> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://leather.gitbook.io/guides/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://leather.gitbook.io/guides/bitcoin-name-system-bns/what-is-bns.md).

# What is BNS?

Bitcoin Name System (BNS) is a network system that binds Stacks usernames to off-chain state without relying on any central points of control. \
BNS-names form a human readably and secure alternative for hard to remember public keys (such as public Stacks addresses and/or Bitcoin addresses). 

Read more: <https://docs.stacks.co/docs/stacks-academy/bns>


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