IOST
IOST is a Singapore-based Layer-1 blockchain foundation operating IOST 3.0, a multi-chain infrastructure for real-world asset tokenization and Web3 payments serving institutional investors, developers, and asset issuers via Layer-1 and Layer-2 architecture, biometric decentralized identity, and DeFi integrations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSingapore, Singapore
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What IOST does
IOST is a Singapore-based blockchain foundation operating a Layer-1 protocol that has evolved from a general-purpose public chain into a multi-chain infrastructure for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and Web3 payments. The IOST 3.0 platform combines a Layer-1 mainnet with a Layer-2 scaling solution built on BNB Chain using Optimistic Rollups, and is governed by a Proof of Behavior (PoB) consensus mechanism enhanced with AI anomaly detection, multi-source randomness fusion, and dual-layer verification. The protocol has processed 1 billion+ transactions across 14 million+ accounts over 2,000+ days of operation and is listed on 50+ cryptocurrency exchanges.
The product portfolio centers on three pillars: (1) an RWA Platform with a Tokenization Engine, Compliance & Security Framework (KYC/KYB/AML, DID), Liquidity Engine, and cross-chain bridges across Ethereum, BSC, Solana, and IOST Layer-2; (2) a payment ecosystem comprising PayFi (Layer-2 with components Nexus, Accelerator, Guardian, and Yield) and PayPIN (chain abstraction layer with hardware-integrated payments); and (3) a decentralized identity stack including KUDO ID (palm-vein/palm-print biometrics at 99.9% accuracy), the IOST Signet Ring (heartbeat-based proof-of-personhood wearable with 1,000 units deployed), and the Proof of Heartbeat protocol. Supporting infrastructure includes L1/L2 scanners, cross-chain bridges, the iWalletPro browser extension, and developer tooling through docs.iost.io with JSON-RPC, REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket APIs.
Revenue mechanics are token-economy-centric: transaction fees, RWA tokenization fees (stated 0.1% target rate), cross-chain bridge fees, and a multi-layer token burn mechanism (MEV burning 30%, ecosystem burning 15%, DAO-initiated burning 0.5%) that creates deflationary pressure tied to adoption. StakeDrop distributes 1.49B IOST (35% of initial release) across 90–730 day staking tiers with multipliers from 1.5x to 4.5x, while an AirDrop allocates 1.71B IOST to existing holders. The protocol targets institutional investors and asset managers for RWA tokenization, developers building dApps via self-serve documentation, and asset issuers seeking compliant on-chain representation of bonds, real estate, and trade finance. Total disclosed funding is approximately $71M across rounds in 2018 ($40M), 2023 ($10M from BitValue Capital), and 2025 ($21M from DWF Labs, Presto, and Rollman Management).
IOST firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IOST
- Legal name
- IOST Foundation
- Website
- https://iost.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- IOST is a Singapore-based Layer-1 blockchain foundation operating IOST 3.0, a multi-chain infrastructure for real-world asset tokenization and Web3 payments serving institutional investors, developers, and asset issuers via Layer-1 and Layer-2 architecture, biometric decentralized identity, and DeFi integrations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where IOST is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Singapore
- HQ country
- Singapore
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
IOST business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Transaction Fees: IOST blockchain generates revenue through transaction fees paid by users executing transactions on the network. The platform implements dynamic fee structures optimized for network accessibility while maintaining value accrual to token holders.
- Staking Rewards Distribution: The protocol distributes staking rewards to validators and node operators who secure the network. A total of 60% of newly issued tokens (PayPIN Node Rewards) are allocated for this purpose, released over 60 months to incentivize network participation and security.
- RWA Tokenization Fees: IOST earns fees from real-world asset tokenization services, including bond separation, asset management, and market activity engines. Target RWA tokenization of over $0.5B by Phase 2 with average fee rate of 0.1% for RWA transactions.
- Cross-Chain Bridge Services: Revenue generated through cross-chain interoperability services connecting Ethereum, BSC, Solana, and IOST Layer-2 networks, including L1 and L2 bridges for seamless RWA transactions between chains.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | StakeDrop 90-Day Tier: 1.5x multiplier, minimum 10,000 IOST stake |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | StakeDrop 180-Day Tier: 2.0x multiplier |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | StakeDrop 365-Day Tier: 3.0x multiplier |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | StakeDrop 730-Day Tier: 4.5x multiplier |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
IOST product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IOST develops and operates IOST 3.0, a Layer 1 blockchain with Layer 2 scaling solutions designed for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and Web3 payment infrastructure. The platform provides a Tokenization Engine for bonds, real estate, and trade finance; a Compliance & Security Framework with KYC/KYB & AML and decentralized identity (DID); a Liquidity Engine with cross-chain interoperability (Ethereum, BSC, Solana, IOST L2); and payment solutions (PayPIN, PayFi) integrated with biometric identity (KUDO ID, Signet Ring). The protocol enables institutions, developers, and asset issuers to deploy compliant RWA tokenization models and Web3 dApps on a high-performance, EVM-compatible chain.
Product overview
IOST 3.0 is a unified platform-plus-modules architecture designed for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and Web3 payment infrastructure. The core platform consists of IOST 3.0 blockchain with Layer-1 and Layer-2 architecture, supported by the RWA Platform for tokenizing traditional assets. The ecosystem integrates multiple interconnected modules: PayPIN provides blockchain-powered payment infrastructure with hardware integration; PayFi delivers Layer-2 payment solutions with components including PayFi Nexus (payment data), PayFi Accelerator (RWA integration), PayFi Guardian (security), and PayFi Yield (yield optimization); Decentralized Identity (DID) system with KUDO ID (palm biometrics) and Signet Ring (wearable biometrics) for Proof of Heartbeat verification; and the Tokenization Engine and Liquidity Engine for RWA functionality. Supporting products include StakeDrop and AirDrop token distribution programs, L1/L2 Scan explorers, L1/L2 Bridge cross-chain infrastructure, and iWalletPro wallet extension.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PayPIN: Blockchain-powered payment ecosystem using integrated hardware with chain abstraction layer, unified payment protocol, cross-chain clearing network, and decentralized identity system.
- PayFi
- IOST Signet
- KUDO ID
Products and services
- IOST 3.0 Next-generation Layer 1 blockchain platform with Layer 2 scaling solutions designed for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and Web3 payment infrastructure. Features high throughput, cross-chain interoperability (Ethereum, BSC, Solana, IOST L2), and EVM compatibility for institutions, developers, and asset issuers.
- RWA Platform Comprehensive framework for tokenizing, managing, and creating liquidity for real-world assets including bonds, real estate, trade finance, and alternative investments. Includes Tokenization Engine, KYC/KYB & AML compliance, Liquidity Engine, Oracle system, and RWA Asset Bridge.
- IOST Layer 2 High-throughput, low-latency Layer-2 scaling solution with EVM compatibility for efficient smart contract execution. Uses optimistic rollups, supports sub-second DID operations, and offers 50-100x lower gas fees than Layer-1 for developers and institutions.
- PayFi Layer-2 payment solution built on BNB Chain that connects multiple blockchain ecosystems with Optimistic Rollup, decentralized sequencer network, and RWA module integration. Enables seamless cross-chain payments between Ethereum, BSC, Solana, and IOST Layer-2.
- PayPIN Blockchain-powered payment ecosystem with integrated hardware. Features chain abstraction layer (adapter pattern), unified payment protocol, cross-chain clearing network, and decentralized identity system using W3C DID standards for real-world payment scenarios.
- Decentralized Identity (DID) W3C-compliant decentralized identity system supporting Layer-2 scalability, hardware-integrated authentication, and Proof of Heartbeat biometric verification. Provides privacy-preserving identity for RWA, payments, and Layer-2 functionality.
- KUDO ID Palm-based decentralized identity protocol using dual-modal biometrics (palm vein and palm print). Delivers 99.9% accuracy with zero-knowledge proof privacy protection, GDPR & CCPA compliant, multi-chain interoperability with BNB Chain and IOST.
- IOST Signet Ring Biometric wearable device (ring) that verifies physical presence through heartbeat patterns (HRV analysis) using medical-grade optical PPG sensors and precision accelerometers. Provides on-chain decentralized identity, KYC alternatives, and proof-of-personhood with military-grade encryption.
- StakeDrop Multi-tier staking incentive program with dynamic reward multipliers based on staking duration. 1.4924 billion IOST allocated across two seasons, with multipliers ranging from 1.5x (90 days) to 4.5x (730 days). Minimum 10,000 IOST stake required.
- AirDrop Loyalty reward program for existing IOST holders with 1.7056 billion IOST total allocation. Features 48-month linear vesting and holding duration multiplier up to 1.5x for BEP-20 IOST airdrops.
- L1/L2 Bridge Cross-chain bridge infrastructure enabling token transfers and interoperability between BSC, Ethereum, Solana, and IOST networks for RWA transactions.
- iWalletPro Browser extension wallet for IOST network management, available on Chrome Web Store. Enables wallet management, token transfers, and interaction with IOST Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $2B in tokenized assets supported
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use IOST
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
IOST technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration21 records
AI capability28 records
Feature8 records
IOST partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- BNB ChaincorePayFi uses BNB Chain as its Layer-2 foundation, leveraging Optimistic Rollup technology inheriting BNB Chain's high performance and low fees. This integration significantly boosts transaction speed and throughput while EVM compatibility eases developer migration and accelerates PayPIN application deployment.
- SedastrategicPayFi Nexus, a core module in IOST 3.0, partners with Seda oracle to deliver high-quality, real-time payment data to the IOST chain, bridging traditional payments and DeFi with scalable, low-cost transmission of diverse payment data.
- StorkstrategicPayFi Nexus partners with Stork oracle for real-time payment data feeds to the IOST chain, supporting rapid, low-cost transmission of exchange rates, payment volumes, and other payment data to the main chain.
- Nexus DAOcoreNexus DAO manages open subchains with transparent voting ensuring community participation. Nodes undergo rigorous audits by Nexus DAO and are continuously evaluated by a reputation scoring system for high-quality participation, role-based access, multi-factor authentication, and robust data security.
- MercuryostrategicMercuryo integrated passkeys for fiat-to-crypto payment authentication across its 200-plus partner network, demonstrating interoperability and ecosystem adoption of decentralized identity standards.
- AavestrategicPayFi Yield integrates with Aave lending market for accessing yield opportunities across DeFi protocols, part of comprehensive protocol integration including Compound, JustLend, Uniswap, PancakeSwap, Curve, Yearn, Beefy Finance, Harvest, IOST Staking, Lido, and Rocket Pool.
- CompoundstrategicPayFi Yield integrates with Compound lending market as part of multi-protocol DeFi integration strategy for accessing diverse yield sources and liquidity provision opportunities.
- UniswapstrategicPayFi Yield integrates with Uniswap for liquidity provision and automated yield strategies, part of broader DeFi protocol integration across major decentralized exchanges.
- LidostrategicPayFi Yield integrates with Lido staking platform for accessing liquid staking yield opportunities, supporting cross-chain yield optimization strategies.
- Yearn FinancestrategicPayFi Yield integrates with Yearn Finance yield aggregator for automated position management and optimized yield generation across DeFi protocols.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IOST competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Centrifuge: Centrifuge is a specialized RWA tokenization protocol focused on receivables, invoices, and lending pools. It represents a more narrow, vertical-only competitor to IOST's broader RWA Platform and shares the same institutional asset-issuer customer base.
- Worldcoin: Worldcoin (Tools for Humanity) provides biometric proof-of-personhood via iris scanning, directly comparable to IOST's KUDO ID (palm biometrics) and Signet Ring (heartbeat) for decentralized identity. Both compete for the same Web3 KYC/identity user base.
Direct peers
- BNB Chain: BNB Chain hosts IOST's PayFi Layer-2 via Optimistic Rollup and serves a similar audience of retail traders, DeFi users, and RWA issuers. As both technology partner and direct competitor for low-fee transactions and RWA issuance, BNB Chain is one of the closest comparables to IOST.
- Cardano: Cardano is a Layer-1 blockchain with research-driven tokenomics, staking programs, and identity solutions that overlap with IOST's PoB consensus, StakeDrop staking tiers, and DID system.
- Hedera: Hedera is an enterprise-grade distributed ledger with a council-led governance model and focus on tokenization, identity, and payments. Its institutional orientation and governance structure closely mirror IOST's foundation-driven, compliance-first approach to RWA and payments.
- Algorand: Algorand targets institutional asset tokenization (bonds, real estate, CBDCs) with a Layer-1 architecture and focus on regulatory compliance — the same use cases IOST's RWA Platform and Compliance Framework are built for.
- Solana: Solana is a high-throughput L1 with aggressive push into payments, RWA, and DeFi. IOST's Layer-2 scaling, low-fee payments thesis, and 50+ exchange distribution closely parallel Solana's playbook, and Solana is also listed as an explicit interoperability partner of IOST.
- Avalanche: Avalanche's subnet architecture and strong RWA positioning (e.g., asset tokenization partnerships with financial institutions) make it a direct comparable to IOST's permissioned subchains and RWA infrastructure thesis.
- Polygon: Polygon offers a Layer-2/sidechain stack, identity solutions (Polygon ID), and enterprise RWA tooling — overlapping directly with IOST's Layer-2, DID, and RWA Platform offerings. Both target the same institutional tokenization and developer markets.
Broad incumbents
- Ethereum: Ethereum is the dominant smart-contract L1 and the primary hub for RWA tokenization initiatives (e.g., BlackRock BUIDL, Ondo). IOST competes for the same institutional RWA and DeFi workloads while also bridging to Ethereum, making it the most strategically comparable peer for assessing IOST's positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IOST social profiles
Digital presenceIOST compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
IOST financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IOST leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
IOST funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors16 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IOST M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IOST
What does IOST do?
IOST develops and operates IOST 3.0, a Layer 1 blockchain with Layer 2 scaling solutions designed for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and Web3 payment infrastructure. The platform provides a Tokenization Engine for bonds, real estate, and trade finance; a Compliance & Security Framework with KYC/KYB & AML and decentralized identity (DID); a Liquidity Engine with cross-chain interoperability (Ethereum, BSC, Solana, IOST L2); and payment solutions (PayPIN, PayFi) integrated with biometric identity (KUDO ID, Signet Ring). The protocol enables institutions, developers, and asset issuers to deploy compliant RWA tokenization models and Web3 dApps on a high-performance, EVM-compatible chain.
Is IOST a public or private company?
IOST is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IOST founded?
IOST was founded in 2018. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is IOST based?
IOST is headquartered in Singapore, Singapore, in the Asia region.
How does IOST make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Transaction Fees are the primary driver. The others are staking Rewards Distribution, RWA Tokenization Fees and cross-Chain Bridge Services.
Who are IOST's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Centrifuge and Worldcoin. Direct peers are BNB Chain, Cardano, Hedera, Algorand, Solana, Avalanche and Polygon. Ethereum is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does IOST have an API?
Yes. IOST 3.0 provides a comprehensive API ecosystem for developers. The documentation details JSON-RPC API, REST API, GraphQL API, and WebSocket interfaces for Layer 2 solutions. APIs cover wallet integration, gas fee management, smart contract deployment, and network connectivity. The platform supports EVM compatibility and provides developer guides for connecting to the L2 network, managing gas fees, and deploying smart contracts using Foundry, BlockScout, and ThirdWeb. Developer documentation is at docs.iost.io.