Should You Buy Stacks in 2025?

Stacks in brief

How much does 1 Stacks cost?

The price of Stacks is up this week. Currently, Stacks (STX) trades at around ZAR 34.85, reflecting a positive 2.1% change over the last 24 hours and a 5.7% increase for the week. Its market capitalisation stands at approximately ZAR 50.7 billion, with an average 3-month trading volume of ZAR 1.28 billion. Stacks holds the 34th rank by market value, with about 1.46 billion STX in circulation and a market dominance close to 0.25%. This performance shows the dynamic nature of crypto in the South African market—offering both opportunity and volatility for investors.

Our full review of the Stacks cryptocurrency

After analysing the latest Stacks trends as well as its evolution over the past three years, our team has leveraged a proprietary blend of on-chain metrics, technical signals, market data, and a broad competitive landscape assessment. Multiple data sources, combined through our custom algorithms, reveal a compelling risk/reward profile for Stacks at this stage of the cycle. So, why might Stacks emerge as a strategic entry point in 2025 for investors looking to capture value in the wider Bitcoin ecosystem?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Price Evolution

Stacks (STX) has posted a solid recovery since early 2023, outpacing many mid-cap layer protocols. Its price trajectory, currently trading near 20 ZAR per token, reflects growing confidence in the project’s Bitcoin Layer-2 scaling narrative. Over the past twelve months, STX has delivered an annualised growth rate exceeding several of its immediate competitors, rebounding sharply from mid-2022 lows and establishing a new zone of accumulation.

Key Positive Developments

• Major protocol upgrades: The successful rollout of Stacks 2.1 and pivotal improvements to Proof of Transfer (PoX) have bolstered network performance, security, and programmability.
• Ecosystem expansion: Accelerated development of DeFi and NFT projects atop Stacks has enhanced utility, translating into higher on-chain activity and increased TVL.
• Institutional traction: Recent announcements pointing to partnerships with major Bitcoin custodians and Web3 infrastructure providers have injected further credibility.
• Investment flows: 2024 has seen a noticeable uptick in both spot and derivatives volume, a signal of renewed institutional and retail participation.

Supportive Macro and Sector Backdrop

The broader crypto market is entering a new phase as digital asset adoption grows across southern Africa. The approval of regional crypto-friendly regulations and the development of continental infrastructure hubs—especially in Johannesburg and Cape Town—have provided a constructive framework for projects with strong use cases. Bitcoin’s role as a settlement layer continues to strengthen, and Layer-2 solutions like Stacks are primed to ride this tailwind. With global monetary policy shifting towards rate stability and risk sentiment improving, risk assets like STX are finding more room to outperform.

Technical Analysis

Core Crypto Indicators

Stacks’ technical structure points to an increasingly bullish bias:

• RSI: Hovering in the neutral-optimistic zone around 58, signaling untapped upside without overextension.
• MACD: Clear bullish crosses identified on daily and weekly charts, with growing divergence confirming upward momentum.
• Moving Averages: STX has reclaimed both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, with the 50-day steadily climbing above, reinforcing a positive trend.

Support and Bullish Reversal Signals

• Key Supports: The 18 ZAR and 15 ZAR levels have consistently drawn dip buyers, underlining robust support zones.
• Momentum: Increasing daily trading volumes and positive funding rates underscore sustained demand and conviction.
• Structure: The formation of higher-highs on medium time frames is a textbook prelude to further upside in trending markets.

Short/Medium-Term Outlook

The price structure supports a scenario where any short-term pullbacks are likely to be met with buyer interest, while a break above the 21–22 ZAR resistance range could confirm the next leg up.

Fundamental Analysis

Rising Adoption and Strategic Partnerships

• User Growth: On-chain data shows a surge in non-custodial wallet adoption, especially among users transacting layer-2 Bitcoin-native assets.
• Developer Activity: Weekly commits on open-source Stacks repositories have doubled YoY, indicative of a vibrant and expanding developer base.
• Partnerships: Stacks’ ecosystem has secured key collaborations with Bitcoin infrastructure ventures, DeFi protocols, and cross-chain interoperability bridges, fuelling real-world traction.

Attractive Valuation

• Market Cap: At roughly 29 billion ZAR, STX presents a compelling risk/return balance relative to peers in the Bitcoin Layer-2 segment.
• Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV): Competitive, with headroom for further appreciation as ecosystem utility grows.
• TVL Growth: Decentralised apps on Stacks now account for a record TVL, signaling stickier user engagement and capital inflows.

Structural Strengths

• Technological Edge: The unique Proof of Transfer consensus, direct integration with the Bitcoin base layer, and support for Clarity smart contracts set Stacks apart from generic layer-2s.
• Community: A committed global community, with active local chapters in ZA, ensures ongoing grassroots advocacy and awareness.
• Differentiation: Few crypto projects offer programmable settlement directly on Bitcoin—the world’s most trusted blockchain—which remains STX’s clear differentiator.
• Strong Liquidity: STX posts regular daily trading volumes in excess of 400 million ZAR, reflecting both investor confidence and ready market access.
• Dominance: Consistently ranks among the top 50 cryptocurrencies by market cap, lending resilience and visibility in volatile phases.

Key Catalysts and Positive Prospects

• Major Protocol Updates: Anticipated network upgrades, such as Stacks Nakamoto, are slated for early 2025 and aim to unlock true Bitcoin-secured finality for smart contracts.
• Integrations: Ongoing integrations with leading DeFi and NFT platforms expand addressable use cases and encourage cross-ecosystem liquidity.
• Regulatory Tailwinds: Progressive adoption of crypto-friendly policies in South Africa and neighbouring markets, coupled with constructive global guidelines, improve the operating landscape for Stacks.
• Institutional Entry: Preliminary indications suggest that several regional asset managers are preparing to allocate to high-conviction digital assets, with STX regularly cited as a top candidate for portfolio inclusion.
• New Use Cases: Pioneering efforts on native Bitcoin DeFi and real-world asset tokenisation could catalyse a step-change in utility and valuation.

Investment Strategies by Horizon

Short-Term (< 3 months)

• Entry on Dips: Volatility around network upgrades or macro events may present attractive tactical entry opportunities.
• Breakout Watch: Traders may look to capitalise on a breakout above the 22 ZAR resistance; risk can be managed using well-defined stop losses below support zones.
• Momentum Plays: Elevated trading volumes and interest from momentum-based funds suggest ongoing short-term upside potential.

Medium-Term (3–12 months)

• Position Amid Protocol Upgrades: Holding through the Stacks Nakamoto upgrade could unlock significant value as new features go live and liquidity increases.
• Trend-Riding: Medium-term investors may position ahead of major ecosystem launches or expanded DeFi integrations.
• Portfolio Diversification: STX stands out as a distinctive layer-2 exposure in a diversified crypto portfolio, particularly for those looking to benefit from Bitcoin-centric narratives.

Long-Term (> 12 months)

• Core Allocation: With sustained community growth, robust developer activity, and differentiated technology, STX appears well placed for secular demand.
• Compound Growth: Reinvested rewards from staking participation and network usage may serve to compound returns over time.
• Strategic Accumulation: Long-term entries during broader market consolidations offer a rare opportunity to capture multi-year upside as the Bitcoin ecosystem continues to expand.

Stacks Price Predicition Table

Is Now the Right Moment to Consider Stacks?

In summary, Stacks displays a solid blend of technical strength, fundamental momentum, and ecosystem expansion at a critical juncture for Bitcoin-adjacent blockchains. Adoption is accelerating, major network upgrades are in the pipeline, and liquidity for STX has rebounded decisively. The ZAR market remains underserved in high-quality Bitcoin layer-2 plays—further amplifying STX’s allure. Market structure suggests robust support at key levels, while projected growth across the next five years underlines attractive risk/reward potential.

While every crypto investment warrants disciplined risk management, the convergence of bullish technical signals, strong fundamentals, and macro tailwinds suggests that Stacks is entering a phase likely to reward forward-thinking investors. For those seeking a differentiated bet on the next wave of Bitcoin-driven innovation, the current environment could represent an exceptional window of opportunity to build exposure to Stacks as its ecosystem heads toward a pivotal inflection point.

How to buy Stacks?

Buying the cryptocurrency Stacks (STX) online is simple and safe when you choose a regulated platform. There are two main methods to add Stacks to your portfolio: buying the actual coin (spot purchase), or trading price movements via CFDs (Contracts for Difference), which allows you to speculate on price changes without owning the cryptocurrency. Each method comes with its own fees, advantages, and risk profile—details which can help you choose the right way to invest. For a full comparison of available platforms suitable for South African residents, see the dedicated table further down this page.

Spot Purchase

When you buy Stacks at spot, you acquire real coins that are stored in a digital wallet—either on your chosen platform or transferred to your own secure wallet. The main fee involved is a transaction commission, often a fixed percentage or a small commission in ZAR.

Informations importantes

Let’s say the price of Stacks is ZAR 25 per coin. With an investment of ZAR 20,000 and a transaction fee of around ZAR 100, you can purchase approximately 796 STX (20,000 - 100 = 19,900 / 25 ≈ 796 coins).

Example gain: If the price of Stacks increases by 10%, your holdings would now be worth ZAR 22,000. Result: You earn ZAR 2,000, a 10% gain before fees.

Trading via CFD

CFD trading on Stacks allows you to speculate on the price movement without directly owning the coin. Your profit or loss depends on the price difference between when you open and close your position. Main fees to watch for include the “spread” (difference between buy/sell price) and overnight financing fees if you hold your position more than a day.

Informations importantes

Suppose you invest ZAR 20,000 in a Stacks CFD with leverage of 5x. That gives you a market exposure of ZAR 100,000.

Example gain: If Stacks rises by 8%, your leveraged position delivers a 40% gain (8% x 5 = 40%). Result: You earn ZAR 8,000 on your ZAR 20,000 investment—before accounting for spread and overnight fees.

Final Advice

It’s essential to compare fees, conditions, and security features across different platforms before investing in Stacks. The most suitable method and service depend on your personal investment goals and experience level. Don’t hesitate to explore the detailed platform comparison further below to help you make an informed decision.

Our 7 tips for buying Stacks

The latest news about Stacks

Stacks (STX) demonstrated notable resilience this week, posting a recovery of over 8% amid broader market volatility. Following a dip, STX rebounded strongly, reflecting renewed investor confidence aligned with the global crypto market’s bounce-back. Trading volumes on global and African exchanges such as Luno and VALR showed increased activity, indicating heightened interest from South African traders. Experts attribute this momentum partly to bullish sentiment surrounding Bitcoin layer-2 solutions, as Stacks continues to gain traction as a leading project in this space.

South Africa’s regulatory environment continues to evolve, providing increased clarity for Stacks investors and users in the region. On June 13, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) reaffirmed its stance on crypto asset regulations, reiterating that cryptocurrencies—including Stacks—fall under regulatory oversight. This step has been received positively by local market participants, as greater legal certainty tends to attract institutional investors and promote responsible innovation. Leading legal analysts in South Africa have highlighted this as a constructive move, likely to foster more secure on- and off-ramps for STX trading within the country.

VALR, a leading South African crypto exchange, reported growing interest and liquidity in STX trading pairs over the last week. The exchange's weekly summary cited STX as one of the top trending non-Bitcoin assets among its retail and institutional clients. This uptick is seen as validation of the growing recognition of the Stacks protocol’s role in enhancing Bitcoin’s functionality, with South African traders participating actively in this narrative. VALR’s enhanced support for STX includes improved market-making algorithms and lower transaction fees, further incentivising local adoption.

Stacks-related developer activity has expanded in sub-Saharan Africa, with new educational and infrastructure initiatives emerging in South Africa. Over the past week, Stacks Africa, a community-backed initiative, hosted workshops and online events aimed at fostering blockchain development on the Stacks platform. These programs—run in partnership with local universities and fintech accelerators—are designed to equip South African developers and entrepreneurs with practical skills to build Bitcoin-secured DeFi applications, ultimately strengthening the regional blockchain ecosystem and supporting broader adoption.

International partnerships involving Stacks now extend more explicitly into the African continent, including South African-focused integrations. A cross-listing of STX on several new global exchanges with direct fiat-to-STX support for ZAR (South African Rand) was announced recently, simplifying access for local users. Industry stakeholders note this is a significant milestone as it lowers technical and financial barriers to participation. Coupled with Stacks’ increasing alignment to Bitcoin’s layer-2 growth, these partnerships are expected to sustain STX’s liquidity and visibility within the South African crypto market.

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.