IOTA and TWIN Reduce Trade Costs by 20-50% with Blockchain

The IOTA Foundation and Trade Worldwide Information Network (TWIN) have been featured in the Global Blockchain Business Council’s (GBBC) 2025 Handbook on Real-World Blockchain Adoption. This recognition highlights their significant contributions to the digitalization of global trade infrastructure. TWIN, highlighted on pages 254 and 255 of the handbook, is revolutionizing global trade by addressing inefficiencies and modernizing cross-border transactions. The neutral, open-source infrastructure, built on the IOTA distributed ledger, facilitates secure and standards-compliant data sharing across both public and private sectors. The primary goal is to leverage real-world blockchain technology for trade digitalization, thereby shaping the future of interoperable and inclusive global trade systems.
TWIN addresses long-standing inefficiencies in global trade, where paper-based processes and isolated systems hinder progress. By ensuring the seamless and trusted exchange of data among stakeholders, including logistics providers and government agencies, TWIN integrates smoothly with existing systems and complies with global technical standards. This has resulted in a reduction of processing times and trade-related costs by 20-50%, demonstrating the tangible benefits of real-world blockchain for trade digitalization across different jurisdictions.
The collaboration between IOTA and TWIN is already operational through several major initiatives. The Trade Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP) in East Africa streamlines trade data authentication for Kenyan exporters. UK government trials under the Border 2025 Strategy illustrate how digitized trade flows enhance customs processes for products like frozen goods and coffee. The RESULD program reinforces traceability in fruit and vegetable supply chains, spanning from Kenya to the UK and the Netherlands. In each of these use cases, TWIN enables traceable and verifiable data flows, showcasing the strength of blockchain in logistics, trade efficiency, and regulatory trust.
TWIN is more than just a technical upgrade; it represents a global cooperative effort to modernize trade. Built on IOTA’s decentralized ledger, the infrastructure offers trusted data coordination with automation via REST APIs. Real-time port logistics under MISSION and digitized trade finance solutions are examples of how the system delivers real-world value. By ensuring access, integrity, and compliance, TWIN sets a new standard for real-world blockchain for trade digitalization. It aligns with the needs of customs agencies, trade finance providers, and international exporters, making it scalable, neutral, and transformative.
The TWIN framework is supported by leading institutions, including the IOTA Foundation, TradeMark Africa, World Economic Forum, and Tony Blair Institute. Currently, TWIN is in discussions with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Secretariat to expand its reach across the continent. This expansion would allow the infrastructure to serve more markets and reduce barriers across Africa. As real-world blockchain for trade digitalization scales, it is poised to benefit millions of exporters, border agencies, and financial entities, reducing the cost of trade while increasing trust.
Looking ahead, the roadmap for TWIN includes broader country adoption, new government partnerships, and deeper integration with trade finance platforms. Plans are underway to digitize documents such as certificates of origin and customs forms using IOTA’s ledger to ensure maximum integrity. As momentum grows, more economies will join this shift toward real-world blockchain for trade digitalization, unlocking efficient, transparent, and trusted trade systems worldwide.

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