- IOTA has based its “Blue Ocean” strategy on the tokenization of real-world assets, data, and identity for transactions.
- A graphic posted on social media contrasts DeFi/NFTs/gaming/memecoins with data, identity, payments, and trade finance as focus areas.
IOTA has presented a “Blue Ocean” strategy that frames its network as a venue for tokenizing and transacting real-world data, assets, and identity on-chain. The message on X was accompanied by a split graphic comparing “Red Ocean” crypto categories with a “Blue Ocean” set of use cases.
The graphic’s Red Ocean side lists crowded segments such as decentralized finance, NFTs, gaming, memecoins, AI tokens, generic real-world assets, and the long-running Layer 1 versus Layer 2 competition. It pairs these areas with labels that point to market friction, including fragmented ecosystems, no clear industry focus, and isolated use cases.
However, on the Blue Ocean side, IOTA places “Data” at the top, followed by “Identity,” “Payments,” and “Trade Finance” on a vertical track. A single vessel is shown advancing along the Blue Ocean path, reinforcing the idea of moving into less contested territory.
IOTA is creating a Blue Ocean: a new market where real-world data, assets, and identities are tokenized and transacted onchain. pic.twitter.com/PSK0CyOYte
— IOTA (@iota) January 23, 2026
The contrast positions the network’s Blue Ocean Strategy around tokenization that starts with information and identity, then moves toward transaction rails. In the post’s framing, tokenized data and tokenized identity become inputs for on-chain commerce. Tokenized assets are treated as items that can be transferred and settled with clear records.
IOTA’s Focus Areas: Data, Identity, Payments, and Trade Finance
IOTA’s framework focuses on tokenization as a method of representation of off-chain information and claims as on-chain objects that can be traded. In this strategy, information can be bundled to be verified and exchanged. Moreover, payments are positioned as a bridge between tokenized items and settlement. By placing payments in the same stack as identity and data, the visual points to transactions that may require context, authentication, and traceability.
Trade finance appears as the endpoint of the sequence, indicating a target for tokenized documentation and on-chain settlement coordination in commercial flows. IOTA describes the Blue Ocean as “a new market” where these elements are tokenized and transacted on-chain.
The announcement aligns the strategy with practical categories that are commonly associated with enterprise integrations, compliance processes, and cross-party coordination. Additionally, yesterday, co-founder Dominik Schiener said the project is working to bring the $35 trillion global trade economy on-chain using tokenized assets, digital identity, and data integrity.
The IOTA token trades at $0.0885, gaining 1% in the past day, although its volume dipped and remains low at just $12.4 million.