Summary

Get a Stacks wallet, set it up safely, and fund it with STX, BTC, and sBTC (via the official sBTC bridge). This guide focuses on two popular self-custody wallets: Leather and Xverse.

Two wallets to choose from

Leather and Xverse are both free, self-custody wallets (you hold your own keys) that work with Stacks (STX) and Bitcoin (BTC). They differ in platforms and features, so choose what fits your setup. Both are interoperable, so you can also use them together.

• Whichever you choose, the setup and funding steps below apply to both.

Step 1: Get the wallet

Safety rule above all else: only download from the official site. Bookmark it. Fake wallet extensions and apps are one of the most common ways people lose funds.

• Leather official site: https://leather.io
• Xverse official site: https://xverse.app

Option A: Leather (mobile or browser extension)

• Desktop: Go to leather.io → click Install or Download → choose your browser → reach the official extension store listing → click Add to Chrome (or Brave, Edge, Opera) → Add Extension. Pin the Leather icon to your toolbar.
• Mobile: Search “Leather Bitcoin Wallet” in the App Store / Google Play (or use the links on leather.io). Confirm the developer is Leather.

Option B: Xverse (mobile or extension)

• Mobile: Search “Xverse” in the App Store / Google Play (or use the links on xverse.app). Confirm the developer is Xverse.
• Desktop: On xverse.app, choose the Chrome extension and add it the same way as above.

Step 2: Set it up (and back it up properly)

The steps are nearly identical for both wallets:

• Open the wallet and choose Create a new wallet.
• The wallet shows you a secret recovery phrase (a list of words: Leather uses 24, Xverse uses 12).
• Write it down on paper, in order. Store it somewhere private. Do not screenshot it, email it, or save it in your notes app or cloud.
• Confirm the phrase when prompted, then set a password or PIN (this only unlocks the app on this device; the recovery phrase is the real key).
• Done — you now have a Stacks wallet.

What the recovery phrase actually does

It is your wallet. Anyone with it controls your money, and if you lose it, no one can recover your funds (including Leather, Xverse, or anyone else). Treat it like the only key to a safe. Many people keep a second copy in a separate location.

• Optional (recommended for larger amounts): both wallets can connect to a Ledger hardware wallet (cold storage).

Step 3: Find your addresses

Your wallet has separate addresses for different chains. Sending to the wrong one is a common mistake. In either wallet, tap Receive and you will see:

• A Stacks (STX) address, usually starting with SP… → use this for STX and sBTC
• A Bitcoin (BTC) address, starting with bc1… (or similar) → use this for BTC
• Rule of thumb:
• STX and sBTC go to your Stacks address (SP…)
• BTC goes to your Bitcoin address (bc1…)
• sBTC lives on Stacks, so it uses the Stacks address, not the Bitcoin one

Step 4: Fund it

Fund with STX

Easiest (Xverse, buy with money):

• Open Xverse → tap Buy → choose Stacks (STX).
• Enter an amount and pick a payment method (card, Apple/Google Pay, PayPal, and more).
• Compare the aggregated providers (look for “Best Price”), confirm, and complete any ID check.
• STX usually arrives in minutes.
• From an exchange (works for both wallets):
• Buy STX on an exchange that lists it.
• In your wallet, tap Receive → Stacks (STX) → copy the SP… address.
• On the exchange, withdraw STX to that address. (Send a small test amount first if you’re nervous.)
• Leather can also buy STX in-app via Fast Checkout (through providers like Coinbase, MoonPay, and Transak), or you can transfer STX in from an exchange/another wallet.

Fund with BTC

Buy in app (Xverse): Tap Buy → Bitcoin → choose a payment method → confirm.

• Transfer in (both wallets):
• Tap Receive → Bitcoin → copy your bc1… address.
• Send BTC to it from an exchange or another wallet.
• Double-check it is the Bitcoin address, not the Stacks one.

Fund with sBTC

sBTC is a token backed by Bitcoin at a 1:1 ratio that lives on the Stacks layer — so you can use your BTC inside Stacks apps (and potentially earn yield). You get it by bridging real BTC into sBTC.

• You will need:
• some BTC already in your wallet (see above)
• your Stacks address (SP…)
• Steps:
• Go to the official sBTC bridge: https://sbtc.stacks.co
• Click Connect Wallet and connect Leather or Xverse.
• Choose Deposit (BTC → sBTC) and enter the BTC amount.
• Confirm your Stacks receiving address (SP…) (this is where the sBTC lands).
• Sign the Bitcoin transaction in your wallet and set the BTC network fee.
• Wait for confirmation. sBTC typically arrives in ~20 minutes (1–2 Bitcoin confirmations).
• Going the other way (sBTC → BTC) is a withdrawal on the same bridge.
• Fees (deposit):
• the Bitcoin network fee you set
• plus the bridge/protocol processing fee (shown before you confirm)

Quick troubleshooting

“My funds aren’t showing up.”

• Bitcoin confirmations take time — check the transaction on a block explorer, and confirm you sent to the correct chain’s address.
• “I see two different addresses.”
• That’s normal: one is for Bitcoin, one is for Stacks. Match the asset to the right one.
• “Can I move between Leather and Xverse?”
• Yes. You can also import the same wallet into both by entering your recovery phrase — only do this on devices you trust.
• “I lost my password.”
• Reinstall the wallet and restore with your recovery phrase (that’s exactly what it’s for).

The 30-second checklist

• Download only from leather.io or xverse.app
• Recovery phrase written on paper, stored offline, never screenshotted
• Password/PIN set
• Know which address is Stacks (SP…) vs Bitcoin (bc1…)
• Funded: STX (buy/transfer), BTC (buy/transfer), sBTC (bridge from BTC)
• Send a small test amount before any large transfer

https://www.stacks.co/blog/the-easy-guide-to-getting-a-stacks-wallet-leather-or-xverse