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IOTA co-founder and CEO Dominik Schiener pushed back this week against claims that crypto is dead, arguing that IOTA was never built around speculative cycles to begin with. His remarks arrived alongside confirmation from the IOTA Foundation that integrating Tether’s USDT is the network’s primary technical focus for Q1 2026 — a decision the team frames as the missing piece before tokenized trade and real-world asset workflows can operate at production scale.
Schiener: IOTA Is Infrastructure, Not Speculation
Responding directly to an X post declaring crypto’s death, Schiener argued that the downturn is a necessary transition, not a terminal event. His case rests on what IOTA has been building for ten years: a technology stack designed around real-world problems, not crypto-native demand.
According to Schiener, IOTA has embedded itself vertically into cross-border trade — a sector he pegs at $30 trillion globally. The network now covers data transfer, digital identity, payments, tokenization, and finance, with the stated goal of bringing entire countries on-chain through that infrastructure. He was direct about the strategy: understand what users actually need, build for those needs, and avoid chasing the same speculative playbook as every other project.
Schiener acknowledged the market pain affecting traders and investors but said the current environment is where the separation between infrastructure and speculation becomes clear. His position is that IOTA is better placed than most to come through it.
Why USDT — and Why Now
The IOTA Foundation’s decision to focus on USDT integration was explained by community contributor Salima on X, whose remarks were confirmed by the Foundation’s own communications. The logic is structural: IOTA’s existing stack — including SALUS for data exchange and invoicing, and TWIN for decentralized identifiers and trade data — already functions technically. What it lacks is a universally accepted settlement layer.
Without that, on-chain financial activity stalls regardless of how advanced the underlying infrastructure is. USDT was selected because it already functions as a settlement instrument in cross-border trade, particularly in emerging markets — which is precisely the territory IOTA is targeting. The choice was driven by where global liquidity actually exists, not by branding preferences.
The integration is not simple. Tether requires thorough audits and extended validation on non-EVM networks, and IOTA qualifies as one. Salima confirmed that contracts have been signed and initial payment made, with the remaining steps covering audits, validation, and phased deployment.
Not everyone agrees with the call. Some community members pointed to USDC’s closer alignment with MiCA regulatory frameworks and its acceptance among European banks. Supporters of the USDT decision countered that global trade — especially outside tightly regulated Western markets — runs on USDT. Salima also addressed questions about MIOTA’s role directly: USDT handles settlement, while MIOTA powers the data, interoperability, and coordination infrastructure beneath it. The two are complementary.
Market Expansion: South Korea and a U.S. Exchange Listing
IOTA is not waiting for the integration to complete before moving on distribution. Salima noted renewed activity in South Korea, linked to Bithumb Global and participation in regional industry events. A regulated U.S. exchange listing is also planned for late February or early March 2026, with Coinbase and Robinhood specifically excluded from the announcement.
IOTA’s current positioning is deliberate: build the settlement layer that makes the enterprise stack usable, expand into markets where USDT already dominates trade finance, and use the crypto downturn as cover to keep building while others pull back. Whether the USDT integration lands on schedule and whether the U.S. listing generates the expected exposure will determine how much of Schiener’s $30 trillion thesis converts into network activity this year.
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.
I’m a crypto enthusiast with a background in finance. I’m fascinated by the potential of crypto to disrupt traditional financial systems. I’m always on the lookout for new and innovative projects in the space. I believe that crypto has the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system.
