IOTA’s Reboot: Mainnet Overhaul Goes Live in May 2025—Will It Finally Deliver?

The long-awaited IOTA mainnet upgrade—dubbed ’Rebased’—hits in May 2025, promising faster transactions and a cleaner architecture. Skeptics whisper ’too little, too late’ as the project scrambles to regain relevance in a market that’s moved on to shinier toys. Will this be the turnaround or just another line in the graveyard of crypto rebrands?

The IOTA Foundation has announced its Rebased mainnet upgrade, scheduled to take place on May 5, 2025. This significant upgrade marks the migration from the current Stardust network to the new IOTA network, as detailed in a recent announcement by the IOTA Blog.

Seamless Transition for Token Holders

For IOTA token holders, the transition promises to be seamless, with no token migration necessary. Users will only need to load their existing wallets into the new system. The IOTA Foundation emphasizes the importance of securely exporting wallet private keys, mnemonic phrases, or stronghold files for uninterrupted access to assets post-upgrade.

New Tools and Wallets

The existing Firefly wallet will be replaced by a new browser extension wallet, available on launch day. Additionally, the IOTA Wallet Dashboard app will offer enhanced asset management capabilities. Ledger hardware wallets, except for the Ledger Nano S, will remain supported, provided users install the new IOTA Ledger app.

Exchange and Network Preparations

Exchanges supporting IOTA will pause deposits and withdrawals during the upgrade, though trading will continue. These services are expected to resume shortly after completion. The upgrade involves a coordinated effort by the IOTA Foundation and 12 validators, ensuring a transparent and verified migration process.

Genesis Ceremony and Network Launch

The upgrade will feature a Genesis Ceremony, where a sequence of steps will establish the new network’s foundation. This includes shutting down the Stardust mainnet, taking ledger snapshots, and creating a genesis checkpoint. Validators will verify and sign these artifacts to ensure consensus and transparency.

Post-Upgrade Environment

Post-upgrade, the IOTA EVM will resume operations, allowing seamless interaction via MetaMask and the new IOTA EVM Bridge Web App. The validator network will initially launch with 13 validators, with plans to expand to 150 over the coming months, encouraging token holders to delegate stakes for increased decentralization.

Infrastructure and Ecosystem Support

Infrastructure, including RPC endpoints and APIs, will be immediately available post-launch, with documentation provided for developers. Decentralized applications are expected to follow shortly. The IOTA Foundation is hosting discussions and updates via community and builder discords and X Spaces, inviting stakeholders to engage with these transformative changes.

• iota
• blockchain
• mainnet upgrade