What is Immutable (IMX)?

By CMC AI
17 January 2026 08:53PM (UTC+0)

TLDR

Immutable (IMX) is an Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain focused on solving scalability and cost issues for NFTs and Web3 gaming through zero-knowledge rollup technology.

  1. Ethereum Scaling for NFTs – Optimizes NFT transactions with zero gas fees and near-instant finality.

  2. Web3 Gaming Infrastructure – Powers in-game asset ownership and cross-platform interoperability.

  3. Universal Gaming Token – IMX fuels transactions, staking, and governance in its ecosystem.

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Value Proposition

Immutable addresses Ethereum’s limitations (high fees, slow transactions) by providing a dedicated Layer-2 solution for NFTs and gaming. It enables developers to build games with seamless asset trading and ownership, while users benefit from gas-free minting and instant trades. Major studios like Ubisoft and Netmarble use Immutable for blockchain integration, aiming to merge traditional gaming with Web3 economies (Crypto.com).

2. Technology & Architecture

Immutable uses ZK-rollups (Zero-Knowledge proofs) to bundle transactions off-chain before settling them on Ethereum. This reduces costs and increases throughput to ~9,000 transactions per second. Its zkEVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible chain) allows developers to deploy Ethereum smart contracts with zero gas fees, making it accessible for mainstream gaming studios (Crypto.com).

3. Tokenomics & Ecosystem

The IMX token has three core utilities:
- Transaction Fees: 20% of protocol fees are paid in IMX.
- Staking Rewards: Users earn IMX by staking and participating in network activity.
- Governance: Token holders vote on protocol upgrades.

Immutable’s ecosystem includes tools like the Immutable Passport (non-custodial wallet) and SDKs for developers. Over 680 games, including Gods Unchained and Guild of Guardians, are built on its platform (xKrisNFT).

Conclusion

Immutable is a specialized Layer-2 protocol bridging Ethereum’s security with scalable NFT and gaming applications. Its integration of ZK-rollups and gaming-centric tools positions it as a key player in Web3’s evolution. Can Immutable’s infrastructure attract the next wave of mainstream gaming studios?

CMC AI can make mistakes. Not financial advice.