- RealFi places live EV charging units on IOTA’s mainnet using NFTs and smart contracts.
- The model enables global, permissionless access to revenue-generating infrastructure.
- IOTA continues expanding beyond crypto into energy, trade, and governance use cases.
IOTA has taken a concrete step toward connecting blockchain with physical infrastructure. Together with energy company Bolt Earth, the network has launched RealFi on IOTA’s mainnet, placing real electric vehicle (EV) charging units on-chain for the first time. The move follows earlier testnet trials and turns operational charging hardware into tokenized, revenue-generating assets secured by smart contracts.
The launch signals a shift from theoretical “real-world asset” narratives to live infrastructure that produces measurable economic activity.
Turning EV Chargers Into On-Chain Assets
At the center of RealFi is a simple idea: each EV charging unit owned and operated by Bolt Earth becomes a verifiable on-chain asset. Ownership is represented through NFTs and on-chain shares, while income generated by charging activity is distributed automatically via smart contracts.
Investors can participate without relying on banks, brokers, or custodians. Transfers, ownership verification, and yield distribution all happen directly on the IOTA blockchain. The system is open to global participation, allowing cross-border access to infrastructure investments that were previously limited to institutional players.
For Bolt Earth, which operates solar-powered EV charging infrastructure across several countries, RealFi provides a transparent framework to document assets and automate returns without adding administrative layers.
A New Model for Infrastructure Investment
The collaboration introduces a permissionless approach to financing physical infrastructure. Instead of pooling capital through traditional vehicles, RealFi allows individuals to gain exposure to specific revenue-producing assets, with performance visible on-chain.
This model reduces friction while improving transparency. Asset data, ownership records, and payment flows are publicly verifiable, helping address trust issues that often limit participation in infrastructure projects—especially across borders.
The RealFi rollout also positions IOTA as more than a token transfer network. By supporting asset tracking, smart contracts, and automated settlement tied to real-world systems, the protocol is carving out a role as an operational layer for infrastructure.
IOTA’s Broader Push Into Energy, Trade, and Governance
RealFi lands amid growing momentum for IOTA beyond crypto-native use cases. Several African governments are reportedly preparing to adopt IOTA for national infrastructure initiatives following successful pilots, adding political and institutional weight to its technology.
Outside energy, IOTA is being tested in global trade through the EU-backed MISSION project, which connects major ports handling tens of millions of containers each year. The goal is to improve logistics transparency and traceability in maritime supply chains.
The network has also expanded its ecosystem through integrations with BitGo, Uphold, Stargate, and LayerZero, strengthening multichain access and institutional-grade custody. Academic interest is rising as well, with researchers exploring IOTA-based digital identity and smart contracts for legislative and governance frameworks.
Despite the string of real-world developments, IOTA’s token price has yet to reflect the broader narrative. At the time of writing, IOTA was trading near $0.095, slightly lower on the day.
Also Read: IOTA Jumps 35% as Chainlink Whales Drain Exchanges — Is a Bigger Move Coming?
That divergence highlights a familiar gap in crypto markets: infrastructure adoption often moves slower—and quieter—than speculation. RealFi’s success may ultimately be measured not by short-term price action, but by how effectively it scales physical assets on-chain.
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 CoinBrief.io. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. CoinBrief.io is not responsible for any financial losses.
