environment for local Southeast Asian developers to build on and localize Bitcoin finance instruments, a factor that may accelerate Filipino participation both as users and contributors.

Major Filipino exchanges such as PDAX continue to list STX, bolstering local accessibility and liquidity for Filipino traders. Access to Stacks via established platforms is crucial for grassroots adoption in the Philippines, which remains one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency user bases. The continued presence of STX on PDAX and other regional exchanges confirms compliance with local regulatory standards and ensures that domestic investors can participate with Philippine Peso pairs, avoiding external FX risk and fostering a native Stacks market. This is further complemented by active educational outreach from the broader Stacks ecosystem and possible partnerships with local blockchain communities.

Regulatory sentiment towards Stacks in the Philippines remains neutral-to-positive, with ongoing monitoring by the BSP supporting investor confidence. While the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to supervise exchanges and enforce KYC/AML requirements, there have been no negative directives or restrictions specific to STX, even following recent market corrections and volatility. This regulatory clarity, combined with Stacks’ decentralized structure and clear technical documentation, lowers risk perceptions for Filipino investors, especially compared to protocols with ambiguous classifications. Any move toward further institutional onboarding in the local context would likely be supported by Stacks’ integration with custodians like BitGo and the asset’s established transparency on major global platforms.

Despite STX market correction, local sentiment in PH is buoyed by global DeFi leadership and a robust technical roadmap. Stacks, while facing a ~22% weekly decline and a broader market downturn, maintains strong trading volume and technical support levels globally. Positive consensus forecasts ($0.86–$0.96) reflect analyst optimism about a swift STX rebound on the back of continued DeFi growth and Bitcoin price stability. For Filipino token holders, the technical consolidation phase could serve as a tactical accumulation period, especially as Stacks pursues its vision of making Bitcoin-native DeFi widely accessible.

Institutional and developer ecosystem growth creates potential for future Filipino partnerships and regional innovation. With major integrations (such as BitGo) facilitating institutional flows and a collaborative governance structure, Stacks positions itself as both a technology leader and partner for regional expansion. The Philippines, home to an increasingly active Web3 developer scene, stands to benefit from Stacks’ open-source tools and funding programs coordinated by the Stacks Foundation. These factors collectively foster an encouraging outlook for grassroots and professional adoption of STX in the Philippine crypto landscape.

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.