docs/org/token.md

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description: "Blockstack token holder documentation"

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# Learn more about the Stacks token

Stacks is the name of a token developed by Blockstack Token LLC in 2017 and
activated in the third quarter of 2018. This page discusses a brief history of
the Stacks token and deployment on the Blockstack network as well as the current
role of the Stacks token.

If you are a developer interested in the specific technical changes related to
the 2018 launch, see the <a href="https://forum.blockstack.org/t/blockstack-annual-hard-fork-2018/6518" target="\blank" >announcment in the Blockstack forum</a>.

## A brief history of the Stacks token

In 2017 Blockstack did a token sale. Participants became token holders when they
received allocations of Stacks tokens in the genesis block. A genesis block is
the first block of a blockchain.

During the draft genesis block period token holders setup a seed phrase
(sometimes referred to as a _recovery phrase_ or a _recovery seed_ using the
Stacks Wallet software or their own hardware wallet.

It was each token holder’s responsibility to store their own seed phrase in a
private and secure location. Holders could use their wallet to verify their
holdings and allocations on the genesis block explorer. Beyond that, while in
draft state, token holders were in a lock down period.

## State of the Stacks blockchain V1

The initial block in the Stacks blockchain V1 allocates 1.32 billion
tokens. The launch is the culmination of two year’s hard work across the greater
Blockstack community. With the launch, Stacks tokens unlock for accredited token
holders under a predetermined unlocking schedule. The events on the unlocking
schedule are the same for each investor, **the dates of these events** depend on the
holder's purchase date.

<div class="uk-alert-success" uk-alert><b>Note:</b> If you are a token holder
and would like to review your unlocking schedule, visit the <a
href="tokenholders.html">For current token holders</a> page in this
documentation.</div>

The genesis block launch makes possible the following interactions:

* Token holders can purchase names and namespaces with the Stacks token. Previously, names and namespaces required the purchaser to hold Bitcoin. Initially, this process relies on the Blockstack command-line interface (CLI).

* Application developers can earn Stacks by building an application on the Blockstack ecosystem.

* Any Stacks tokens held at the time of launch or after remain usable under the Stacks Blockchain platform.

Finally, in addition to the development of Stacks token, this launch enables
further development of Stacks Blockchain itself.