Asymmetric Research Joins Stacks Ecosystem to Strengthen sBTC Security

• Asymmetric Research has joined the Stacks ecosystem to enhance the security of the upcoming sBTC asset.

• The partnership includes auditing and participation in the Stacks signer network alongside other industry leaders.

New York, 22 October 2024–  Stacks Foundation and Asymmetric Research, a renowned security firm, announced a strategic partnership to strengthen the security in the Stacks ecosystem, a leading Bitcoin L2.  Asymmetric is already involved in auditing the upcoming sBTC asset and participating in the Stacks signer network

Asymmetric brings extensive experience securing top protocols, including Solana, Cosmos, and the Wormhole bridge, making it a valuable addition to security initiatives.

Bitcoin DeFi Gains Protection Through Multiple Measures

Asymmetric Research’s involvement in the Stacks ecosystem marks a significant milestone in enhancing security for the sBTC asset. The sBTC is an asset backed by Bitcoin that offers decentralized programmability while preserving Bitcoin’s security. The 1:1 Bitcoin backing of the asset will enable developers to tap into the $1.2 trillion Bitcoin capital and create Bitcoin-based DeFi dApps.

The signers in the Stacks network, including Asymmetric, are crucial in guaranteeing the safe transfer of Bitcoin to the Bitcoin L2 ecosystem. The integration of Asymmetric into the Stacks signer network expands the sBTC security framework and includes other prominent market participants like BitGo, Blockdaemon, and Copper.

The launch of sBTC is anticipated to propel Bitcoin DeFi, and security is a significant concern. The network’s security model has a decentralized network of validators and signers to reduce counterparty risks. In collaboration with firms such as Asymmetric Research, Stacks Foundation seeks to implement strong security features across all levels.

The Stacks ecosystem has launched several other security measures in 2024, such as audits, bug bounties, and collaborations with Hypernative and the Staking Defense League. These measures, along with Asymmetric’s involvement, guarantee that the sBTC is secure from both the technological and operational points of view.

The Recent Progress

This integration with Asymmetric comes as the Stacks ecosystem is gaining momentum after resolving a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation. The SEC opened an investigation into Stacks in 2021 and concluded the case in July 2024 without suggesting any enforcement action against Stacks ecosystem or its developer, Hiro Systems. The investigation had raised concerns about the company’s adherence to securities laws, but the conclusion of the investigation paved the way for Stacks to concentrate on growing Bitcoin.

Earlier this year, new technological advancements were introduced through the Nakamoto upgrade, which increased the transaction rate and block creation on the protocol. These changes have allowed Stacks ecosystem to be better connected to other blockchain systems and enhanced the use of Bitcoin in Web3 and DeFi.

As of now, the network’s native token, STX, is trading at approximately $1.81, reflecting a decline of 2.93% over the past 24 hours. The daily trading volume stands around $58.83 million, indicating ongoing interest in Stacks amid the recent developments.