IOTA’s Major Milestone: Mainnet Launch and Rebase
In a significant development for the cryptocurrency landscape, IOTA has officially launched its mainnet upgrade, marking a pivotal moment in its history. The upgrade, known as the Rebased Protocol, was initiated on May 5, 2025, and has been described by IOTA co-founder Dominik Schiener as the most exciting day in the project’s history. This upgrade is set to enhance the network’s capabilities significantly, with expectations to achieve a Transaction Per Second (TPS) rate of 50,000 and introduce staking with an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 10-15%.
The transition from the original stardust mainnet to the new IOTA network is a testament to the project’s evolution and its commitment to innovation. Schiener expressed his enthusiasm on social media, highlighting the decade-long journey with the community to bring this vision to fruition. The upgrade is not just a technical enhancement but a milestone that reflects the collaborative effort of the IOTA community.
Key Developments and Implications
New Explorer and Wallet: With the mainnet launch, users can now access the rebased network through the new explorer at explorer.iota.org. Additionally, a new wallet has been made available, facilitating user interaction with the upgraded network.
Exchange Activity: In anticipation of the upgrade, major exchanges, including Binance and Bithumb, have temporarily disabled deposits and withdrawals of IOTA tokens. This measure is to ensure a smooth transition during the upgrade process.
Community and Market Reaction: The upgrade has generated significant excitement within the crypto community, with many viewing it as a critical step towards realizing IOTA’s full potential. The market cap of IOTA stands at approximately $762 million, with a close price of $0.203 as of May 4, 2025. The upgrade is expected to have a positive impact on the asset’s valuation, given its enhanced capabilities and the introduction of staking.
Looking Forward
The IOTA Rebased mainnet upgrade is a landmark event that underscores the project’s innovative approach to addressing scalability and efficiency in the cryptocurrency space. With the successful launch of the mainnet and the introduction of staking, IOTA is poised to attract a broader user base and solidify its position in the market.
As the network transitions, the crypto community will be closely watching the impact of these changes on IOTA’s performance and its broader implications for the industry. The upgrade not only represents a technical achievement but also a strategic move to enhance the network’s utility and appeal to investors and users alike.
In conclusion, the IOTA mainnet launch and rebase are not just technical milestones but pivotal moments that could redefine the project’s trajectory. As the network stabilizes and begins to operate at its full capacity, the coming months will be crucial in assessing the long-term impact of this upgrade on IOTA and the cryptocurrency ecosystem at large.