Bridge · Review
ActiveStacks sBTC Review 2026: 1:1 Bitcoin-Pegged Token for DeFi
sBTC is a SIP-010 token on the Stacks blockchain that represents Bitcoin 1:1 so BTC holders can use DeFi apps. DefiLlama shows roughly $199M in TVL, but no audits are listed.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated
DappsAtlas score
6.8/10
Good
Our verdict on Stacks sBTC
6.8/10sBTC suits Bitcoin holders who want to use BTC value in Stacks DeFi apps without selling, and developers building on Stacks. Its main strength is a simple 1:1 peg backed by a recognised Bitcoin layer 2 and roughly $199M in TVL. The main caveat is that no audits are listed on DefiLlama and fees are not stated, so check the official docs for both before depositing.
Score breakdown
How Stacks sBTC scores
- Security
- 6.3/10
- Ease of use
- 6.0/10
- Fees
- n/a
- Features
- 6.5/10
Scores run from 0 to 10 and are based only on facts we could verify. Where information was missing we mark the score n/a rather than guess.
What is Stacks sBTC?
sBTC is a token on the Stacks blockchain that represents Bitcoin in a 1:1 ratio. It is meant to let Bitcoin holders join DeFi applications and other smart contract features while keeping a peg to the underlying BTC.
Stacks describes itself as a fast, low-cost layer 2 network on Bitcoin that inherits Bitcoin's security. The official documentation is aimed at builders and covers Clarity smart contracts, Stacks.js, wallets, price oracles and sBTC integration.
DefiLlama has tracked sBTC since 2024-12-20 and shows about $199M in total value locked, with a 1.1% drop over seven days. It lists no audits and no separate token. This review draws on that data and the Stacks documentation homepage only.
How Stacks sBTC works
sBTC is a token on the Stacks blockchain, a layer 2 network built on Bitcoin. Each unit is meant to represent one BTC, so holders can use that value in Stacks smart contracts without selling their Bitcoin.
In wrapped-BTC designs like this, BTC is deposited on the Bitcoin network and a matching amount of the token is issued on the other chain. Redeeming the token reverses the process. The project does not give sBTC's exact deposit or withdrawal mechanics, so those details should be confirmed in the Stacks documentation.
DefiLlama files sBTC under Bridge and lists Bitcoin as its chain, since the underlying BTC sits on Bitcoin while the token is used on Stacks.
5 features
Key features
01
SIP-010 token standard
sBTC is a SIP-010 token, the fungible token standard on Stacks, so it can be used by Stacks wallets and applications.
02
1:1 Bitcoin peg
The token represents Bitcoin in a 1:1 ratio, aiming to keep its value tied to BTC.
03
DeFi access for BTC
Holders can use BTC-pegged value in DeFi applications and other smart contract functions on Stacks.
04
Developer documentation
The Stacks docs include an sBTC guide, Clarity resources and Stacks.js tools for integrating it into apps.
05
Bitcoin-anchored network
Stacks describes itself as a layer 2 on Bitcoin and covers Proof of Transfer and Bitcoin finality in its Learn section.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Gives BTC holders a way to use their Bitcoin in smart contract applications.
- Pegged 1:1 to Bitcoin, which keeps the token easy to understand.
- DefiLlama shows around $199M in TVL, indicating real usage.
- Official docs include dedicated sBTC and developer guides.
- Built on the SIP-010 token standard, which suits the Stacks ecosystem.
Watch out for
- DefiLlama lists no audits for the protocol, so security has to be checked in the official docs.
- Fee schedule is not stated, including any costs for moving BTC in and out.
- Relies on Stacks infrastructure such as signers and smart contracts, which adds risk beyond holding BTC directly.
- Peg is only as good as the system that holds the underlying BTC; a failure could break the 1:1 value.
- The available homepage is general Stacks developer documentation and says little about sBTC's mechanics.
Stacks sBTC fees
The project does not publish a fee schedule for sBTC. They do not say what it costs to move BTC into sBTC or back out.
In general, users should expect Bitcoin network fees on any Bitcoin transaction and Stacks network fees when using the token. Current figures should be checked in the sBTC section of the official docs or in the wallet or app used for the transfer.
Is Stacks sBTC safe?
DefiLlama lists no audits for sBTC, so public sources cannot confirm an independent code review. Readers should look for audit reports and the current risk disclosures in the official documentation before depositing.
Any BTC-pegged token adds smart contract risk and peg risk on top of holding Bitcoin itself. Users depend on the system that holds the underlying BTC and on the Stacks network. The project does not describe custody details, incidents or regulatory status, so none are asserted here.
6 steps
How to get started with Stacks sBTC
- 1
Read the sBTC section of the official Stacks documentation to understand how the peg and the process work.
- 2
Set up a Stacks-compatible wallet and keep a recovery phrase backed up offline.
- 3
Check any audit reports and current limits before moving significant funds.
- 4
Start with a small amount of BTC to learn the process and see what fees apply.
- 5
Use the sBTC in a Stacks DeFi application you have researched, and review its own risks.
- 6
Keep track of your position and know how to move back to BTC if you want to exit.
Who Stacks sBTC is for
sBTC is for Bitcoin holders who want exposure to Stacks DeFi and for developers building Bitcoin-linked apps with Clarity. It is less suited to people who want to hold BTC with the fewest possible dependencies, since the peg relies on additional infrastructure.
Stacks sBTC FAQs
What is Stacks sBTC?
sBTC is a SIP-010 token on the Stacks blockchain that represents Bitcoin in a 1:1 ratio. It lets Bitcoin holders take part in DeFi and smart contract applications while keeping a peg to the underlying BTC.
Is sBTC the same as Bitcoin?
Public sources describe it as pegged 1:1 to Bitcoin. They do not give detailed mechanics, so check the sBTC section of the Stacks documentation for how deposits, signers and withdrawals work.
How much value is locked in sBTC?
DefiLlama lists about $199,016,405 in TVL, down 1.1% over seven days. It has been tracked since 2024-12-20, and the figure changes over time.
Has sBTC been audited?
DefiLlama shows no audits for the project. That does not prove the code is unaudited, but readers should look for audit reports in the official documentation before depositing significant funds.
Does sBTC have its own token for governance or rewards?
No. DefiLlama lists the token as none. sBTC is a BTC-pegged asset rather than a governance or reward token.
How can developers use sBTC?
The Stacks docs have an sBTC section under their guides, alongside material on price oracles, onboarding users and Clarity smart contracts. Developers can use these to integrate sBTC into apps.
Compare
Stacks sBTC alternatives
Unit is the asset tokenization layer on Hyperliquid, letting users deposit and withdraw native assets like BTC, ETH and SOL.
Coinbase Bridge is a set of Coinbase-issued wrapped tokens backed 1:1 by held assets, covering Bitcoin, XRP, Cardano, Dogecoin and Litecoin.
LayerZero V2 is a cross-chain messaging protocol and bridge infrastructure for developers and asset issuers, connecting dozens of blockchains.
Chainlink CCIP is a cross-chain messaging and token-transfer protocol for developers, token issuers and institutions, with about $1.89B TVL on 21 chains.
USDT0 is Tether's omnichain system that puts USDT and tokenized gold (XAUT0) on 25+ blockchains, for users and protocols needing unified stablecoin liquidity.
Lombard BTC.b is a 1:1 Bitcoin representation for moving BTC across several chains in DeFi, secured by a validator consortium and redeemable for native BTC.
Same category
More Bridges
cBridge is Celer Network's multi-chain bridge for moving tokens across Ethereum, layer-2s and sidechains, for DeFi users who bridge between many networks.
Hyperliquid Bridge moves USDC from Arbitrum onto the Hyperliquid Layer 1 for traders using its perpetual and spot markets.
Wan Bridge is Wanchain's cross-chain bridge, linking over 30 networks including Bitcoin, XRPL, Ethereum and Solana, for users moving assets across chains.
FAssets is an over-collateralized bridge on Flare that lets XRP, BTC and DOGE holders mint wrapped tokens to use in DeFi.
BOB is a Bitcoin-focused EVM hybrid L2 with a Gateway for native BTC swaps, bridging and DeFi, aimed at Bitcoin holders and developers.
deBridge is a cross-chain protocol for swapping and transferring tokens and data between blockchains, aimed at users who move assets across networks.
Same chain
More on Bitcoin
OKX is a major centralized crypto exchange for spot and derivatives trading, earn products and a Web3 wallet, with its own OKB token.
Bitvavo is an Amsterdam-based, MiCA-authorized crypto exchange offering 400+ assets, euro deposits, staking and leverage trading for European users.
Robinhood is a US brokerage app offering commission-free stocks, options, futures and custodial crypto trading for retail investors.
Deribit is a centralized crypto derivatives exchange known for Bitcoin and Ethereum options, plus futures, perpetuals and spot, aimed at active and institutiona
Lombard issues LBTC, a yield-bearing Bitcoin token backed 1:1 by BTC, for holders and institutions who want to use Bitcoin in DeFi.
Gate is a centralized crypto exchange founded in 2013 offering spot, futures, stocks and earn products for traders who want one multi-asset account.
How we checked
Sources
Last updated . Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.