IOTA announces network upgrade for more real-world adoption

The IOTA Foundation has announced a sweeping upgrade to its blockchain network, aiming to improve scalability, decentralization, and real-world use cases.

Dubbed “IOTA Rebased,” the proposal will transition IOTA’s Layer 1 network to a Move-based object ledger, introducing programmability and enabling tens of thousands of transactions per second.

If approved by token holders, the upgrade will mark a shift to a delegated proof-of-stake mechanism with 150 permissionless validators to secure the network.

This move will replace IOTA’s (IOTA) existing architecture with a decentralized structure, allowing for faster and more secure transactions. The proposal also incorporates the Move programming language, enabling smart contracts directly on the Layer 1 network. This feature is designed to expand IOTA’s application in industries such as supply chain tracking, asset tokenization, and digital identity systems, according to the company.

IOTA has created a governance post so the community can discuss and debate the protocol upgrade. The vote will officially go live on December 2.

In August, IOTA introduced a blockchain-based tool to simplify music rights management in the film industry. Developed under the European Blockchain Pre-Commercial Procurement initiative, the tool aims to streamline negotiations and secure intellectual property rights.

Move ecosystem merge

Joining the Move ecosystem alongside platforms like Sui (SUI) and Aptos (APT), IOTA aims to leverage MoveVM’s capabilities while becoming the first Layer 1 network to adopt this architecture.

The IOTA Foundation has launched a Move-based testnet to showcase the upgrade’s potential, accompanied by tools for developers, including a browser wallet extension and updated documentation.

The economic model under the proposed system introduces staking rewards and a dynamic token supply. Validators and delegators will earn newly minted IOTA tokens with an initial annual inflation rate of 6-7%, translating to a projected 10-15% annual return for stakers, according to the company release.

This model aims to incentivize network participation while maintaining fair tokenomics through mechanisms like fee burning.

“This upgrade could significantly accelerate our adoption efforts by introducing programmability and full decentralization to IOTA. We believe this proposal has the best chance of delivering value for the IOTA ecosystem.”

Dominik Schiener, Co-Founder and Chair of the IOTA Foundation.

With the Rebased proposal, IOTA seeks to strengthen its position as a leading blockchain infrastructure, focusing on bridging decentralized technology with practical, real-world applications.