IOTA brings LayerZero/Stargate into the mainnet, Schiener is targeting adoption in 2026
- IOTA integrates LayerZero and Stargate into the mainnet and expands the cross-chain connection to 150+ networks.
- Schiener looks back on a difficult 2025 and sees IOTA “in the best position” for the next steps at the start of 2026.
IOTA has integrated the Omnichain protocols LayerZero and Stargate into its mainnet, expanding cross-chain connectivity to more than 150 networks, including Ethereum, Solana, Base and BNB Smart Chain. According to a January 3 blog post from the IOTA Foundation, the move is significant because it will improve interoperability and data communication while enabling stablecoin and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization on the mainnet.
What the collaboration brings to IOTA
In dem Blogpost The IOTA Foundation describes LayerZero as a messaging protocol that forms the technical basis for Stargate. Stargate is classified as an “immutable, permissionless and censorship-resistant liquidity protocol” between networks and uses LayerZero as its backbone. Central to this is the Omnichain Fungible Token Standard (OFT), which enables transfers across multiple chains.
According to the blog post, the LayerZero protocol also brings connectivity to more than 150 networks and boasts an annual asset transfer volume of “over $120 billion.” According to the IOTA Foundation, this creates the prerequisites for embedding IOTA-based assets and data flows into other established ecosystems.
Dominik Schiener, Co-Founder and Chair of the IOTA Foundation, calls the integration a major milestone:
“LayerZero’s integration into the IOTA mainnet represents a transformative milestone for the IOTA ecosystem, laying a strong foundation that accelerates mainstream adoption and advances key industries. By enabling seamless digital asset flows and the tokenization of real-world assets, LayerZero positions IOTA as a critical backbone to facilitate global trade and revolutionize supply chain finance worldwide.”
The blog post explicitly mentions Europe, Africa and other emerging markets where IOTA wants to strengthen its infrastructure. LayerZero Labs CEO Brian Pellegrino also praises the collaboration:
“The goal is to provide the world with global permissionless markets – starting with connecting every blockchain. LayerZero unifies the IOTA mainnet with the rest of crypto, allowing engineers to focus on building seamless, secure multichain applications that shape the evolution of Web3 adoption.”
Technically, IOTA follows on from earlier integration steps. The blog post points out that LayerZero and Stargate already provided support for the IOTA EVM in September 2024. The new mainnet integration expands this framework: it is intended to enable asset transfers, messaging and cross-chain connectivity between Ethereum, Solana, IOTA EVM and “numerous additional networks”.
IOTA describes this as crucial to connecting decentralized digital economies with the real economy, particularly in the trading and supply chain industries.
Of central importance is the OFT standard: This maintains a “single, consistent token supply” across all connected networks. In addition, OFT assets should be transferable between LayerZero-supported networks via the Stargate WebApp.
With a view to activity on the mainnet, the IOTA Foundation announces that “several new assets” will become available on-chain following the integration. First, the blog post mentions CYB, the native utility token of the Cyberperp Perpetual Exchange, which operates on IOTA EVM and the IOTA L1 mainnet. At the same time, IOTA promises “seamless bridging” of several IOTA-specific assets and emphasizes that the partnership also supports the interoperability of “numerous large blue-chip assets”.
Particularly interesting is the statement that a “leading stablecoin” is currently undergoing a formal verification check and should “natively” join the IOTA mainnet ecosystem shortly. However, the IOTA Foundation has not yet revealed which stablecoin it is.
In the coming weeks, additional assets will become “interchangeable” via LayerZero as developers implement additional integrations.
Schiener looks ahead
At the start of 2026, Schiener supplemented the technical step with a look back at 2025. Via X writes he on January 4th:
“As I look back over the last twelve months, there is a lot to be really proud of. We have taken IOTA to new levels and transformed it by leaving our past behind us. We have brought many new partners on board and brought real adoption to the mainnet.”
Schiener also gave hope for better times with a view to the IOTA token and its price:
“There is no doubt that 2025 has been incredibly challenging, especially when you look at the markets over the last few months. While I can’t predict the price, all I know right now and what matters to me is that we made the right decisions, have the right team and the right strategy – and that we are in the best position we have ever been to deliver on our mission.”
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