RealFi has been deployed on the mainnet by IOTA and Bolt Earth and allows global on-chain investment in real EV charging infrastructure.
The system utilizes NFTs as a representation of ownership and uses smart contracts to execute returns, and eliminates the use of banks or brokers.

IOTA and Bolt Earth have launched RealFi on IOTA’s mainnet, moving real electric vehicle charging infrastructure on-chain for the first time. The launch follows earlier tests on the testnet and brings physical EV chargers into a tokenized model supported by smart contracts. Ownership is represented on-chain, returns are automated, and access is open globally without brokers or intermediaries.

Bolt Earth is a company that owns EV-charging solar and controls infrastructure in a number of countries. As RealFi is now available on mainnet, every charge unit is a physical asset that can be invested in, documented, and confirmed on the IOTA blockchain. Possession is processed using NFTs and on-chain shares, and the distribution of yield is carried out automatically by smart contracts.

IOTA and @bolt_earth launch RealFi on mainnet today. @bolt_earth operates EV charging infrastructure, deploying and managing charging stations for electric vehicles. Today, that physical model moves on-chain: what started as a testnet experiment is now running in mainnet…

— Salima (@Salimasbegum) January 16, 2026

The collaboration enables a new way for users to participate in infrastructure investment outside traditional finance systems. It allows access to physical revenue-generating assets in a permissionless and decentralized way. The launch also positions IOTA as a technology platform that goes beyond token movement, offering operational tools for physical infrastructure projects.

IOTA Expands Into Energy, Trade, and Governance 

As CNF reported, three African governments are preparing to use IOTA in national infrastructure projects after successful pilots this year. The RealFi rollout adds a working use case to that momentum, connecting decentralized finance tools to actual energy systems. IOTA and Bolt Earth aim to scale the model to support a growing network of electric vehicle charging points.

With RealFi sers do not need banks, brokers, or middlemen. On-chain transfer, tracking, and verification of ownership are possible. Subsequently, the transparency of the NFTs and smart contracts is present, and the model is intended to be cross-border.

Beyond energy, IOTA’s technology is also expanding into global trade. As CNF outlined, IOTA was included in the EU-funded MISSION project connecting ports that move over 45 million containers annually. Its tools are being tested in real operations to improve logistics and traceability in maritime supply chains.

At the same time, IOTA continues to integrate with major infrastructure services. As CNF detailed, the network has expanded access through new integrations with BitGo, Uphold, Stargate, and LayerZero. These relations sustain multichain access and institutional-grade custody, facilitating the IOTA scaling to new financial and enterprise environments.

The academic sector is also developing an increasing interest in IOTA. According to CNF, a fresh thesis by the University of Bologna suggested adopting the IOTA digital identity and smart contract system to create a blockchain-based legal code-making model. The study recommends that blockchain solutions would enhance the transparency and effectiveness of legislation.

However, the IOTA price has not been consistent in the price trend despite the bullish announcements. At press time, the IOTA price was trading at $0.09537, a 1% decline in the past day.

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Filed under: Bitcoin - @ January 18, 2026 9:31 am