Africa has launched ADAPT, a groundbreaking IOTA-based digital trade platform designed to transform the continent’s economic landscape. This innovative system aims to digitize three core areas: trade, payments, and identity—using blockchain and stablecoin technology as its backbone.
With trade barriers and financial exclusion still major challenges across the continent, ADAPT offers a new pathway. The platform makes cross-border trade faster, more transparent, and less costly, while promoting financial access for both individuals and small businesses.
IOTA Technology Meets Stablecoin Payments
At the heart of ADAPT is the IOTA blockchain, known for its scalable and feeless architecture. Unlike traditional blockchains, IOTA is built for the Internet of Things and can handle a large volume of micro-transactions without network congestion.
To enable seamless payments, the platform integrates stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies like the US Dollar. This ensures price stability while allowing users to transact digitally, avoiding the volatility seen in traditional crypto assets. Stablecoins also reduce dependency on unstable local currencies, which is a key advantage in regions facing inflation or economic instability.
BIG: Africa is rolling out ADAPT, a new Iota-based digital trade platform to digitize trade, identities, and payments using stablecoins. pic.twitter.com/Wxc537080i
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) November 18, 2025
Digital Identity Unlocks New Opportunities
Another key feature of ADAPT is its digital identity framework. Millions of people across Africa are currently unbanked or lack formal IDs, which limits their ability to engage in trade or access financial services.
ADAPT addresses this by allowing users to create secure digital identities on the blockchain. This opens up new opportunities for small-scale traders, entrepreneurs, and consumers to verify their identity, access credit, and participate in both local and international trade—all through a smartphone.