STX:LDN Roadmap 23/24 — Part 1: Why Did We Setup STX:LDN? 

STX:LDN is a local community-driven group, working to expand the Stacks Blockchain community and Bitcoin ecosystem in the UK. Set up by Bitcoin enthusiasts Nathaniel Cole, Conrad Carlson & Marlon Benjamin, who are also co-founders of NFT Clothing Club, a Bitcoin-integrated phygital fashion brand. STXLDN’s main mission is to drive awareness of and insight into building on Bitcoin with Stacks through hosting events and technical aid respectively. 

Over a series of 3 articles, this blog will explore why STX:LDN was set up, what it has achieved so far, how it fits into the Stacks Foundation’s wider outreach strategy and what’s to come from the London chapter.

But first, let’s start with the background. 

Bitcoin is a Community

Fundamentally, Bitcoin is a community-build & driven technology that relies on the contribution and skills of individuals to achieve its goal: to become a globally used peer-to-peer cashless payment system. 

This community ethos is not only fundamental to Bitcoin, however, but all the decentralised technologies that have been developed since, particularly those in the ‘Building on Bitcoin’ ecosystem.

Stacks, a scaling and smart contract solution for Bitcoin decided to embed this ethos into its global presence strategy, providing grants to Bitcoin enthusiasts around the world to set up and organise local chapters. STX:LDN, the local Stacks chapter in London, UK, is one such chapter.

Why London?

The UK, and London in particular, has always been a global driver for new technologies from the days of the first industrial revolution. Today, London plays host and home to some of the brightest minds in Web3, including Adam Back, a pioneer of decentralised technologies and a candidate for Satoshi Nakamoto. 

Moreover, the UK government is actively involved in both curating the legal landscape for the Web3 space in the UK and supporting development through active experimentation. 

As such, London is the perfect home for a project like Stacks that is on a mission to elevate Bitcoin to the next level, and the perfect place to start a Stacks community.  

A Quick Start

Following a self-start in community research and out-of-pocket startup costs, STX:LDN received a grant from the Stacks Foundation to begin organising to make use of the landscape in London and the wider UK. 

In quick succession, the small team of 3 quickly began securing development partnerships, contacting exchanges to ensure STX was listed, organising online events and partnering with other local Web3 communities. 

The team also began laying the groundwork for Bitcoin advocacy and education, as well as planning several other initiatives to help expand the Stacks ecosystem in the UK.  As STX:LDN approaches its first Birthday, there is plenty more in the works for those embarking on their Bitcoin journey.

In the next article, we’ll take a look at some of these projects, what they achieved for STX:LDN and how they’re helping to position Stacks as a pioneer and premier choice for those building in Bitcoin’s wider ecosystem.

About STX:LDN 

STX:LDN is a London-based, community-led group, working to educate community members and all interested parties about the Stacks, as well as expand the wider Stacks community and Bitcoin ecosystem.

STX:LDN hosts a series of events in and around London, UK, on topics related to both Stacks and Bitcoin in addition to organizing workshops & courses that focus on building on Bitcoin using Stacks. 

The community also provides consultancy services for both individual founders and developer organizations looking to launch a new product within the Stacks ecosystem.

To learn more about what STX:LDN provides or to get involved in the community, visit the STX:LDN website below.

Stacks is a Layer 1 blockchain solution, that recycles Bitcoin's POW algorithm, without the consumption of extra energy.

Centric on the original vision of Bitcoin, Stacks provides the capability to build dApps, NFTs and DeFi applications utilising the unique decentralization and security of the Bitcoin blockchain. -- Learn More