> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.leather.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.leather.io/stacking-and-sbtc-reference/stacking-upcoming-cycle.md).

# Upcoming staking cycle

How reward cycles work, when staking closes and when a new stake starts earning.

A reward cycle is 2,100 Bitcoin blocks, about two weeks. Its last 100 Bitcoin blocks are the prepare phase, in which the network sets the signers for the next cycle.

* A stake made during a cycle starts earning when the next cycle begins.
* Staking, unstaking and stake updates are closed during the prepare phase. The pool page counts down with "Staking closes in" and then shows "Staking is briefly paused".
* "Days until next cycle" on "Your staking" shows how long the current cycle has left.

The length of a cycle in days varies with Bitcoin block times.