**Exciting Developments Ahead: IOTA’s Rebase Upgrade to Bring Smart Contracts, Staking, and a Fresh User Interface by March 2025!**
IOTA is gearing up for an exciting transformation with its upcoming Rebase upgrade, set to launch in March 2025. This upgrade will introduce smart contracts, staking, and a revamped user interface, all aimed at enhancing scalability and user experience. One of the standout features, the IOTA Gas Station, will eliminate the need for native tokens to pay for gas fees, making it easier for users to interact with decentralized applications (dApps) and improving accessibility for everyone.
Recently, IOTA hosted a lively Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Twitter Spaces, where the team, led by Dominik Schiener, shared important insights about the Rebase upgrade and its strategic roadmap. The discussion highlighted IOTA’s ongoing transformation, including details about staking rewards, the launch of a new virtual machine, and real-world applications that will benefit from these advancements.
At the heart of the AMA was the IOTA Rebase, a crucial upgrade designed to enhance the network’s scalability and overall user experience. Schiener pointed out that Rebase is a proactive response to the increasing demand for blockchain projects to establish solid fundamentals in a fluctuating market. This upgrade will not only introduce smart contracts and staking features but also refresh the network’s user interface to attract a wider audience.
The Rebase update is currently in the works, with Schiener confirming that the team is diligently finalizing security audits and preparing for integration with exchanges ahead of the official launch. While a specific date hasn’t been set, early projections indicate a March 2025 release. For those eager to stay updated, Schiener recommended checking out IOTA’s GitHub for the latest progress.
**Staking Rewards: Enjoy 10-15% APY with Liquid Flexibility!**
IOTA holders can look forward to the benefits of staking, as the new Rebase system will offer an annual percentage yield (APY) ranging from 10% to 15%. Thoralf, another key participant in the AMA, explained that staking will be open to everyone, requiring just 1 IOTA to get started. However, validators will need to stake tokens from day one to ensure network security, a strategy expected to draw in new applications and institutional interest.
One of the most innovative aspects of the staking model is the introduction of Liquid Staking Tokens (LST). This feature allows users to stake their assets without locking them up, providing the flexibility to engage in decentralized finance (DeFi) activities while still earning staking rewards.
In a significant shift, Rebase will replace the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with the Move Virtual Machine (VM), aligning IOTA with cutting-edge blockchain platforms like Sui and Aptos. Thoralf noted that Move’s Rust-like syntax is a fantastic tool for developers, making it easier for newcomers to build on IOTA. This transition to Move will help IOTA carve out a unique space in the competitive blockchain landscape, enabling the network to support innovative applications rather than merely replicating existing protocols.
According to a report from ETHNews, alongside Move, IOTA will roll out new features such as the IOTA Name Service, local fee markets, and shared objects, all aimed at enhancing the user experience. Exciting times are ahead for IOTA!
