Methods of Stacking

What are the various methods to participate in Stacking?

What are the various methods to participate in Stacking?

Users have a few paths forward to proceed with Stacking. Recommendations for smaller Stacks holders can be found in this blog post covering Stacking Observations and Reminders for Individual Stackers at or Near the Minimum. The three options for Stacking include:

1. Direct Stacking

2. Stacking in a pool: Non-custodial delegated Stacking

3. Stacking in a pool: Custodial delegated Stacking (e.g. OKCoin, Binance)

Direct Stacking also called Stacking by yourself

Direct Stacking can be done through Leather for desktop or via direct contract call using Clarity. In order to participate, users must meet the dynamic minimum threshold of Stacks from one address. The minimum is currently 100,000 STX, and it may increase. Stacking via the wallet directly gives users the most control over their stacking experience, especially as related to how many STX they’d like to stack. This can be a better option for those who have larger STX holdings and can safely lock above current Stacking thresholds, given the dynamic nature of stacking threshold minimums. The steps to participate in Stacking directly are listed here:https://www.hiro.so/questions/how-do-i-participate-in-stacking-with-the-stacks-wallet‍

Pooling 1: Non-custodial delegated Stacking

Non-custodial delegating Stacking can also be done through Leather. A full overview of non-custodial delegated stacking can be found in this link to a forum post covering the delegation feature overview. This feature is especially useful for STX holders with fewer than the dynamically set minimum (currently 80,000 STX) since it empowers them to earn BTC from Stacking with any number of STX on hand. It also keeps STX safe at all times in the desktop Leather, especially when used in conjunction with a Ledger device.

Your STX will never leave your wallet or end up in the possession of such third-party services when participating in Stacking directly or through Stacking delegation. In Stacking directly you'll have to sign a stacking transaction indicating your participation. In delegated stacking you’ll simply broadcast a transaction that permits the delegation service to commit your STX to Stacking for up to 12 cycles (or about 6 months).

As with all forms of Stacking, STX are locked up after committed by the delegation service until the final cycle is complete. This means simply that the STX cannot be transferred anywhere or used for other purposes temporarily. However, STX holders can choose to revoke delegation at any time and this will stop such delegation services from subsequently committing their STX to more cycles.

As of February 2023 the lockstacks.com dapp can be used to participate in non-custodial pooled stacking.

Pooling 2: Custodial delegated Stacking

Custodial delegated stacking provides users an option to stack via a provider that maintains custody of their STX, offsetting some responsibility for holders in maintaining and safe guarding the Secret Keys. Stacking via a custodial provider (such as OKCoin) can provide the most “user friendly” approach in the user experience overall. As a tradeoff, this means users have somewhat less control over their funds as they are relying on a third party for custody of those funds.