In This Article
IOTA is a cryptocurrency focused on supplying a currency for the machine economy (i.e., machines that pay each other for services). In the following guide, we’ll give you a brief overview of the IOTA technology and its currency, as well as explain how to buy IOTA online.
How to Buy IOTA: Summary
Here’s how to buy IOTA cryptocurrency:
- Get an IOTA wallet like Ledger or Trezor
- Locate your IOTA address
- Find an IOTA exchange (for example, Binance)
- Exchange Bitcoin for IOTA
- Withdraw your coins to your wallet
If Binance doesn’t work out for you, here are some additional buying options:
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk.
What is IOTA?
IOTA is a cryptocurrency that puts an emphasis on machine-to-machine payments. As such, it aims to be scalable, secure, and lightweight to allow any type of IoT (Internet of Things) device to use it.
In the past, IOTA transactions are fast and feeless, due to it’s previous DAG-based consensus model called, “The Tangle”. IOTA uses node-to-node verification only, unlike Bitcoin’s traditional blockchain, where miners invest energy to solve math problems and add new blocks of transactions.
Each node that wants to send a transaction is required to validate two unconfirmed transactions as payment. The more nodes on the system, the faster transaction verification will occur.
However, IOTA now runs on a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) system. That means you’ll pay a small transaction fee when you send IOTA, and part of that fee gets permanently burned. You can also stake your IOTA to earn rewards by delegating to a validator. These changes improve the network’s performance and security while giving you more ways to use your tokens.
How the Wallet System Works Now
The old Firefly wallet has been phased out. To manage your IOTA now, you’ll use the official browser extension wallet along with the IOTA Dashboard app. This setup is simple and lets you store, stake, and send IOTA directly from your browser.
If you’ve held IOTA before the Rebased upgrade, you’ll need your recovery phrase or a stronghold backup file from Firefly or Bloom to migrate your funds. The new wallet also works with Ledger hardware wallets, so you can keep using cold storage if you prefer that route.
What Happened to IOTA EVM?
IOTA is focusing on a dual-layer setup where the main network handles staking and transactions, and EVM runs separately on Layer 2. Multi-chain support is part of the roadmap, and more virtual machine options are on the way. This structure keeps things fast while making it easier for developers to build smart contracts using familiar tools.
Where You Can Use It
Some platforms have location-based restrictions. For example, Bitfinex doesn’t allow U.S. users, and UK users may have limited access to certain features. Always check your eligibility before signing up for an exchange to avoid issues with verification or withdrawals.
IOTA’s currency is measured in mega IOTAs (or MIOTA for short). Note that whenever you see IOTA’s price on an exchange or price ticker, it will usually refer to MIOTA, even if the “M” isn’t present.
The total number of IOTAs in existence is 2,779,530,283,277,761. All of them were created in the genesis block and sold to investors in the IOTA ICO.
2025 Rebased Mainnet Upgrade
IOTA undertook a significant redesign of its core network in May 2025, known as the “Rebased” Mainnet Upgrade, moving from the Stardust environment to a more scalable and effective infrastructure.
Why is It Important?
- Smooth Migration: Since current MIOTA holdings are automatically compatible, users don’t need to switch tokens.
- Support for New Wallets: The legacy Firefly wallet will eventually be phased out. IOTA now has an improved dashboard app and a wallet that runs on a browser extension. To access funds after an upgrade, make sure you have a backup of your recovery phrase or stronghold file.
- Compatibility of Exchanges: Leading exchanges ensured ongoing trading support by pausing IOTA withdrawals and deposits during the update, resuming them afterwards.
How It Affects You
- Export your current IOTA wallet’s private key or mnemonic.
- Install the new official IOTA dashboard and browser extension.
- Import your backup to regain complete access.
- Verify that the Rebased network is supported by your exchange wallet (these have already been upgraded).
How to Buy IOTA
Step 1: Get an IOTA Wallet
Today, there isn’t a wide selection of wallets that support IOTA, so many people are storing it on exchanges. Many newbies who don’t have a solid understanding of the technical details are opting to do this.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that storing IOTA on an exchange is a good idea. The best practice is to use a hardware or software wallet and not risk your IOTA getting lost or stolen.
Ledger (Hardware Wallet)
The Ledger Nano X and Ledger Nano S Plus are hardware devices that allow you to store IOTA safely and securely offline. The Nano X also supports the use of a mobile app to send and receive funds.
Both devices can also hold a wide range of additional cryptocurrencies, making them a good choice if you’re looking to store coins other than IOTA. Here’s our complete review of the Ledger Nano X.
IOTA GUI Client (Software Wallet)
The IOTA GUI client is a desktop wallet available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Setting up this wallet requires some work. When setting it up, choose “Light Node” and a host. Then, generate an 81-character seed that contains only uppercase letters and the number 9. Keep this seed in a safe spot.
Check out directions and comments from some users on Reddit who are discussing how hard this wallet is to set up.
IOTA Paper Wallet
The IOTA paper wallet is great for offline storage without the need to pay for a hardware wallet. This paper wallet requires creating a seed consisting of 81 characters with uppercase letters and the number 9 (just like the desktop wallet).
After generating the paper wallet, you can print it out and send IOTA to it. This paper wallet should be stored in a safe place for future use. Here’s a video explaining the process:
Step 2: Where to Buy IOTA?
Buy Crypto Through Best Wallet
Best Wallet is our top pick for users looking for the easiest way to buy crypto directly within a wallet. It is also a great option for people looking to buy and store IOTA. Best Wallet allows users to buy, sell, and swap crypto directly within the wallet using the built-in DEX-aggregator.
The reason we recommend Best Wallet for new users and those looking for the most friction-free way to buy cryptocurrencies is that by purchasing crypto from directly within a wallet, users lower their risk of exposing themselves to exchange hacks, third-party risks, and the possibility of sending to incorrect addresses when withdrawing from a traditional crypto exchange.
The Best Wallet DEX aggregator sources the best rates for users’ swaps, supporting 50+ chains, connecting to over 200 decentralized exchanges, and using up to 20 cross-chain bridges. Users can make both same-chain and cross-chain swaps.
Visit Best WalletBuy IOTA Through eToro
eToro is probably the easiest way to go if you’re only looking to invest in IOTA for speculation purposes. eToro is a trading platform with a focus on cryptocurrencies. It allows you to easily buy and sell IOTA for fiat (dollars, euros, etc.) with a variety of payment options.
If you decide to use eToro, you can skip steps 1 and 3. You won’t need an IOTA wallet since you can’t send your coins outside of eToro. You can read our complete eToro review.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more at https://etoro.tw/44JRWLY
Buy IOTA Through Binance
Binance allows you to purchase IOTA in exchange for Bitcoin. If you do require access to your coins, or don’t like the eToro solution for any other reason, this is probably the best possible choice: Binance.
Strictly a cryptocurrency exchange, Binance offers only an IOTA/BTC trading pair. This means that you’ll either need to buy Bitcoin on Binance or deposit Bitcoins from somewhere else to trade them for IOTA. Binance also allows users to buy certain cryptos (but not IOTA) with a credit card, making them a very attractive solution.
You can read our in-depth Binance review.
Buy IOTA Through Bitfinex
Bitfinex allows you to purchase IOTA with BTC, USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, and ETH. However, Bitfinex is no longer verifying US users, so these individuals will have to look for another option.
If you are eligible to use Bitfinex, this option will probably be the cheapest but also the slowest way to buy IOTA, as you’ll be required to finish a complete identity verification process as well as wait for your bank transfer to arrive at Bifinex.
You are more than welcome to read our Bitfinex review.
Step 3: Withdraw Your IOTA
Once you’ve bought your IOTA coins, it’s time to move them from the exchange into the wallet you’ve chosen in step 1. This will make sure that the coins are under your control only. Make sure to locate your IOTA address inside the chosen IOTA wallet in order to request a withdrawal from the exchange.
While theoretically, IOTA confirmations should take 2 milliseconds, in reality, they usually take a few minutes.
Conclusion: IOTA’s Future
With its grand vision, IOTA seeks to revolutionize the Internet of Things by bringing micro-transactions together with zero fees across all connected devices. Given its frictionless method of exchanging value, IOTA could very well have a bright future ahead of it.
Anyone who wants to take advantage of early adopter status still can, as this project is still in its infancy. The only real drawback to purchasing and storing IOTA is the lack of sufficient wallets to support the coin.
In addition, the web mobile wallets are in beta, making the IOTA paper wallet or the Ledger Nano wallets the best and easiest solution for long-term holders.
See also: Best Crypto to Buy Today for Long Term
FAQs
What is the difference between IOTA and MIOTA?
IOTA’s currency is measured in mega IOTAs, or MIOTA. Please note that whenever you see IOTA’s price on an exchange or price ticker, it will usually refer to MIOTA, even if the “M” isn’t present.
What is the 2025 Rebased Mainnet Upgrade?
IOTA was significantly redesigned in May 2025, moving from the Stardust environment to a more scalable and effective infrastructure.
Why you can trust 99Bitcoins
Established in 2013, 99Bitcoin’s team members have been crypto experts since Bitcoin’s Early days.
Weekly Research
100k+Monthly readers
Expert contributors
2000+Crypto Projects Reviewed
