3 Bitcoin-Linked Bets to Watch in 2025: Stacks (STX), Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER), and ORDI

Why Bitcoin’s Momentum Matters in 2025

Bitcoin’s 2025 rally isn’t just about price—it’s a story of institutional adoption. ETF inflows have surged, whales are accumulating, and macroeconomic conditions (think rate cuts and weakening inflation) are creating a perfect storm for crypto. But while BTC grabs headlines, its LAYER 2 and BRC-20 ecosystems are quietly breeding innovation. Let’s unpack three projects riding this wave.

1. Stacks (STX): Bitcoin’s DeFi Powerhouse

Stacks isn’t just another altcoin—it’s Bitcoin’s smart contract layer. By enabling DeFi, NFTs, and yield opportunities without compromising BTC’s security, STX has become the go-to for developers building on Bitcoin. Its Proof of Transfer (PoX) consensus is pure genius: stake STX, earn BTC. In past bull cycles, STX outperformed bitcoin itself, and 2025 could repeat history.

As of September 2025, STX trades at $0.6182 with a $1.1B market cap (per CoinMarketCap). Partnerships with institutional players like Fidelity and a 300% YoY increase in active developers suggest this is just the beginning. “Stacks solves Bitcoin’s programmability problem while keeping its decentralized ethos,” notes a BTCC analyst. “That’s why it’s my top pick for this cycle.”

2. Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): The ZK-Rollup Dark Horse

Meet Bitcoin Hyper—the Layer 2 project turning heads with its zero-knowledge rollup tech. While Stacks dominates today, HYPER’s promise of sub-cent fees and near-instant finality (thanks to ZK proofs) could rewrite the rulebook. What’s wild? It’s still in presale at $0.0127, having raised $9.3M from early backers.

The numbers speak for themselves: 116% APY for stakers, transactions verified on Bitcoin’s mainchain, and a roadmap packed with cross-chain bridges. “HYPER feels like Arbitrum did in 2021—everyone’s sleeping on it,” quips a pseudonymous developer in their Telegram group. With mainnet launch slated for Q4 2025, this might be your last chance to get in early.

3. ORDI (ORDI): The Original BRC-20 Token

Born from the Ordinals protocol in March 2023, ORDI pioneered inscriptions on Bitcoin. Its fixed supply of 21M tokens (a nod to BTC’s scarcity) now fuels everything from NFT marketplaces to DeFi integrations. Despite scalability debates, ORDI commands 25% of Bitcoin’s block space as of August 2025—a testament to its staying power.

TradingView charts show ORDI’s price consolidating after a 700% run earlier this year. “BRC-20 tokens are Bitcoin’s answer to Ethereum’s ERC-20s,” explains a BTCC market report. “ORDI’s first-mover advantage makes it the blue-chip pick.”

The Bottom Line

Bitcoin’s ecosystem is evolving beyond store-of-value narratives. Whether it’s Stacks’ DeFi playground, HYPER’s speed revolution, or ORDI’s cultural footprint, these projects offer asymmetric upside. Just remember—this isn’t financial advice. Do your own research, maybe stake some STX, and keep an eye on that HYPER presale. The next few months could get interesting.

Your Bitcoin Bet Questions, Answered

Which Bitcoin Layer 2 has the highest TVL in 2025?

As of September 2025, Stacks leads with $1.2B in Total Value Locked (TVL), per DefiLlama. Its PoX mechanism and institutional backing give it an edge.

Is Bitcoin Hyper’s presale still open?

Yes! The HYPER presale runs until October 15, 2025. You can participate through their official website (always verify URLs to avoid scams).

How do I store ORDI tokens securely?

Use wallets supporting BRC-20 tokens like Unisat or Xverse. Hardware wallets (Ledger/Trezor) are safest for long-term holds.