KEY TAKEAWAYS
- IOTA is transitioning to a new Move-based protocol with a fully decentralized, delegated Proof of Stake network by May 2025.
- The Genesis Ceremony will involve 13 trusted validators to ensure a secure and effective transition of assets and data.
- Post-launch, the network will expand to 50 active validators, enhancing stability and fostering decentralized application growth.
The IOTA network is set to undergo a significant transformation with the launch of its Rebased Mainnet, scheduled for May 5, 2025. This transition marks a pivotal shift from the current Stardust protocol to a new Move-based protocol, aiming to establish a fully decentralized, delegated Proof of Stake network.
The transition will be initiated through a Genesis Ceremony, conducted by a group of 13 highly trusted Genesis Validators. These validators will ensure a secure and effective transition of all assets and data from the existing network to the new mainnet. The process is designed to maintain decentralization, ensuring that no single entity gains control over the network.
Genesis Validators and Transition Process
The Genesis Validators, comprising entities like the IOTA Foundation, IOTA Ecosystem DLT Foundation, and Tangle Ecosystem Association, have been preparing for this launch over the past five months. Their collaboration aims to resolve technical issues and ensure a smooth transition. Each validator will independently create and verify the Genesis state of the new IOTA Mainnet, ensuring a 1:1 transfer of the final ledger state from the Stardust network.
The decision to limit the number of Genesis Validators to 13 was made to manage communication complexity and ensure prompt and correct actions during the Genesis process. Internal testing revealed that increasing the number of validators would extend the time required for the ceremony and complicate issue resolution, with only marginal benefits to decentralization and security.
Validator Onboarding and Future Developments
Following the successful launch of the new network, infrastructure such as API endpoints, Wallet, and Explorer will be provided for user interaction. In the subsequent Epoch, new validators can join the network in a decentralized and permissionless manner, based on the delegation decisions of IOTA stakers.
Validators who qualified during the Public Testnet phase will receive delegated funds from the Foundation’s treasury gradually. The network is expected to reach its full committee size of 50 active validators within five Epochs, with validator rankings determined by the amount of delegation received from IOTA token holders.
The transition to IOTA Rebased represents a significant milestone for the IOTA ecosystem, promising enhanced stability and resilience. As the phased rollout progresses, the network is anticipated to unlock new opportunities for users and developers, fostering the growth of decentralized applications within the IOTA ecosystem.
For more details, the official announcement can be found here.
Why This Matters: Impact, Industry Trends & Expert Insights
The IOTA network is transitioning to a decentralized Proof of Stake (PoS) system with its Rebased Mainnet launch scheduled for May 5, 2025. This shift from the Stardust protocol to a Move-based protocol aims to enhance decentralization and network security.
Recent industry reports indicate that decentralized Proof of Stake networks are expanding significantly in 2025. This transition aligns with IOTA’s efforts to enhance scalability and reduce energy consumption, which are key trends in the broader adoption of PoS models across various blockchain networks.
According to industry experts, IOTA’s move to a delegated Proof of Stake consensus model marks a pivotal decentralization milestone. This supports the network’s goal to shift from a Coordinator-dependent architecture to a permissionless validator system, thereby enhancing both participation and security.
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