Stacks Asia Foundation
Stacks Asia Foundation is a nonprofit foundation established in 2024 that promotes the Stacks Bitcoin Layer-2 ecosystem across six Asian and UAE markets, focusing on driving sBTC adoption, institutional partnerships, and developer growth.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Stacks Asia Foundation does
Stacks Asia Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation established in September 2024 to accelerate the adoption of the Stacks Bitcoin Layer-2 ecosystem across Asia and the Middle East. Registered as the Stacks Asia DLT Foundation under Abu Dhabi Global Market's DLT Foundations Regulations 2023, it is the first Bitcoin-based foundation recognized under that framework. The foundation operates across six markets — Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the UAE — with regional leads serving as local contacts for developers, institutional investors, and ecosystem partners. It is wholly independent from the US-based Stacks Foundation but collaborates in complementary areas.
The foundation does not build core technology itself; instead, it promotes the Stacks Bitcoin Layer-2 blockchain and its key components: sBTC (a trustless, 1:1 Bitcoin-backed programmable asset enabling BTC to be used in DeFi without surrendering custody), Stacking (a mechanism for STX holders to earn BTC rewards through Proof of Transfer consensus), the Clarity smart contract language, and the Nakamoto upgrade enabling ~5-second block times with Bitcoin finality. It supports an ecosystem of DeFi protocols (ALEX, Hermetica, Zest Protocol, StackingDAO, Bitflow, Velar) and works with institutional custodians (Hex Trust, BitGo, Copper) and exchanges (Gate.io, Bitfinex) to expand access.
The foundation is funded by a $15 million initial allocation from private Stacks holders, with potential for further grants. It generates no direct revenue and does not charge fees for its core mission activities. Its go-to-market relies on event-driven engagement, strategic partnerships with regional consultancies and VCs (DeSpread, Spartan Group, SNZ, EVG, Aspen Digital, Taptive), and direct developer/institutional outreach to drive sBTC TVL toward a 21,000 BTC target. Kyle Ellicott serves as Executive Director.
Stacks Asia Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stacks Asia Foundation
- Legal name
- Stacks Asia DLT Foundation
- Website
- https://stacksasia.foundation
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Stacks Asia Foundation is a nonprofit foundation established in 2024 that promotes the Stacks Bitcoin Layer-2 ecosystem across six Asian and UAE markets, focusing on driving sBTC adoption, institutional partnerships, and developer growth.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stacks Asia Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bitcoin Layer-2 Ecosystem Development
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD)
Keywords
Where Stacks Asia Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abu Dhabi
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices2 records
Markets served
Stacks Asia Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Grant Funding from Private Stacks Holders: The foundation launched with a $15 million allocation granted from private Stacks holders for regional operations, with potential for further grants in the future. This is the primary funding source for the foundation's operations and initiatives.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Stacks Asia Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stacks Asia Foundation is a non-profit foundation that drives adoption of the Stacks Bitcoin Layer-2 ecosystem across Asia and the UAE. It does not sell a product directly but builds institutional relationships, funds ecosystem development, runs educational programs, and coordinates strategic partnerships to grow sBTC TVL, Stacking participation, and developer activity on the Stacks network. The foundation operates across Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the UAE under ADGM's DLT Foundations framework.
Product overview
Stacks Asia Foundation promotes the Stacks ecosystem, a Bitcoin Layer 2 blockchain that enables smart contracts and DeFi on Bitcoin. The core offerings include sBTC (a 1:1 Bitcoin-backed programmable asset for DeFi), Stacking (earning BTC rewards by locking STX), and the Stacks L2 platform itself. The Foundation operates across Asia (Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Southeast Asia, UAE) to drive adoption, focusing on three pillars: Relationships (institutional connections), Markets (liquidity and accessibility), and Adoption (TVL growth and user expansion). The ecosystem includes DeFi protocols like ALEX, Hermetica, StackingDAO, Zest Protocol, Bitflow, and Velar built on the Clarity smart contract language.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- sBTC
- Stacking
- Stacks Bitcoin Layer 2
- USDCx on Stacks
Quantifiable outcome
- Stacks surpassed Rootstock to become the leading Bitcoin L2 by BTC TVL in 2025, with sBTC TVL exceeding 5,000 BTC and growing toward a 21,000 BTC target.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Stacks Asia Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Stacks Asia Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
Stacks Asia Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Everest Ventures Group (EVG)coreEVG, Asia's leading Web3 group founded in 2018 with 300+ global team members, partners with the foundation to accelerate Stacks growth across Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. EVG conducts market awareness campaigns, localized marketing, targeted investor outreach, and influencer partnerships. EVG has supported 10+ unicorns and 150+ industry-leading projects including Celestia, Wormhole, Berachain, and Pudgy Penguins.
- Aspen DigitalcoreAspen Digital is a full-service digital asset private wealth management platform for family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Founded by EVG and TTB Partners with backing from Rothschild family (via RIT Capital Partners) and Liberty City Ventures, Aspen Digital holds broker-dealer, asset management, advisory, and custody licenses in ADGM. The firm published a bullish research report on Stacks and sBTC, aiming to unlock trillions in idle Bitcoin capital in Asia.
- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)coreThe foundation registered within ADGM as Stacks Asia DLT Foundation, leveraging ADGM's world-leading DLT Foundations framework based on English Common Law. This registration enables the foundation to operate globally without requiring a physical presence while benefiting from a progressive regulatory environment. ADGM's CEO of the Registration Authority, Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, welcomed the foundation as a key addition to the UAE's digital asset ecosystem.
- TaptivecoreTaptive, a growth agency for the Bitcoin economy led by Grant Nissly, partners with the foundation to drive sBTC TVL growth to 21,000 BTC. Taptive leads institutional relationship building, a Marketing Working Group (with LunarCrush and Coinage), and ecosystem application support for DeFi projects integrating sBTC.
- SNZ CapitalcoreSNZ Capital, a crypto-native research-driven investment company with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, and US, managing 200+ portfolios, is an early backer of sBTC. The firm participates in sBTC deposit caps and helps bring sBTC TVL to over 3,000 BTC, while bridging Western blockchain projects with Asian markets.
- LunarCrushsecondaryLunarCrush, founded in 2018, provides social intelligence and analytics for the Bitcoin ecosystem. The platform analyzes billions of social posts across 20,000+ assets to deliver market sentiment and engagement insights. In this partnership, LunarCrush supports the foundation's Marketing Working Group with social intelligence for go-to-market strategy.
- CoinagesecondaryCoinage is a community-owned Web3 media platform operating as a DAO, with traditional journalists as core contributors led by founder Zack Guzman. Coinage supports coordinated marketing campaigns for Stacks and sBTC within the Marketing Working Group.
- Trust MachinessecondaryTrust Machines, led by Stacks co-founder Muneeb Ali, is a key ecosystem partner working with the foundation's Business Development Working Group on outbound institutional growth strategies to drive new Bitcoin capital into sBTC.
- HirosecondaryHiro, a core developer tools company for Stacks, partners with the foundation's Business Development Working Group to support institutional growth and ecosystem development on the Stacks L2.
- Bitcoin L2 LabssecondaryBitcoin L2 Labs is a key ecosystem partner contributing to the foundation's outbound institutional growth strategy and the sBTC Signer network, helping drive Bitcoin capital into the Stacks DeFi ecosystem.
- DeSpread (Korea Partnership)coreExpanded partnership with DeSpread to accelerate Stacks and sBTC adoption in Korea. DeSpread supports sBTC adoption, creates educational content, and activates on-chain activity in Korea through monthly AMAs, meetups, and presence at major events like BUIDL Asia and Korea Blockchain Week.
- Hex TrustcoreHex Trust, a fully-licensed digital asset custodian with regulatory licenses in Hong Kong, Singapore (IPA), and Dubai, partnered with the foundation to expand institutional adoption of Stacks. Initiatives include operating its own Stacks Signer, providing Stacking services, implementing WalletConnect on-ramp integrations for Stacks DeFi apps, and supporting SIP-010 fungible token standard. Hex Trust manages $5 billion in assets under custody and serves 300+ institutional clients.
- DeSpreadcoreDeSpread, a Korea-based prominent Web3 market strategy consulting firm, serves as a strategic advisor and partner to the foundation. DeSpread supports sBTC adoption, builds educational resources, and drives on-chain activity on Stacks. The firm also conducts localized marketing and community engagement in Korea.
- Spartan GroupcoreSpartan Group, the leading blockchain advisory firm in Asia, serves as an advisor and strategic partner to the foundation. The firm supports Stacks' expansion into Asia, believing that Asia will lead consumer Web3 adoption and drive significant growth in the BTC ecosystem.
- SNZcoreSNZ, a crypto-native research-driven investment company based in Beijing with global operations, is one of the earliest backers of Stacks in Asia. SNZ has participated in both sBTC Cap 1 and Cap 2, contributed to sBTC TVL exceeding 3,000 BTC, and provides strategic advisory, community building, and infrastructure support (operating as a Signer).
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Stacks Asia Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stacks Foundation: The US-based Stacks Foundation is the parent ecosystem organization for the Stacks protocol. Stacks Asia Foundation was spun out from and collaborates with it, sharing mandate overlap in growing the Stacks ecosystem but with a regional focus.
- Babylon Foundation: Babylon is currently the #1 Bitcoin L2 by BTC TVL and is building Bitcoin staking infrastructure. It is the most direct competitor to Stacks for institutional Bitcoin capital allocation and ecosystem mindshare among Bitcoin L2s.
- Rootstock Labs: Rootstock is the longest-running Bitcoin L2 with smart contract capability (via RSK). Stacks surpassed it as the leading Bitcoin L2 by BTC TVL in 2025, making Rootstock a directly comparable incumbent in the Bitcoin DeFi space.
Emerging players
- Trust Machines: Led by Stacks co-founder Muneeb Ali, Trust Machines is a key Stacks ecosystem partner focused on building Bitcoin-native applications and institutional growth strategies. It operates within the same Stacks ecosystem as the foundation.
- Bitcoin L2 Labs: A Stacks ecosystem partner contributing to the foundation's outbound institutional growth strategy and the sBTC Signer network. It is comparable as a Bitcoin L2-focused contributor driving institutional Bitcoin capital into sBTC.
Broad incumbents
- Ethereum Foundation: A large, established blockchain foundation operating a comparable nonprofit model — funding ecosystem grants, developer relations, and protocol governance. It is the most analogous organizational template for a foundation of this scale, though Ethereum is not a Bitcoin L2.
- Solana Foundation: A blockchain foundation with a similar grantmaking, developer support, and regional growth playbook. While Solana is a non-Bitcoin L1, its foundation model for funding ecosystem expansion in Asia is directly comparable to Stacks Asia Foundation's strategy.
- Web3 Foundation: The foundation behind Polkadot, with a comparable model of funding ecosystem growth through grants and ecosystem teams. Relevant as a peer in the foundation-driven ecosystem development model applied to a specific blockchain.
- Blockstream (Liquid Network): Blockstream operates the Liquid Network, a Bitcoin sidechain with federation-based security. While architecturally distinct from Stacks' PoX consensus, it is a comparable institutional-grade Bitcoin L2 competitor with significant resources and incumbency.
Regional players
- Bitcoin Frontier Fund: Previously known as the Stacks Accelerator & Ecosystem Fund and built out by Executive Director Kyle Ellicott. It is a Bitcoin-focused fund that supports early-stage Stacks builders, making it a directly comparable investor/accelerator in the same ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Stacks Asia Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceStacks Asia Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Stacks Asia Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stacks Asia Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Stacks Asia Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stacks Asia Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Stacks Asia Foundation
What does Stacks Asia Foundation do?
Stacks Asia Foundation is a non-profit foundation that drives adoption of the Stacks Bitcoin Layer-2 ecosystem across Asia and the UAE. It does not sell a product directly but builds institutional relationships, funds ecosystem development, runs educational programs, and coordinates strategic partnerships to grow sBTC TVL, Stacking participation, and developer activity on the Stacks network. The foundation operates across Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the UAE under ADGM's DLT Foundations framework.
Is Stacks Asia Foundation a public or private company?
Stacks Asia Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Stacks Asia Foundation founded?
Stacks Asia Foundation was founded in 2024. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Stacks Asia Foundation based?
Stacks Asia Foundation is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Stacks Asia Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: grant Funding from Private Stacks Holders.
Who are Stacks Asia Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stacks Foundation, Babylon Foundation and Rootstock Labs. Emerging players are Trust Machines and Bitcoin L2 Labs. Broad incumbents are Ethereum Foundation, Solana Foundation, Web3 Foundation and Blockstream (Liquid Network). Bitcoin Frontier Fund is listed as a regional player.
Does Stacks Asia Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stacks Asia Foundation.
What industry is Stacks Asia Foundation in?
Stacks Asia Foundation's product category is Bitcoin Layer-2 Ecosystem Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAH, International Grantmaking & Development Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAK, Education Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 6199.