The IOTA network is making significant strides in real-world applications, particularly with live trading systems in Kenya and the UK, while also engaging in discussions within ASEAN nations. The token’s value is bolstered by deflationary fees, staking options, and locked deposits as trade volume increases on the public mainnet.
IOTA has unveiled an extensive strategy aimed at connecting the entire $35 trillion global trade economy to public blockchains through a regulated and technology-agnostic infrastructure that is ready for production. Co-founder Dominik Schiener emphasized that this initiative prioritizes tokenized assets, digital identities, and data integrity over speculative crypto trends. According to the IOTA Foundation, this approach is already operational across markets in Africa and Europe with plans for expansion into Asia.
The IOTA network has successfully integrated with the Trade Worldwide Information Network (TWIN), a robust system functioning on its Mainnet. TWIN facilitates document digitization and secures trade data instantaneously. Currently active in Kenya—beginning with flower exports—the platform aims to encompass all commodities by 2026. In addition, over 2,000 poultry shipments between Poland and Britain have been documented on the IOTA network to streamline regulatory processes.
https://t.co/wcpHOz85mP
— Dominik Schiener (@DomSchiener) January 22, 2026
The utility of the IOTA token within this framework cannot be overstated; each shipment generates approximately 26 transactions which means that even capturing just 1% of global trade could lead to over 650 million transactions annually.
IOTA Makes Progress in Africa While Eyeing ASEAN Expansion
The ADAPT initiative represents one of I OTA ’s most ambitious projects yet. Collaborating with organizations such as AfCFTA Secretariat , Tony Blair Institute ,and World Economic Forum ,ADAPT seeks to digitize trade infrastructure benefiting approximately1 .5 billion people across Africa by2035 . This project anticipates reducing border clearance times from14 days down to mere hours while slashing cross-border payment fees by more than50 % .
As previously mentioned by CNF ,the mainnet now hosts RealFi solutions like EV charger tokenization through partnerships like Bolt Earth . The ecosystem continues expanding rapidly; applications such as Salus (for mineral tokenization), Orobo (digital product passports),and ObjectID(verification for physical goods) are already operational.
Karen O’Brien,C MO at I OTA , stated,“Crypto doesn’t succeed through speculation; it thrives when addressing genuine economic challenges.” She further noted how” I OTA’s focusontrade identity,andtokenizedassetsisestablishingatrustlayerthatgovernmentsactivelyutilize.”
Meanwhile adoption throughoutSoutheastAsiaisgainingmomentum.AccordingtoSalima,” I OTA’s negotiationswithvariousASEANcountriesareprogressingrapidly.Regulatoryframeworksarebeingfinalized,somecountriesareevenpreparingformalagreements.Despitefragmentedadvancements,momentumcontinuesbuilding.
Salimapointedoutthattheregion’scombined650millionpopulationanddevelopedtokenizationlawspositionASEANasanidealcandidateforonchaintradeinfrastructure.
Atthenetworklevel,” I OTA hascontinuedenhancingitsarchitectureforlong-termscalabilityandsecurity.IntransitiontoMove-basedLayer1by2025asdescribedbyCNF,itimplementeddeflationarytokenomics,burningfeesacrossalltransactionswhilerequiringtokendepositsforstoringdigitalassets.
Coupledwithan11%APYstakingrewardanden terpriseaccumulation,thisstructureaimsto bolster$$IO TA’ slong-termutilityasadoptionincreases.Howeverthepriceof$IO TAhasremainedinthere dzoneafterstrugglingtopassresistanceat$0.090.As ofnow,thecurrenttradingpriceof$IO TAwas$0.08901,a2.%decline.