IOTA (IOTA) is an open-source, decentralized cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology (DLT) that enables secure, feeless, and scalable transactions. It was founded in 2015 by David Sønstebø, Sergey Ivancheglo, Dominik Schiener, and Dr. Serguei Popov. IOTA is designed to support the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, allowing for seamless communication and data exchange between devices.

IOTA operates on a unique distributed ledger technology called the Tangle, which is different from traditional blockchain architecture. The Tangle is a directed acyclic graph (DAG) that allows for parallel transaction processing, making it highly scalable and efficient. IOTA uses a consensus mechanism called Proof of Work (PoW), but it's not used for mining; instead, it's used to validate transactions.

The Tangle is a decentralized, distributed ledger technology that enables IOTA to process transactions in parallel, making it highly scalable. Unlike traditional blockchain, which uses a linear, sequential structure, the Tangle is a web-like structure that allows for multiple transactions to be processed simultaneously. This design enables IOTA to achieve high transaction throughput and low latency.

IOTA offers users feeless transactions, high scalability, and secure data exchange. Its Tangle architecture enables fast and efficient transaction processing, making it an ideal choice for IoT applications, supply chain management, and other use cases that require high transaction volumes.

The IOTA Foundation is a non-profit organization that oversees the development and maintenance of the IOTA protocol. The foundation is responsible for ensuring the integrity and security of the IOTA network, as well as promoting the adoption of IOTA technology in various industries.

To store IOTA securely, use a reputable cryptocurrency wallet that supports IOTA, such as the official IOTA wallet or a hardware wallet like Ledger. It's essential to keep your private keys safe and secure to prevent unauthorized access to your IOTA funds.