Capital Stack Architecture
Capital stack architecture describes the arrangement of different layers of financing within a financial entity or protocol. It represents the full spectrum of capital, ranging from the most senior debt to the most junior equity or governance tokens.
Each layer in the stack has different risk-return profiles, legal or technical rights, and priorities in the event of insolvency. By designing a capital stack, protocols can attract different types of investors, such as risk-averse lenders and risk-seeking speculators.
The architecture dictates how losses are absorbed across the system. Effective stack design is critical for maintaining protocol stability and ensuring that senior layers remain protected during market downturns.
It is the blueprint for how value is distributed and risk is shared among all participants.