STX is the native coin of Stacks, a Bitcoin layer that brings smart contracts and apps to Bitcoin. Since the Nakamoto upgrade in late 2024, the network also runs sBTC, a 1:1 Bitcoin-backed asset, and STX boosts the rewards paid in Dual Stacking.

STX doesn't have to stay inside the Stacks ecosystem to be useful. In 2026, you can also put the token toward hotels, flights, gift cards and physical collectibles.

On Polkastarter, you can purchase physical collectibles such as trading cards, sealed products and video games. New users can also get a free mystery pack after they sign up.

CoinBooking allows STX holders to book hotels and flights, with prices up to 30% lower than Booking.com. New users can also claim $25 off their first booking.

Key Takeaways

• STX holders can purchase verified trading cards, sealed products, and video games on Polkastarter, with ownership recorded on-chain. New users can also receive a free mystery pack once they sign up.
• CoinBooking accepts STX for flight and hotel reservations, with prices up to 30% lower than on Booking.com. First-time users can also claim $25 off their first booking.
• On the Stacks network, STX pays every transaction fee and can be stacked for rewards paid in Bitcoin. It also boosts sBTC rewards in Dual Stacking and is locked as staking capacity in Bitcoin Staking.
• Mastercard-linked crypto debit cards can let you spend STX at millions of merchants worldwide, where the card and token are supported.
• Coinsbee extends STX to gift cards, prepaid products and mobile top-ups, with options from over 5,000 brands in 185+ countries.

What Is Stacks (STX)?

Stacks is a Bitcoin layer for smart contracts and apps that settle on Bitcoin, with contracts written in the Clarity language. The Stacks 2.0 mainnet went live on January 14, 2021, and the Nakamoto upgrade of late 2024 brought faster blocks, Bitcoin finality and the groundwork for sBTC.

The project began as Blockstack, created by Princeton alumni Muneeb Ali and Ryan Shea, and was renamed Stacks in 2020. The Stacks Foundation and Hiro, formerly Blockstack PBC, are among the organisations behind its development.

STX pays network fees, earns Bitcoin through Stacking and serves as staking capacity in Bitcoin Staking. It has no fixed maximum supply, with about 1.81 billion STX in circulation. It trades on exchanges including Binance, Coinbase, Kraken and Upbit.

How Does Stacks (STX) Work?

Stacks runs on Proof of Transfer (PoX). Miners spend BTC to compete for the right to write Stacks blocks, and that BTC goes to holders who lock their STX through Stacking. Since the Nakamoto upgrade, blocks come much faster and transactions are anchored to Bitcoin's own finality.

sBTC brings Bitcoin onto Stacks at a 1:1 ratio without a central custodian, and a decentralised network of signers approves deposits and withdrawals. STX pays the fee for every transaction, from contract calls to sBTC transfers, and stackers who lock it receive their rewards in BTC.

What stands out to me about Stacks is that it pays you in real Bitcoin. Miners spend BTC to write blocks, and that BTC goes to whoever stacks STX. If you hold STX, it covers every fee, and sBTC lets you bring your own Bitcoin onto the network without a custodian.

1. Buy Physical Collectibles With STX on Polkastarter

Polkastarter gives STX holders a way to use their tokens on physical collectibles, such as trading cards, sealed products and video games. All items are authenticated and professionally stored, while ownership is recorded on-chain.

Depending on the collectible, you can get it delivered or list it back on the marketplace. STX isn't currently accepted directly at checkout, so you'll need to swap it for a supported cryptocurrency first.

Once your account is funded, you can browse the available collectibles and Lootboxes, with the contents, value and odds shown before you buy. New users can also get a free mystery pack when they sign up.

Visit the Polkastarter marketplace for current stock and supported payment methods.

Polkastarter is a good fit if you're into trading cards, sealed products or video games. You pay for the item in crypto, it stays in professional custody, and you choose later whether to have it delivered or list it back on the marketplace. Just swap your STX for a supported cryptocurrency before you buy.

2. Book Hotels and Flights With STX on CoinBooking

If you hold STX and are planning a trip, CoinBooking gives you a way to use the token for travel bookings. Holders can book flights and hotels at prices up to 30% lower than Booking.com. The Dubai-licensed leading crypto travel platform lists more than 2 million hotel and flight options in over 190 countries.

You can pay for your bookings directly with STX without converting it to fiat first, helping you avoid the extra fees and markups often linked to crypto-focused travel platforms. If you prefer traditional payment methods, CoinBooking also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

First-time users can also claim $25 off their first booking.

What stands out to me about CoinBooking is the pricing. You can book flights and hotels for up to 30% less than on Booking.com and pay with STX directly. If you travel just twice a year, that's money you get to keep.

3. Stack STX for Bitcoin Rewards on the Stacks Network

The most direct use of STX is on the Stacks network itself. Through Stacking, holders lock their tokens and receive rewards paid in Bitcoin, while every on-chain action, from contract calls to sBTC transfers, settles its fee in STX.

Dual Stacking, launched in late 2025, lets Bitcoin holders mint sBTC and earn BTC-denominated rewards paid in sBTC. Stacking STX alongside that sBTC can multiply those returns up to 10x, and the stacked STX keeps earning Bitcoin at the same time.

In Bitcoin Staking, the BTC stays under the holder's own keys in a timelock, while STX worth about 5% of the BTC position is locked on Stacks as staking capacity. The bonding period runs about six months, or 24 weekly reward cycles, after which both assets unlock.

What I like about STX is that it pays you in BTC. You can stack it on its own, or pair it with sBTC in Dual Stacking and boost your rewards up to 10x. If you already hold both, Bitcoin Staking lets you earn while your BTC stays under your own keys.

4. Spend STX With a Crypto Card

STX holders can also spend the token through crypto payment cards. Depending on the provider, these cards work for online and in-store purchases, as well as payments via Google Pay and Apple Pay.

The options vary by region. RedotPay serves users across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, though it isn't available to US residents. KAST provides virtual and physical cards built on Solana, while Ether.fi supports self-custody and gives cashback on eligible purchases.

To get started, pick a provider that covers your location, fund the account with STX, and order a card. Check each provider's fees, features, and availability before signing up.

A crypto card is a good fit if you'd like to spend STX without thinking twice. You pay online or in a shop the way you normally do, and Ether.fi even adds cashback on eligible purchases. It's worth checking the fees first, because they vary from provider to provider.

5. Buy Gift Cards and Everyday Products With STX on Coinsbee

Shopping, gaming, travel and food delivery are some of the categories where STX can be spent through Coinsbee. The platform sells gift cards, prepaid products and mobile top-ups from more than 5,000 brands in 185+ countries.

Available categories also include groceries and entertainment. To make a purchase, pick a supported brand and denomination, select STX as the payment method, and finish the transaction. After the payment is confirmed, the digital code is delivered following the platform's standard process.

The catalogue varies between countries, so check the products available in your region before you buy.

Coinsbee is the option on this list for the small, day-to-day purchases. Gift cards, prepaid products and mobile top-ups are all in one place, and you can pay with STX at checkout. The brands vary with where you live, so it's worth a quick check of the catalogue first.

6. Access Early-Stage Token Sales Through CoinTerminal

If you'd like to use STX in early-stage token sales, CoinTerminal lets you swap it for the assets needed to join launches. Projects can be available before they reach exchanges, with contributions starting from $100 and no staking requirement. Each sale also has its own refund window.

STX isn't accepted directly, so you'll need to convert it into the asset required for the sale, usually USDT.

Visit CoinTerminal to see which token sales are currently open.

What I like about CoinTerminal is that you can begin small. You don't need to stake anything to qualify, $100 is enough to join in, and each sale comes with its own refund window. If you've been curious about early-stage sales, it's a simple place to start.

Sources

• Stacks, Stacks official website and overview of the STX ecosystem
• Binance Academy, What Is Polkastarter (POLS)?
• Revolut, Polkastarter (POLS) Price Today
• CoinMarketCap, Polkastarter trade volume and market listings
• CoinMarketCap, Stacks (STX) price, market cap and live token data

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Stacks crypto?

Stacks is a Bitcoin layer that brings smart contracts and apps to Bitcoin, with transactions settling on Bitcoin. It began as Blockstack, launched its Stacks 2.0 mainnet in January 2021 and uses Proof of Transfer, where miners spend BTC and holders who stack STX receive it as rewards. STX pays fees and powers Stacking, Dual Stacking and Bitcoin Staking.

2. Can I book hotels and flights with STX?

Yes. Through CoinBooking, a Dubai-licensed crypto travel platform, STX holders can book from more than 2 million hotels and flights across 190+ countries at prices up to 30% lower than Booking.com. You can pay directly with STX or use Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay and Apple Pay, and new users get $25 off their first booking.

3. What is STX crypto?

STX is the native coin of the Stacks blockchain, listed on CoinMarketCap since October 2019. It has no fixed maximum supply, with about 1.81 billion STX in circulation, and ranks around #79 by market capitalisation. Holders use it to pay network fees, stack it for Bitcoin rewards and lock it as staking capacity in Bitcoin Staking.

4. Why is STX so high?

STX isn't near its peak right now. It trades around $0.39, about 90% below its all-time high of $3.84 from April 2024, with a market capitalisation of about $700 million. Prices cannot be predicted and this is not investment advice. Demand for the token comes from network fees, Stacking, Dual Stacking and Bitcoin Staking.

5. Is STX a good investment?

No one can reliably predict token prices, and this is not investment advice. What STX is built for is running the Stacks network: it pays fees, earns Bitcoin through Stacking, boosts sBTC rewards in Dual Stacking and serves as staking capacity in Bitcoin Staking. Whether that fits your goals is a decision only you can make.