Block Production
Block production is a key concept to understand how Stacks operates under the hood. This section walks through the three main actions that need to happen for the Stacks network to operate.
Mining
Miners are responsible for building and proposing new blocks on the Stacks chain.
Signing
Signing is the process used to validate blocks and sign sBTC deposits and withdrawals. Stackers participate in signing once they meet stacking prerequisites.
Stacking
Stacking is an action performed by stackers that is a necessary prerequisite to signing. It enables participation in validation and earning rewards.
There are two primary parties in Stacks block production: miners, stackers, and signers. Miners build and propose new blocks, while stackers validate those blocks and sign sBTC deposits and withdrawals. Stacking enables stackers to participate in signing.
Core Roles: Miner vs Stacker vs Signer
Miner
Produce Stacks blocks
Sends BTC in PoX to compete for the right to write the next block and earn STX
Earns STX block rewards + fees
Bitcoin (for bids) + Stacks
Stacker
Secure the network via PoX
Locks STX and signals support for consensus
Earns BTC from miners
Stacks (locks STX), rewards on Bitcoin
Signer
Validate and finalize blocks
Participates in block signing to confirm canonical chain state; defines reward set
Rewards based on custom agreements with Stackers
Stacks
The relationship between Stackers and Signers
As you read through the Stacking section, you may find that Stackers are interchangeably referred to as Signers. It's true that Stackers can also take on the role of a Signer, and vice versa, but there's some nuances to it that need to be understood:
Not all stackers are signers → because stackers can delegate their participation (including signing responsibilities)
All signers are backed by their own STX or delegated STX → to be in the signer set, you must represent stacked STX weight
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