[Crypto projects](https://revain.org/projects/) › IOTA

# IOTA: how it works, supply and reviews

DeFi

## In short

- **Type**: Move-based layer-1 blockchain with object-centric architecture; EVM/Solidity contracts run on a layer 2
- **Maximum supply**: No fixed maximum; supply changes with staking-reward minting and fee burning
- **Risks and caveats**: IOTA has no fixed maximum supply; new tokens are minted every epoch and offset only by fee burning.
- **Checked**: 28 October 2026

## Key facts

- **Ticker**: IOTA
- **Category**: DeFi
- **Network**: token on Iota
- **Mining algorithm**: Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)
- **Official site**: [iota.org](https://iota.org/)
- **Whitepaper**: [iota.org/pdf/IOTA_Technical_and_Tokenomics_Whitepaper.pdf](https://www.iota.org/pdf/IOTA_Technical_and_Tokenomics_Whitepaper.pdf)
- **Source code**: [github.com/iotaledger](https://github.com/iotaledger)

Data: CoinGecko, 2026-10-27. Only projects that still trade with meaningful volume are listed.

## What is IOTA

IOTA is a public layer-1 blockchain for smart contracts written in Move, with an object-centric architecture and delegated proof-of-stake consensus. Its native token, IOTA, pays transaction fees, is staked with validators and is used in on-chain governance.

## Network and consensus

| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Move-based layer-1 blockchain with object-centric architecture; EVM/Solidity contracts run on a layer 2 |
| Consensus | Delegated proof of stake with the Starfish Byzantine fault tolerant protocol |
| Launched | Project founded in 2015; the current Move-based network (IOTA Rebased) replaced the earlier Stardust network |
| Epoch | Validator set and stakes are fixed for each epoch of about 24 hours |
| Programming language | Move on layer 1; Solidity on the IOTA EVM layer 2 |
| Validators | A validator needs a minimum stake of 6 million IOTA, which can be delegated by others |

## Supply and issuance

| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum supply | No fixed maximum; supply changes with staking-reward minting and fee burning |
| Initial distribution | 4,600,000,000 IOTA were migrated from the earlier Stardust network at the launch of IOTA Rebased |
| Issuance | 767,000 new IOTA are minted each epoch as staking rewards |
| Fee burn | Transaction fees are burned |

## What IOTA is used for

- Paying gas fees for transactions and on-chain storage.
- Staking with validators in delegated proof of stake.
- Value transfer and use in smart-contract applications.
- On-chain voting on issues such as protocol upgrades.

## Who develops and governs IOTA

- **Foundation**: IOTA Stiftung (IOTA Foundation), a foundation registered in Berlin, Germany
- **Headquarters**: Berlin, Germany
- **Governance**: Token holders vote on-chain on protocol upgrades; the IOTA Foundation leads development
- **Open source**: Yes; the node software is public on GitHub under the Apache-2.0 licence

## History

| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2015 | IOTA founded. |
| 28 April 2021 | Chrysalis network upgrade went live. |
| 4 October 2023 | Stardust protocol upgrade and network fork; the original network continued separately as IOTA Classic. |
| April 2026 | Mainnet consensus upgraded to Starfish, an evolution of Mysticeti designed to stay reliable in adverse network conditions. |

## Security and audits

- Consensus relies on an honest majority of validators; staking rewards are the incentive for honest behaviour.
- All transactions and assets are publicly viewable, so asset changes can be audited on-chain.

## Risks and caveats

- IOTA has no fixed maximum supply; new tokens are minted every epoch and offset only by fee burning.
- Staked IOTA is locked for the whole epoch and can only be withdrawn when the epoch changes.
- Smart contracts written in Move can still contain logic errors, and the project recommends audits.

## Official links

- Website: [www.iota.org](https://www.iota.org/)
- Docs: [docs.iota.org](https://docs.iota.org/)
- Block explorer: [explorer.iota.org](https://explorer.iota.org/)
- Source code: [github.com/iotaledger/iota](https://github.com/iotaledger/iota)
- Blog: [blog.iota.org](https://blog.iota.org/)

## Questions and answers

**What is IOTA?**

IOTA is a Move-based layer-1 blockchain with delegated proof-of-stake consensus. IOTA is also the name of its native token.

**Who is behind IOTA?**

IOTA was founded in 2015 and is developed by the IOTA Foundation (IOTA Stiftung), a foundation registered in Berlin, Germany.

**What is the maximum supply of IOTA?**

There is no fixed maximum. 4.6 billion IOTA were migrated at the launch of IOTA Rebased, and 767,000 IOTA are minted each epoch while fees are burned.

**How does IOTA reach consensus?**

Token holders delegate stake to validators, who run the Starfish Byzantine fault tolerant protocol to finalise transactions.

## Sources

- [CoinGecko — IOTA](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/iota)
- [IOTA — Intro to IOTA](https://www.iota.org/learn/intro)
- [IOTA — Tokenomics](https://www.iota.org/learn/tokenomics)
- [IOTA Foundation — Impressum](https://www.iota.org/impressum)
- [IOTA Blog — Starfish on Mainnet](https://blog.iota.org/starfish-mainnet-release/)
- [IOTA Blog — The new Chrysalis network is live](https://blog.iota.org/the-new-chrysalis-network-is-live/)
- [IOTA Blog — IOTA Stardust Upgrade](https://blog.iota.org/iota-stardust-upgrade/)

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- [All Crypto projects →](https://revain.org/projects/)

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Page updated: 2026-10-31

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Source: https://revain.org/projects/iota/