The IOTA Rebased Mainnet Upgrade

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The long-awaited IOTA Rebased mainnet upgrade is set to launch on May 5, 2025, at 9:00 AM CEST, marking a pivotal milestone in the evolution of the IOTA network. This upgrade transitions the ecosystem from the Stardust network to a fully rebased, more secure, and scalable IOTA mainnet. Designed with decentralization, transparency, and user accessibility in mind, the Rebased upgrade ushers in a new era for token holders, validators, developers, and ecosystem participants.

This comprehensive guide walks you through every critical aspect of the upgrade—what it entails, how to prepare your assets, what to expect during the genesis ceremony, and how to navigate the new network environment.

What Is the IOTA Rebased Upgrade?

The IOTA Rebased upgrade is a foundational network reset that enhances security, improves consensus mechanisms, and strengthens decentralization. Unlike traditional blockchain forks, this is a coordinated transition involving a verified snapshot of the current ledger state and a transparent, multi-validator genesis process.

Key features of the Rebased network:

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Preparing Your Assets for the Upgrade

One of the most user-friendly aspects of the Rebased upgrade is that IOTA token holders do not need to migrate their tokens. Your holdings will automatically carry over to the new network—provided you can access them through proper credentials.

Required Access Credentials

To regain access to your assets post-upgrade, ensure you have one of the following securely backed up:

⚠️ Important: The legacy Firefly desktop wallet will no longer be supported after the upgrade. Users must transition to the new official IOTA wallet.

The New IOTA Wallet: A Browser Extension

The new official IOTA wallet is a browser extension available on launch day via Chrome Web Store. It offers a modern, secure interface for managing tokens, NFTs, staking, and interacting with dApps.

Additionally, the IOTA Wallet Dashboard—a complementary web app launching just before the upgrade—provides advanced insights into your portfolio, including vesting schedules from previous token conversions (e.g., Assembly-to-IOTA).

Hardware wallet users will be pleased to know that Ledger devices remain fully supported, though users must install the new IOTA Ledger app compatible with the Rebased mainnet. Note: Manual installation may be required for Ledger Nano S due to its deprecation in Ledger Live.

Exchange Support During the Upgrade

Most major exchanges supporting IOTA trading will be compatible with the Rebased network. However, users should anticipate temporary service disruptions:

Always check with your exchange for specific timelines and update notifications.

The Genesis Ceremony: Step-by-Step Breakdown

The Rebased launch is anchored by a meticulously planned Genesis Ceremony, led by the IOTA Foundation and 12 trusted validator organizations, including:

These entities ensure transparency, consensus, and security throughout the network initialization.

Phase 1: Network Shutdown & Snapshot

At 9:00 AM CEST on May 5, 2025:

Phase 2: Building Genesis Data

Using verified snapshots:

Phase 3: Validator Verification & Signing

Each validator:

This step ensures full consensus before finalization.

Phase 4: Finalizing the Genesis Blob

Once all validators sign:

Phase 5: Network Launch

Final steps include:

For technical deep dives, refer to the Genesis Ceremony Playbook.

How to Use the New IOTA Wallet

Getting started with the new wallet is straightforward. Official guides cover essential tasks:

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Alternative Wallet Options

In addition to the official extension:

Blockchain Explorers for Network Transparency

Monitor real-time activity via two robust explorers:

Both provide visibility into transactions, validator performance, smart contracts, and network health metrics.

IOTA EVM After the Upgrade

The IOTA EVM resumes operations on launch day, allowing uninterrupted DeFi and dApp usage. MetaMask remains fully compatible.

A new IOTA EVM Bridge Web App (formerly EVM Toolkit) will soon enable seamless asset transfers between Layer 1 and EVM. Plan ahead—expect several hours of potential downtime during the transition.

Growing the Validator Network

The network launches with 13 validators. Expansion will occur in phases:

Token holders are encouraged to delegate stakes to promote decentralization. Instructions available in the staking guide.

Infrastructure & Ecosystem Readiness

Post-launch availability includes:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need to migrate my IOTA tokens?
A: No. Your tokens will automatically appear in the new network if you access them using valid credentials (mnemonic, private key, or stronghold file).

Q: Can I still use my Ledger device?
A: Yes. However, you must install the new IOTA Ledger app compatible with the Rebased mainnet.

Q: Will trading be affected on exchanges?
A: Trading continues, but deposits and withdrawals will be paused temporarily during the upgrade.

Q: What happens to Firefly wallet data?
A: The old Firefly desktop app will be discontinued. Migrate your data using backup files before May 5.

Q: How can I participate in staking?
A: Use the new IOTA wallet to delegate your tokens to active validators and earn rewards.

Q: Where can I verify the network launch was successful?
A: Check real-time data on explorer.iota.org or iotascan.com.

Final Thoughts

The IOTA Rebased mainnet upgrade represents a major leap forward in scalability, security, and community-driven governance. With no token migration needed, seamless wallet access, and a transparent genesis process, users are well-positioned to embrace this next chapter.

Stay informed through official channels like IOTA’s X account and community Discord servers. As the ecosystem grows, so do opportunities for innovation, participation, and value creation.

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