The IOTA network is buzzing with renewed energy, fueled by a ten-day price surge – its longest winning streak since March of last year. The IOTA (IOTA) token has climbed to around $0.24, marking an impressive 85% gain from its April lows and reaching its highest point in over two months. This bullish momentum is largely attributed to the growing anticipation surrounding the highly significant Rebased upgrade, scheduled to go live next week, on May 5th.

The question on everyone’s mind: will this comprehensive overhaul truly live up to the escalating expectations?
Rebased: A Transformative Upgrade with Staking and Smart Contracts
The upcoming Rebased hard fork represents a pivotal moment in IOTA’s evolution, introducing fundamental changes to its architecture and functionality. One of the most eagerly awaited features is the implementation of staking, enabled by a transition to a delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) consensus model. This will allow IOTA holders to earn passive rewards, with projected annual yields ranging between 10% and 15%. The strong commitment from over 150 validators, including prominent names like Ankr and Nansen, underscores the robust industry support for this new staking mechanism.
Beyond staking, Rebased unlocks a new realm of possibilities for developers through the integration of Move-based smart contracts. This crucial addition will enable the creation of a vibrant ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps) across various sectors, including gaming, NFTs, and decentralized finance (DeFi). By venturing into the smart contract space, IOTA aims to position itself as a strong contender alongside established platforms like Ethereum and Solana, potentially attracting a new influx of developers and users to its network.
Furthermore, the upgrade introduces a key economic shift: a portion of all transaction fees will be burned, transitioning IOTA to a deflationary token model – a significant departure from its previous inflationary design.
Also Read: IOTA Hits 2-Month High! 85% Surge Before May 5th Rebased Launch
Technical Momentum and Future Outlook
IOTA’s recent price action reflects the growing bullish sentiment surrounding the Rebased upgrade. The token has successfully broken out of a falling wedge pattern, a widely recognized bullish reversal signal in technical analysis. This breakout was further validated by surpassing the key resistance level at $0.2095 and moving above the 50-day moving average, reinforcing the positive market outlook.
Analysts are now closely watching the next major resistance level at $0.4235, the swing high from January 17th, which represents a substantial potential upside from current prices. However, it’s crucial to note that a drop below the established support level at $0.15 could invalidate this bullish scenario.
As the May 5th Rebased upgrade draws near, the IOTA community and the broader cryptocurrency market are keenly observing its implementation. The successful deployment of staking, smart contract capabilities, and the deflationary tokenomics holds the potential to fundamentally reshape the IOTA ecosystem and drive significant adoption.
🔔 Big news for $IOTA holders!
— ChainAffairs ⚡ (@ChainAffairs) April 27, 2025
Starting 5.5.2025, you can stake your IOTA, secure the network, and earn 10–15% APY! 📈
The future of IOTA is here — and it's just the beginning.
#IOTA #Staking #IOTARebased 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Wm6Mlgav8M
While the anticipation is high, the cryptocurrency market remains inherently volatile, and the actual impact of the upgrade will unfold in the days and weeks following its launch. Whether Rebased will fully deliver on the current hype and propel IOTA into a new era remains to be seen, but the stage is certainly set for a potentially transformative event.
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 your translator between the financial Old World and the new frontier of crypto. After a career demystifying economics and markets, I enjoy elucidating crypto – from investment risks to earth-shaking potential. Let’s explore!