Stacks, a layer-2 network for Bitcoin, is set to launch a major upgrade called “Nakamoto” starting April 16th. This upgrade aims to significantly improve the speed and security of the Stacks network.

What is Stacks?

Stacks is a platform that allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts on the Bitcoin blockchain. However, the current system design has limitations, including slow block production and vulnerability to forks.

How Does Nakamoto Upgrade Help?

• Faster Block Production: Nakamoto separates block production from a process called “sortition,” allowing for faster creation of blocks. Miners can now produce more blocks simultaneously, while validators secure the network. This significantly increases transaction speed.
• Enhanced Bitcoin Finality: Transactions on Stacks will become as secure and irreversible as those on Bitcoin itself. This eliminates the risk of transaction reversal and strengthens the overall security of the Stacks ecosystem.
• Fairer Playing Field: The upgrade addresses “Miner Extractable Value” (MEV) concerns. By modifying the sortition algorithm, Bitcoin miners no longer have an advantage over Stacks miners, creating a more level playing field.
• Reduced Forks: The tight synchronization between Stacks and Bitcoin block production eliminates the need for forks within the Stacks blockchain, improving stability and immutability.

What are the Implications?

The Nakamoto upgrade is expected to attract developers to the Stacks platform, leading to the creation of new dApps and projects. This could bring more users and value to the Stacks ecosystem. The timing of the upgrade, coinciding with the Bitcoin halving, is seen as a positive sign for the future of Stacks.