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The IOTA Foundation has teamed up with five major institutions — TradeMark Africa, the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, and the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade — to launch the TWIN Foundation. The initiative, unveiled on May 8 at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in Lusaka, Zambia, aims to overhaul global trade by building a decentralized, open-access infrastructure.
Breaking Free from Legacy Trade Systems
For decades, global trade has been bogged down by inefficiencies — paper-based documentation, fragmented databases, and inconsistent customs processes. These outdated systems often led to weeks-long delays, higher costs, and unreliable data. TWIN intends to dismantle these barriers by introducing an independent, transparent, and secure network that streamlines global commerce.
Frank Matsaert, Global Lead of Trade and Infrastructure at the Tony Blair Institute, stressed the importance of neutrality: “It’s Open Access. It’s not owned by anyone, no commercial interest, it’s independent, transparent, secure.” Similarly, Tim Stekkinger of the WEF noted that past commercial attempts failed because they lacked impartiality — a gap TWIN seeks to fill.
TWIN’s Decentralized Trade Infrastructure
At its core, TWIN leverages digital identities and tamper-proof document trails to ensure accountability across supply chains. The protocol bridges data standards such as GS1 and EPCIS 2.0, enabling seamless information flow between different trade systems. This approach allows instant verification of certifications, customs documents, and operational histories — reducing bottlenecks and human error.
Governance is also decentralized. A council comprising the IOTA Foundation, trade organizations, and government bodies oversees amendments and updates, ensuring the system remains adaptable and globally aligned. Already, TWIN has 54 decentralized validators, with the network expanding rapidly.
IOTA Network Growth and Performance
The launch of TWIN comes as the IOTA network itself demonstrates strong performance. Since its Mainnet upgrade 100 days ago, IOTA has processed 170 million transactions, deployed 300 smart contract packages, and reached peak speeds of 4,734 TPS. With the introduction of the Rebased Protocol in May, throughput has surged to over 50,000 TPS, underscoring its scalability for global trade use cases.
A New Era for Global Trade
By combining decentralized infrastructure with global institutional backing, the TWIN Foundation represents a bold attempt to modernize how goods and data move across borders. If successful, it could eliminate costly inefficiencies, boost transparency, and reshape international commerce for the digital age.
Also Read: IOTA Wallets Triple in 3 Months as E-Sports Fan Tokens Fuel Record Growth
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses
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