Does the network support smart contracts or other advanced features like atomic swaps or decentralized applications (dApps)?
IOTA is a distributed ledger technology (DLT) that does not use blockchain technology.
Instead, it uses a directed acyclic graph (DAG) called the Tangle. The Tangle is a data structure that allows for transactions to be processed in parallel and enables the network to scale without any transaction fees. The IOTA network does not support smart contracts or other advanced features like atomic swaps or decentralized applications (dApps).
This is because the Tangle does not have the same features as a blockchain, such as scripting language support or smart contract functionality. However, IOTA does have some features that are similar to those found in blockchain-based networks. For example, IOTA has an integrated distributed ledger system called Masked Authenticated Messaging (MAM), which allows users to securely store and share data on the Tangle.
Additionally, IOTA also has an open-source protocol called Flash Channels, which enables users to make off-chain payments with near-instant settlement times and low transaction fees. Overall, while IOTA does not support smart contracts or other advanced features like atomic swaps or decentralized applications (dApps), it does have some features that are similar to those found in blockchain-based networks.