> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.stacks.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.stacks.co/operate/protocol-bonds.md).

# Protocol Bonds

Protocol bonds pair a Bitcoin commitment with locked STX. Guides for running and ending a bond position.

A protocol bond pairs a Bitcoin commitment with an STX lock for a 12-cycle term. The Bitcoin side is either a timelocked UTXO you hold on Bitcoin L1, or sBTC held by the contract.

This section is being built out. One guide is available now:

* [Bond pool operator guide](/operate/protocol-bonds/bond-pool-operator-guide.md): running a whitelisted community sBTC pool.

For the conceptual overview, see [Bitcoin Staking](https://docs.stacks.co/learn/bitcoin-staking).


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