IOST Kicks Off 2026 with a Community New Year Gathering in Tokyo

Bringing together the Japanese crypto community with OKJ and SEI to share vision, strengthen connections, and set the stage for growth in 2026

On January 28, 2026, IOST hosted a New Year gathering in Tokyo for its Japanese community, co-hosted with the Japanese crypto exchange OKJ and Layer 1 blockchain project SEI. Community members, media representatives, industry professionals, and ecosystem partners came together to reflect on the year ahead, share goals for 2026, and enjoy an interactive quiz session — creating a lively and engaging atmosphere throughout the event.

CEO Blake Took the Stage

IOST CEO Blake opened the event by thanking everyone for attending and reflecting on the progress made in 2025. He highlighted IOST’s rebranding last year and expressed appreciation for the strong support received from participants across the ecosystem.

Blake then outlined three key priorities for 2026:

1. Continued feature expansion for the DID Ring Signet, released last year
2. The launch of new RWA-focused products
3. Community expansion into new regions

These initiatives were presented as IOST’s core strategic focus for the year ahead.

Insights from OKJ and SEI

OKJ shared its perspective as a crypto exchange, discussing the impact of cryptocurrencies transitioning under Japan’s Financial Instruments and Exchange Act this year, and how regulatory developments are shaping the local market.

SEI reflected on 2025 as a year of strong growth and addressed questions from the community, explaining its key strengths and how it differentiates itself from other Layer 1 projects.

Quiz Session and Networking

During the quiz session, participants answered questions related to projects sponsored by IOST and SEI using their smartphones. Winners were rewarded with project tokens, adding excitement and friendly competition to the event.

Attendees also enjoyed drawing Omikuji, a traditional Japanese New Year fortune, where participants randomly selected a fortune slip predicting their luck for the year — ranging from great fortune to less favorable outcomes — adding a uniquely cultural touch to the gathering.

The networking session that followed allowed project teams and community members to connect over food and drinks. Beyond casual conversations, the event also served as a valuable business networking opportunity, with participants discussing new challenges for 2026 and exploring potential partnerships for future initiatives.

Event Souvenirs and Closing

As a souvenir, each attendee received a traditional Japanese dorayaki featuring a friendship character representing IOST and OKJ, along with drip coffee printed with the same character — a thoughtful and memorable takeaway.

This New Year gathering marked a strong kickoff for IOST in 2026, reinforcing ties within the Japanese community and setting the tone for continued growth and collaboration throughout the year.

About IOST

IOST is a multi-chain ecosystem focused on RWA infrastructure. With a commitment to innovation, security, and community engagement, IOST continues to develop solutions that bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized technologies.

For more information about IOST and its initiatives, visit iost.io or join our community channels!

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IOST Kicks Off 2026 with a Community New Year Gathering in Tokyo was originally published in IOST on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.