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- IOTA’s Digital Highway initiative seeks to substitute paper-based trade documents with verifiable digital records to simplify clearance processes.
- The platform would enable the tokenizing of goods such as minerals and commodities using verified on-chain data.
IOTA has presented a new system to digitalize the global trade processes. Dubbed the “Digital Highway,” it was presented by co-founder Dominik Schiener during a forum in South Korea. The system substitutes paper records with digital information, which can be shared safely across nations.
International trade relies on the paperwork that customs, ports, and banks use to verify the transactions. This process slows the movement of goods and increases administrative work. The Digital Highway would instantly verify data, reducing delays.
The platform connects existing national trade systems by acting as a layer that confirms the accuracy of shared data. The origin and content of documents can be verified without relying on intermediaries. This setup supports direct trust between trading partners.
At the @wkforum in Korea, @DomSchiener explains how IOTA is replacing archaic paper systems with a "Digital Highway" for global trade.
➡️ From Kenya to the UK, IOTA is proving that blockchain can be an infrastructure to bring the world onchain.
Full interview:…
— IOTA (@iota) March 17, 2026
Previously, CNF reported that IOTA prioritized government and institutional adoption in its 2026 strategy. Its TWIN system in Kenya and the United Kingdom provides digital trade documentation and expedited trade financing.
IOTA Expands Across Africa and Europe
Schiener also pointed to a partnership with the Tony Blair Institute and the African Continental Free Trade Area to connect trade platforms in 55 African nations. The objective is to support faster and more efficient cross-border transactions.
In the United Kingdom, IOTA tested the system with port operations. A pilot between Poland and the UK covered about 4,000 shipments, resulting in customs processing time dropping from days to hours.
Additionally, the system supports digital representation of physical goods. Commodities and manufactured items can be recorded as digital assets used to access financing. Eventually, this approach helps businesses secure funds without the long approval processes.
Last month, we covered how IOTA launched an expert advisory board to support the real-world deployment of its trade infrastructure. The board includes industry figures such as Mark Johnson and Anna Jerzewska, bringing experience in customs, logistics, and regulatory systems.
In Rwanda, IOTA applied this method to mineral exports with mining firms using digital records of stored materials to obtain financing. The method reduced reliance on high-interest borrowing and improved cash flow.
Schiener compared the infrastructure to Amazon Web Services. IOTA offers a platform on which data and transactions are processed, and trade and finance are applications built upon the system.
This week, we also covered that Siemens introduced the SIRIUS 3RW5-Z R11 refurbished soft starter with IOTA digital traceability. The product operates on QR tracking and lifecycle data and saves up to 50% in CO₂ compared to new units.
