What Is Immutable X (IMX)? The Token for NFT Scaling on Ethereum

Non‑fungible tokens (NFTs) brought digital ownership to mainstream audiences, but high gas fees and slow confirmation times on Ethereum hindered real‑time gaming and large‑scale collectible drops. Immutable X (IMX) emerged to tackle this problem by scaling NFT transactions on Ethereum with zero‑knowledge technology, enabling fast, low‑cost minting and trading while inheriting Ethereum’s security.

This guide explains how Immutable X works, the role of the IMX token, why Immutable is now moving to zkEVM, and how to custody IMX safely.

Immutable X in a Nutshell

Immutable X started as an NFT‑focused Layer 2 (L2) built on StarkWare’s StarkEx, a proven zero‑knowledge system that batches transactions off‑chain and posts succinct proofs to Ethereum. This design delivers:

• Near‑instant confirmation and high throughput
• Gas‑free user experiences for minting and trading
• Ethereum‑level security via validity proofs

Immutable targeted gaming and collectibles from day one, pioneering shared liquidity across marketplaces and developer‑friendly tooling. Learn more about L2 rollups on Ethereum’s official docs for context on why this approach scales without compromising security. See Ethereum’s overview of rollups for background on how zk‑proofs compress computation and settle on mainnet at the end of a batch. Reference: Ethereum.org — Layer 2 rollups.

For StarkWare’s tech foundations, see StarkWare — StarkEx.

Immutable’s official site provides product and ecosystem information: Immutable.com.

From Immutable X to Immutable zkEVM

While StarkEx delivered outstanding performance, building entirely custom infrastructure meant developers couldn’t simply deploy existing EVM smart contracts or use familiar tooling. To close that gap, Immutable partnered with Polygon to launch Immutable zkEVM—an EVM‑compatible chain powered by zero‑knowledge proofs—so studios can port Solidity code, reuse dev tools, and tap into broader liquidity. Coverage: CoinDesk — Immutable partners with Polygon to launch Immutable zkEVM.

In practice, this transition brings:

• EVM compatibility: deploy standard contracts, use familiar frameworks
• ZK security at L2 with faster finality than optimistic rollups
• Purpose‑built tooling for games (marketplace, Passport, SDKs)

Immutable continues to support core NFT scaling while offering a more open, composable developer experience through zkEVM.

What Is IMX?

IMX is the native utility token of the Immutable ecosystem. Its design aligns incentives among users, creators, and developers:

• Protocol fees and burns: A portion of marketplace activity is tied to IMX, with mechanisms that can burn or otherwise reduce circulating supply over time to align token value with ecosystem usage. See token utility and economic model in the official docs: Immutable Docs.
• Staking and rewards: IMX may be used for staking or rewards to encourage participation and secure network operations or ecosystem programs when available.
• Governance: IMX can provide voting power over protocol decisions, future upgrades, and ecosystem grants.

For a high‑level overview of risk and architecture with Immutable X as an L2, refer to L2Beat — Immutable X, which tracks security assumptions, data availability, and upgradeability for major scaling systems.

Note: The precise staking programs or fee‑burn parameters can evolve. Always check latest details from Immutable’s official documentation and blog: Immutable Blog.

Key Features for NFT and Game Developers

• Gas‑relieved UX: Users can mint and trade NFTs with minimal friction while developers can abstract gas or sponsor activity.
• Shared liquidity: Marketplaces built on Immutable share order books to increase fill rates and price discovery across platforms.
• Passport and onboarding: Immutable Passport streamlines wallet creation and sign‑in for mainstream players while preserving self‑custody options. See Immutable Passport.
• EVM tooling via zkEVM: Existing Solidity contracts and EVM infra can be migrated with fewer changes, making multi‑chain game design more feasible.

Immutable’s ecosystem includes notable games such as Gods Unchained and Guild of Guardians, reflecting a focus on real player economies and in‑game assets.

Architecture and Security Considerations

• Validity proofs: Immutable systems rely on zero‑knowledge validity proofs for state transitions, meaning fraudulent transactions cannot be included in finalized batches because they fail verification on Ethereum.
• Data availability: Early Immutable X deployments used StarkEx with off‑chain data availability (Validium) for performance. zkEVM uses rollup‑style data availability and EVM‑level composability. Each mode carries trade‑offs that are documented by sources such as L2Beat — Immutable X and the broader Ethereum.org rollup guide.
• Upgradability and governance: Like many L2s, upgrade keys can affect system parameters. Understanding operator and sequencer permissions is essential for risk management.

For a conceptual primer on rollups and validity proofs, see Vitalik’s overview of rollup design space: Vitalik — An Incomplete Guide to Rollups.

2025: What’s New and Why It Matters

As of early 2025, Immutable’s zkEVM continues to onboard studios aiming for mainstream‑ready Web3 titles, prioritizing frictionless UX, fiat on‑ramps, and scalable marketplaces. Developer interest aligns with the broader industry push toward EVM‑compatible zk systems for faster settlement and better capital efficiency. For up‑to‑date announcements, check the Immutable Blog and ecosystem pages on Immutable.com.

How to Hold and Use IMX Safely

• Custody: IMX is an ERC‑20 on Ethereum, with usage across Immutable’s L2s. Secure long‑term storage and signing for bridges or marketplace interactions are critical.
• Bridging: When moving assets between Ethereum and an Immutable L2, use official infrastructure and confirm contract addresses. Immutable maintains a dedicated bridge portal: Immutable Bridge.
• Marketplace activity: Always verify marketplace URLs and contract addresses. Prefer reputable platforms surfaced by Immutable’s official site: Immutable.com.

Why a Hardware Wallet Helps IMX Holders

For users participating in NFT trading, staking, or governance, secure key management is essential. A hardware wallet can reduce the risk of malware and phishing during approvals, listings, and bridging. OneKey supports Ethereum and EVM networks, provides clear transaction prompts for safer signing, and integrates with popular desktop and mobile flows. If you plan to actively trade NFTs or bridge IMX to Immutable L2s, using a hardware wallet like OneKey helps keep private keys offline while enabling seamless Web3 interactions.

Risks to Consider

• L2 smart‑contract risk: Sequencer, bridge, and upgrade keys can introduce operational risk. Review L2Beat — Immutable X for current status and assumptions.
• Market volatility: IMX price and NFT valuations are volatile; size positions appropriately.
• Counterparty risk: Third‑party marketplaces and custodians add additional layers of trust.
• Regulatory uncertainty: Token utility and marketplace operations can be affected by evolving regulations across jurisdictions.

Bottom Line

Immutable X and its evolution to Immutable zkEVM bring NFT‑native scaling to Ethereum, designed for high‑throughput gaming and collectible experiences without sacrificing core security. IMX aligns incentives through fees, rewards, and governance, while zkEVM opens the door to familiar EVM tooling and broader liquidity.

If you’re building or collecting in this ecosystem, prioritize secure custody. A hardware wallet such as OneKey can help you safely hold IMX, sign marketplace approvals, and bridge assets with confidence—all while maintaining the performance and UX benefits of Immutable’s L2. For continuing developments and technical specifics, keep an eye on the official sources: Immutable.com, Immutable Blog, and Ethereum’s rollup docs at Ethereum.org.