IOTA
IOTA

Important Details AboutIOTA (IOTA)

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IOTA powers a feeless, scalable ecosystem for the Internet of Things and real-world digital applications.

Explore IOTA’s growing real-world use cases—share your contact to get a detailed breakdown.

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IOTA
IOTA
$ 0.144425 -0.37%

Market cap

$ 598,138,534

Volume (24h)

$ 14,159,182

Total supply

4,745,709,499 IOTA

Max. supply

--

Circulating supply

4,139,559,359 IOTA

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What is IOTA, and how does it work?

IOTA is a distributed ledger technology designed to enable secure, feeless, and scalable data and value transfer for the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. Unlike traditional blockchain platforms, IOTA uses a unique architecture called the Tangle—a directed acyclic graph (DAG)—which removes the need for miners or blocks and allows for faster, lightweight transactions.

At its core, IOTA aims to be the backbone for machine-to-machine communication and microtransactions, enabling smart devices to interact and transact autonomously in a decentralized manner. By eliminating transaction fees and enabling infinite scalability, IOTA is well-suited for the emerging data economy where billions of devices communicate constantly.

The native token, MIOTA, is used to transfer value on the network, incentivize participation, and secure the network through a unique consensus mechanism embedded in the Tangle’s structure.

Who founded IOTA, and what is its mission?

IOTA was founded in 2015 by David Sønstebø, Sergey Ivancheglo, Dominik Schiener, and Serguei Popov—experts in distributed systems, cryptography, and IoT. The project is managed by the IOTA Foundation, a nonprofit organisation committed to driving adoption and development.

IOTA’s mission is to enable a decentralized and trustless data and value exchange layer for the Internet of Things. The goal is to create an infrastructure where connected devices can operate autonomously, exchanging resources and services without centralized intermediaries, lowering costs and opening new economic possibilities.

What makes IOTA different from other blockchain or DLT projects?

IOTA’s uniqueness lies in its Tangle architecture and focus on the Internet of Things:

  • Tangle (DAG-based ledger): Unlike blockchain’s linear chain of blocks, IOTA uses a DAG where each new transaction confirms two previous ones. This design allows for parallel transaction validation, enabling high scalability and no transaction fees.
  • Feeless transactions: IOTA eliminates fees, making it viable for micropayments and machine-to-machine microtransactions.
  • Quantum-resistant cryptography: IOTA employs post-quantum cryptographic algorithms to future-proof the network against quantum computing threats.
  • Data marketplace: IOTA enables secure, decentralized data sharing between devices and entities, creating a new economy for IoT data.

Coordicide: IOTA is transitioning to a fully decentralized network by removing its Coordinator node, a temporary mechanism that currently helps secure the network but introduces centralization risk. This upgrade will allow complete decentralization and improved scalability.

What problems is IOTA aiming to solve?

IOTA tackles several core challenges in IoT and distributed ledgers:

  1. Scalability bottlenecks: Traditional blockchains suffer from slow transaction speeds and rising fees under heavy load. IOTA’s Tangle allows infinite scaling as the network grows.
  2. High transaction costs: Most blockchains charge fees that make microtransactions impractical. IOTA’s feeless design enables cost-effective machine payments.
  3. Centralized data silos:IoT data is often locked within proprietary platforms. IOTA facilitates secure, permissioned data sharing that promotes interoperability.
  4. Security and privacy: IOTA integrates cryptographic techniques to protect data integrity and user privacy across devices.
  5. Complex coordination of billions of devices: IOTA provides an efficient, decentralized communication protocol tailored for the massive scale and diversity of IoT.
What are the core features of the IOTA ecosystem?
  1. The Tangle: A scalable, DAG-based ledger enabling fast, fee-free transactions and data transfers.
  2. MIOTA Token: The native currency facilitating value transfer and securing the network.
  3. Smart Contracts: IOTA supports layer-2 smart contract chains enabling flexible programmability while preserving the Tangle’s efficiency.
  4. Decentralized Identity (DID): IOTA provides self-sovereign identity solutions that empower users and devices with control over their data.
  5. Data Marketplace: A platform where data providers and consumers exchange IoT data securely and transparently.
  6. Coordicide Upgrade: The upcoming removal of the Coordinator to achieve full decentralization and trustlessness.

Masked Authenticated Messaging (MAM): A protocol for encrypted, verifiable data streams on the Tangle, ideal for IoT telemetry and supply chains.

How is IOTA built from a technical perspective?

IOTA’s architecture centers around the Tangle—a directed acyclic graph where each transaction approves two previous transactions, creating a web of interlinked validations rather than a linear chain.

Key technical components include:

  • Consensus through cumulative weight:A transaction’s validity is confirmed by how many subsequent transactions approve it, gradually building trust and finality.
  • Coordinator node (temporary):Currently, a special node issues periodic checkpoints to protect against attacks; set to be removed with Coordicide.
  • Curl and EdDSA cryptography:Cryptographic algorithms ensuring transaction security and future quantum resistance.
  • Layer-2 smart contract chains:Implemented via Shimmer (IOTA’s staging network), allowing decentralized applications without compromising scalability.
  • Masked Authenticated Messaging:Enables secure and private data streaming over the Tangle.
What makes IOTA’s smart contracts different?

IOTA’s smart contracts run on scalable layer-2 chains rather than directly on the Tangle. This design provides:

  • Modularity:Smart contracts operate on specialized chains that communicate with the main Tangle.
  • High throughput:Layer-2 chains allow thousands of transactions per second without congestion.
  • Interoperability:Contracts can interact with other chains and external data oracles.
  • Low fees:Thanks to the underlying feeless Tangle network, transaction costs remain minimal.
  • Deterministic finality:Transactions confirm quickly due to the Tangle’s consensus.

This approach enables developers to build complex decentralized applications suitable for IoT and beyond.

How does IOTA achieve scalability?

IOTA’s Tangle grows in throughput as more transactions are added, since each transaction validates two others, creating a self-scaling system. Unlike blockchains, there are no blocks or miners causing bottlenecks.

Additional scaling is provided by:

  • Layer-2 smart contract chainsfor offloading complex computation.
  • Sharding and subnetworksthat can specialize in specific tasks or industries.
  • Efficient cryptographic primitivesto minimize resource consumption.

As a result, IOTA is capable of supporting billions of microtransactions per second, ideal for large-scale IoT networks.

What is the consensus mechanism used by IOTA?

IOTA’s consensus is embedded in the structure of the Tangle itself. Each transaction validates two previous transactions, building a web of approvals. The network achieves consensus through:

  • Cumulative weight:The more a transaction is referenced by subsequent transactions, the higher its confidence level.
  • Tip selection algorithm:Nodes choose which transactions to approve based on a weighted random walk, promoting honest behavior.
  • Coordicide:The upcoming removal of the centralized Coordinator node will introduce fully decentralized consensus through a protocol called Fast Probabilistic Consensus (FPC).

This design achieves decentralization, security, and speed without proof-of-work mining.

Is IOTA compatible with Ethereum and EVM-based applications?

IOTA is developing interoperability solutions that enable interaction with Ethereum and other blockchains. Through bridges and cross-chain protocols, IOTA users and developers will be able to:

  • Transfer assets and tokens between IOTA and Ethereum.
  • Leverage Ethereum smart contracts alongside IOTA’s Tangle-based infrastructure.
  • Use wrapped tokens to access DeFi platforms on Ethereum.

Additionally, IOTA’s layer-2 smart contract chains are designed to be compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), easing developer onboarding and expanding cross-chain use cases.

How does IOTA integrate artificial intelligence (AI)?

IOTA’s data-centric approach naturally supports AI applications:

  • Secure data sharing:IoT data streamed via the Tangle can feed AI models without tampering.
  • Automated microtransactions:AI agents can transact autonomously based on real-time data insights.
  • Trustworthy data marketplaces:AI models can purchase, verify, and use data with cryptographic assurance.
  • Predictive analytics:Integration with AI oracles enhances smart contract automation and decision-making.

This combination opens the door for decentralized AI ecosystems powered by reliable data flows and autonomous economics.

What is the role of decentralized identity (DID) in IOTA?

Decentralized identity is a fundamental pillar of IOTA’s ecosystem. The IOTA DID framework provides:

  • Self-sovereign identity:Users and devices control their identity data without centralized intermediaries.
  • Verifiable credentials:Trusted attestations can be issued and verified on the Tangle.
  • Privacy-preserving authentication:Selective disclosure and zero-knowledge proofs protect user data.
  • Identity for machines:IoT devices gain unique, persistent identities enabling secure communication and transactions.

This enables secure, private, and interoperable identity management for humans and machines alike.

What is Shimmer, and how does it relate to IOTA?

Shimmer is IOTA’s staging and innovation network — similar to how Kusama supports Polkadot. It serves as a testbed for experimental features, including smart contracts, staking, and tokenization, before they’re deployed to the IOTA mainnet. Shimmer introduces native assets (custom tokens) and decentralized applications, making it a crucial component in IOTA’s long-term roadmap.

Does IOTA offer staking or token rewards?

Yes. IOTA introduced staking capabilities through Shimmer, where users can stake IOTA tokens to earn rewards in newly launched network tokens like SMR or ASMB (Assembly). While IOTA doesn’t use traditional Proof-of-Stake, it does incentivize token holders to participate in new network layers and ecosystem growth.

What is Coordicide, and why is it important?

Coordicide is the planned upgrade that will eliminate the Coordinator, a centralized node currently used to secure the IOTA network. Removing this will make IOTA fully decentralized. Coordicide introduces Mana (a reputation system), Fast Probabilistic Consensus, and network sharding — all key to achieving permissionless scalability and trustless operation.

What is Mana in IOTA?

Mana is a reputation-based resource mechanism introduced as part of Coordicide. It’s not a token, but rather a non-tradeable metric assigned to nodes based on token ownership and participation. Mana plays a role in spam protection, access control, and Sybil resistance, allowing IOTA to remain secure without Proof-of-Work or staking.

How does IOTA handle security and prevent spam?

Without miners or gas fees, IOTA uses several layers of protection:

  • Tip selection algorithms prevent double-spending and promote valid transactions.
  • Rate control mechanisms ensure fair network usage.
  • Mana provides Sybil resistance in the upcoming Coordicide upgrade.
  • Cryptographic techniques like W-OTS+ and EdDSA secure data integrity.
What wallets support IOTA?

The primary wallet is Firefly, a secure, open-source wallet developed by the IOTA Foundation. It supports:

  • MIOTA token management
  • Staking features
  • Ledger hardware wallet integration
  • Multi-account support
  • Firefly will also support native tokens and NFTs in future updates.

 

What is IOTA’s tokenomics? How is the supply structured?

IOTA’s total supply is fixed at2,779,530,283 MIOTA(i.e., nearly 2.78 billion tokens). There is no inflation or mining. This fixed supply ensures predictability and long-term economic stability. New networks like Shimmer and Assembly may introduce additional tokens, but IOTA’s main supply remains constant.

How does IOTA handle data immutability?

Transactions in IOTA are immutably anchored on the Tangle once confirmed. For extra integrity, IOTA supports zero-value transactions for logging data — ideal for supply chains and audit trails. Advanced use cases include:

Audit logs for device actions

Proof of data existence

Cryptographic hashing to link large off-chain files

Secure IoT telemetry for regulators or insurers

What is the difference between Shimmer, IOTA, and Assembly?
  • IOTA(Layer 1): Main DAG ledger for feeless, fast, and scalable transactions and digital assets.
  • Shimmer(Layer 1): Staging network for IOTA — used to test new features like tokenization, NFTs, smart contracts, and governance before mainnet deployment.
  • Assembly(Layer 2): A smart contract network for permissionless, scalable dApps. Developers can launch their own smart contract chains using custom fee and incentive models.

Think of it as:
→ IOTA = foundation
→ Shimmer = experimental launchpad
→ Assembly = dApp and smart contract scaling layer

How Can Businesses Benefit From Using IOTA?

Businesses, especially those involved in IoT, can benefit from IOTA’s fast, feeless, and scalable network to automate processes, track assets, and facilitate secure data sharing. Industries such as supply chain management, smart cities, and automotive sectors can leverage IOTA to enhance transparency, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency.

How does IOTA ensure security without mining?

IOTA achieves security via:

  • The Tangle: Transactions confirm previous ones, creating a web of mutual validation.
  • Mana (coming with Coordicide): A reputation-based Sybil protection mechanism that replaces proof-of-work/mining.
  • Tip selection algorithms: Choose which transactions to approve based on reliability and network consensus.
  • No block rewards or fees, so there’s no centralization of validation incentives — reducing attack vectors.
What standards and regulatory initiatives is IOTA involved in?

IOTA participates in several high-level regulatory and standardisation bodies:

  • W3C: For Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs)
  • EBSI (EU Blockchain Services Infrastructure): For EU-wide digital credentials
  • MOBI: For connected vehicle identity and mobility use cases
  • TM Forum: For telecom-sector decentralised infrastructure
  • ISO/TC 307: Blockchain and distributed ledger standards

This positions IOTA as a trusted enterprise and government-grade platform, beyond just cryptocurrency.

How does IOTA handle scalability as network usage grows?

IOTA’s DAG structure (the Tangle) is inherently scalable because:

  • Each new transaction confirms two previous ones, distributing validation across the network.
  • No blocks mean no bottlenecks; transactions can be processed in parallel.
  • After Coordicide, mana-based access control helps manage spam and prioritizes honest participants.
  • The parallelisation of smart contract chainson Assembly enables horizontal scaling for dApps.
  • The network throughput increases with the number of participants, unlike traditional blockchains.
Is IOTA Suitable for Everyday Transactions?

IOTA’s design focuses on enabling feeless and rapid transactions, which makes it particularly appealing for microtransactions, especially in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem where devices frequently exchange small amounts of data or value.

However, at present, IOTA is not primarily intended for everyday consumer payments like buying coffee or groceries. Its main strength lies in facilitating machine-to-machine communication and payments without the burden of transaction fees.

That said, as the technology matures and adoption grows, there is potential for IOTA to expand into more common payment use cases, possibly offering a seamless and cost-effective alternative to traditional payment networks.

What Are the Main Challenges Facing IOTA?

Despite its innovative design and promising technology, IOTA faces several challenges. One significant hurdle is achieving wider adoption beyond niche IoT applications, as the ecosystem is still relatively young compared to more established cryptocurrencies.

Network maturity is another concern—ensuring consistent performance and stability under increased loads is crucial for mass adoption. Additionally, IOTA competes with other blockchain and distributed ledger technologies that offer different strengths, which means it must continue to innovate and improve user experience.

Technical challenges such as simplifying the onboarding process for developers and users, enhancing security, and ensuring compatibility with existing systems are areas the IOTA Foundation is actively working on.

Where Can I Follow IOTA for Updates?

You can follow IOTA’s latest updates and developments through several official channels:

  • Official Website: https://www.iota.org— for news, blogs, and resources directly from the IOTA Foundation.
  • Twitter: @iota— frequent announcements, project updates, and community highlights.
  • Discord: Join the official IOTA Discord server for real-time discussions with developers, enthusiasts, and the community.
  • Reddit: r/IOTA— community discussions, news, and support.
  • Telegram:Official IOTA channels and groups provide updates and community chats.
  • YouTube: IOTA Foundation Channel— videos, webinars, and tutorials.
  • Medium: IOTA Medium — in-depth articles and development updates.
  • GitHub: IOTA’s repositories— for the latest code, releases, and developer contributions.

IOTA offers a unique approach to distributed ledger technology that goes beyond the limitations of traditional blockchains. By enabling fast, feeless, and scalable transactions, it positions itself as a leading solution for the emerging Internet of Things industry and beyond. For anyone interested in the future of digital transactions and connected devices, keeping an eye on IOTA is a smart move.

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