A series of upgrades are about to hit the Stacks DeFi ecosystem and push BTCFi forward:

• Zest V2 making lending and borrowing more efficient
• Hermetica hBTC vault introducing a 1-click BTC yield flow
• Bitflow HODLMM reducing slippage and tightening swap execution

The voting for the 2025 Stackies awards is live!

Cast your vote and back your favorite apps, creators, and builders driving the Stacks ecosystem forward.

It takes just a couple of minutes: https://blocksurvey.io/stackie-awards-2025-idkU6I0uT5mj0QgCr5MIBg?v=o

A new set of Stacks Builder challenges with Talent Protocol is now live.

A clean way to start building on Bitcoin and compete for 22,500 STX in rewards.

First challenge is up so jump in and start earning: https://talent.app/~/earn/stacks

Want to understand how Bitcoin capital markets are evolving?

This new institutional webinar series breaks down Bitcoin capital markets, featuring teams building the infra behind the next phase of BTC adoption.

Register for the first two sessions on Dec 15 & 17 at 10:00 ET. ⬇️

https://luma.com/kxki9q5b

USDCx on Stacks is now live!

Thanks to the amazing BD work, the first USDC-backed stablecoin has arrived in the Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem.

Bitcoin builders now benefit from a tier-1 stablecoin and seamless access to cross-chain USDC liquidity.

https://x.com/Stacks/status/2001640665885896902

Pantera Capital accurately forecast that 1% of BTC would move into BTCFi.

They also point to Stacks as a key driver in reaching that milestone.

With upcoming upgrades and new products, there is still significant BTC liquidity left to unlock via Stacks.

Are you a developer looking to build on top of Bitcoin?

Build a Stacks app that integrates WalletConnect and compete for a 12,000 STX prize pool.

Take part in the third Builder Challenge, in collaboration with Talent Protocol. 👇

https://talent.app/~/earn/stacks-challenge-3

Bitcoin is growing, but too much of it is happening offchain.

Stacks is focused on bringing transactions and economic activity back to Bitcoin itself.

Native BTC yield, Bitcoin-grade security, and privacy are core to that approach.

Read the latest Stacks R&D update 👇

https://forum.stacks.org/t/stacks-r-d-update-self-custodial-bitcoin-staking-and-beyond/18559

What’s happening on Stacks lately?

• USDCx, a USDC-backed stablecoin via Circle is now available

• Messari and Pantera Capital highlight Stacks as a key driver of Bitcoin moving onchain

• The latest Stacks R&D update is live on the forum, outlining the next major ecosystem milestones

2026 is the year to drive user acquisition, visibility, and liquidity strength to Stacks.

Now it’s time for the community to share input on the wishlist of items that can deliver this growth.

From marketing and growth to critical integrations, tell us what you want to see.

https://forum.stacks.org/t/treasury-committee-2026-bd-marketing-growth-wishlist/18550

Up to now, Bitcoin was treated as idle by institutions.

Not due to lack of interest. The infrastructure wasn’t there.

In 2025, Stacks became institutional-grade Bitcoin infrastructure.

The blog breaks down 7 reasons institutions are now deploying BTC via Stacks.

https://www.stacks.co/blog/why-stacks-is-now-institutional-grade-bitcoin-infrastructure

2025 was the year Stacks became the #1 Bitcoin L2 by TVL and locked in Tier-1 infrastructure integrations.

2026 is the year institutional and whale capital starts deploying Bitcoin onchain via Stacks.

Don’t miss the upcoming Stacks community calls.

Join in if you want to stay involved in the ecosystem’s progress, from development and marketing to governance.

1) Clarity Working Group - Tuesday, Jan 6, 9:00 am ET
🔗 Add to calendar: [https://events.stacks.co/event/yc0x95fky8y4](https://events.stacks.co/event/yc0x95fky8y4)

2) AI BTC WG - Tuesday, Jan 6, 12:30 pm ET
🔗 Add to calendar: https://www.addevent.com/event/c3qjy462xr82

3) Community Marketing Working Group - Wednesday, Jan 7, 11:00 am ET
🔗 Add to calendar: https://events.stacks.co/event/t76mklxp2tgl

4) SIP Call #157 - Friday, Jan 9, 10:30am ET
🔗 Add to calendar: https://events.stacks.co/event/ue20372724

Most insitutional BTC remains idle. The reasons?

Regulatory, operational, and execution constraints.

Stacks delivered primitives that remove those constraints and fit institutional standards.

Check out the Institutional-grade primitives unlocking the Bitcoin economy.👇

https://www.stacks.co/blog/stacks-institutional-grade-primitives-that-unlock-bitcoins-economy

Bitcoin treasuries are attracting traditional investors and accumulating BTC.

To stay competitive, idle BTC won’t be enough.

That’s the focus of the Bitcoin Capital Markets webinar.

Join on Jan 13, 10:00 ET to learn about yield strategies for productive BTC treasuries. 👇

https://luma.com/h8fnnez4

Stacks DeFi is leveling up with new releases ahead:

• Zest V2 for more efficient borrowing
• Bitflow HODLMM with concentrated liquidity
• Hermetica’s hBTC vault for BTC yield

Bitcoin yield and DeFi on Stacks keeps getting more compelling.

Don’t miss the upcoming Stacks community calls.

Join in if you want to stay involved in the ecosystem’s progress, from development and marketing to governance.

1) AI BTC WG - Tuesday, Jan 13, 12:30 pm ET
🔗 Add to calendar: https://www.addevent.com/event/c3qjy462xr82

2) SIP Call #158 - Friday, Jan 16, 10:30am ET
🔗 Add to calendar: [https://events.stacks.co/event/ue20372724](https://events.stacks.co/event/ue20372724)

Don’t miss the upcoming Stacks community calls.

Join in if you want to stay involved in the ecosystem’s progress, from development and marketing to governance.

1) Clarity Working Group - Tuesday, Jan 20, 9:00 am ET
🔗 Add to calendar: https://events.stacks.co/event/yc0x95fky8y4

2) AI BTC WG - Tuesday, Jan 20, 12:30 pm ET
🔗 Set reminder: https://x.com/i/spaces/1yoKMPAjrpNxQ)

3) Community Marketing Working Group - Wednesday, Jan 21, 11:00 am ET
🔗 Add to calendar: https://events.stacks.co/event/t76mklxp2tgl

4) SIP Call #159 - Friday, Jan 23, 10:30am ET
🔗 Add to calendar: https://events.stacks.co/event/ue20372724

Don’t miss the upcoming Stacks community calls.

Join in if you want to stay involved in the ecosystem’s progress, from development and marketing to governance.

1) Stacks Blockchain Call - Tuesday, Jan 27, 10:00 am ET
🔗 Add to calendar: https://www.addevent.com/event/h0tncsjx07xx

2) AI BTC WG - Tuesday, Jan 27, 12:30 pm ET
Set the reminder: https://x.com/i/spaces/1LyGBXqAgljxN/peek

3) Stacks January Townhall - Wednesday, Jan 28, 10:00 am ET
Set the reminder: https://x.com/i/spaces/1vOxwdEggBNKB?s=20

4) SIP Call #160 - Friday, Jan 30, 10:30am ET
🔗 Add to calendar: https://events.stacks.co/event/ue20372724

With Stacks, BTC is moving onchain without compromising Bitcoin’s core properties.

-Self-custodial Bitcoin staking on the base layer

-Bitcoin earn vaults compatible with existing custody frameworks

-Enabling treasuries to earn yield while staying aligned with Bitcoin security

Read more about it here:
https://www.stacks.co/blog/stacks-big-ideas-2026?ref=stacksblog

Introducing the Stacks SIP Tracker!

In collaboration with Zero Authority, the Stacks Foundation is launching a new hub to centralize and simplify community governance.

Here is why this matters for the ecosystem. 🔽

https://x.com/StacksOrg/status/2016950171859382315?s=20