What is Immutable X? Updated IMX review you shouldn’t miss in 2025

NFTs and blockchain gaming are no longer just short-term trends – they are becoming permanent pillars in the Web3 world. But there’s a problem that makes user experience on Ethereum less than ideal: high gas fees and network congestion. Want to mint an NFT? Prepare to wait. Want to trade an in-game item? That could cost you a small fortune in gas. Enter Immutable X (IMX) – a “high-speed highway” for NFTs and games on Ethereum. So what exactly is Immutable X? Coin60s will help you explore what Immutable X is and how it works.

What is Immutable X?

Immutable X is a Layer 2 solution developed to handle NFT transactions on Ethereum with high speed, zero gas fees, and uncompromised security. It’s built using Zero-Knowledge Rollup (ZK-Rollup) technology – a smart “batching” mechanism that reduces Ethereum’s workload without sacrificing data integrity.

Instead of processing every transaction directly on Ethereum (Layer 1), Immutable X handles hundreds of transactions off-chain. Then, it generates a single cryptographic proof (validity proof) and submits it to Ethereum for verification. Thanks to this approach, Immutable X can achieve up to 9,000 transactions per second (TPS) – all without users paying a single cent in gas fees.

In other words, Immutable X functions like a fast lane for Ethereum – a dedicated lane where NFT and gaming projects can operate smoothly, without congestion or skyrocketing costs. That’s why it has quickly become a top choice for projects aiming to scale up while staying within the Ethereum ecosystem.

The Immutable Ecosystem

A blockchain platform only becomes truly powerful when it has a rich and growing ecosystem and Immutable X proves it’s strong not only in technology but also in real-world adoption.

Immutable X has developed a diverse ecosystem spanning infrastructure, applications, and strategic partnerships. Its biggest highlight? A lineup of high-quality blockchain games. Here are the key components of this growing network:

NFT marketplaces: TokenTrove, AQUA, GameStop Marketplace, Sphere, AtomicHub,… – fast, cheap, and seamless venues for NFT trading.
Featured games: Illuvium (open-world exploration), Gods Unchained (strategic card game), Guild of Guardians (mobile RPG), Ember Sword (MMORPG), Cross The Ages (card game based on novels),… – all building or operating on Immutable X.
Strategic partners: OpenSea, GameStop, Amazon, Rarible, SuperVerse, Spindl, Addressable,… – connecting crypto-native platforms with mainstream Web2 giants.

With over 150 games and more than 40 major partners, Immutable X isn’t just a technical solution – it’s becoming a central hub for the NFT and gaming industry on Ethereum. That’s a massive plus if you’re evaluating its real-world adoption and money flow potential as a Layer 2 project.

Core Products of Immutable X

Immutable X is not just a high-performance Layer 2 solution – it’s a complete ecosystem that provides everything developers need to build, launch, and scale an NFT or blockchain gaming project from start to finish. Here are its key products:

Immutable Passport: A non-custodial wallet and authentication system that allows users to log in quickly without passwords. Designed with gamers in mind – smooth and easy to integrate.
Immutable Checkout: An embedded payment system supporting various methods (credit card, crypto…), enabling users to top up or purchase in-game assets seamlessly.
Orderbook & Marketplace Network: Liquidity-sharing infrastructure across marketplaces and partners, boosting revenue and exposure for digital assets.
Mint: A gas-free NFT minting tool with on-chain security and validity.
Trade: A set of optimized smart contracts and APIs for fast, scalable, and reliable NFT trading.
SDK & Developer Hub: Developer kits, documentation, APIs, and dashboards to support Web3 game studios comprehensively.
Blockchain Data API: Real-time data APIs designed for game studios and backend systems to query, analyze, and interact with the chain.
Immutable zkEVM: A game-specific EVM-compatible blockchain that inherits Ethereum-level security while offering low fees and high throughput.

Altogether, these tools make Immutable X more than just a scaling solution – they position it as a full-stack platform tailored for game publishers and NFT projects looking to scale with speed and security.

What is the IMX Token?

IMX is the utility and governance token of the Immutable X ecosystem, acting as a central component for protocol operations, user rewards, and decentralized governance. Built on Ethereum’s ERC-20 standard, IMX is currently one of the top Layer 2 tokens by market cap in the NFT and gaming sector.

Key information about IMX:

Name: Immutable X
Ticker: IMX
Blockchain: Ethereum
Standard: ERC-20
Total Supply: 2,000,000,000 IMX
Circulating Supply: approx. 1.25 billion IMX
Contract: 0xf57e7e7c23978c3caec3c3548e3d615c346e79ff

What is IMX used for?

Paying transaction fees: 20% of all protocol fees on Immutable X must be paid in IMX. If users don’t hold IMX, the system will auto-swap from other tokens.
Staking rewards: All IMX collected from protocol fees goes into a staking reward pool, which is distributed to users staking their IMX based on proportion.
Governance: IMX holders can vote on key proposals related to the platform’s operations and upgrades.

IMX token allocation:

Ecosystem Growth: 51.74%
Project Development: 25%
Private Sale: 14.26%
Public Sale: 5%
Foundation Reserve: 4%

With clear tokenomics and real-world utility, IMX is far more than a decorative token – it plays a vital role in incentivizing users, securing the network, and driving activity across the Immutable ecosystem.

Immutable X Roadmap and Updates

Immutable X isn’t just stopping at being a Layer 2 for NFTs – the project is expanding its vision with strategic developments like zkEVM launches and custom app chains. Here are the key milestones along its journey:

March 29, 2021: Immutable X mainnet launch – the transition from testnet to live deployment.
August 2023: Rollout of Immutable zkEVM testnet – an EVM-compatible blockchain purpose-built for gaming.
November 2023: Re-genesis of Immutable zkEVM – upgraded structure for better scalability and performance.
December 2023: Official mainnet launch of Immutable zkEVM – setting the stage for large-scale Web3 game deployment.
2024: Launch of Immutable app chain – allowing game developers to own customizable chains with Ethereum-grade security and tailored performance.

This roadmap shows that Immutable X is not just a stopgap solution for “unclogging Ethereum” – it’s positioning itself as a specialized infrastructure layer for the Web3 gaming industry. With zkEVM and app chains, Immutable can support millions of gamers with low fees, high throughput, and strong security – something Ethereum alone can’t yet deliver.

Founding Team and Investors

When evaluating the long-term potential of a Web3 project, the people behind it can be just as important as the tech itself. Immutable X boasts a young but battle-tested founding team and has attracted backing from some of the world’s top-tier investors.

Founding Team:

James Ferguson (CEO): Previously founded Shopyak and Rivlr. Has led Immutable since 2018.
Robbie Ferguson (Co-Founder): Strong blockchain background, formerly with KPMG. A standout young talent in the Web3 space.
Alex Connolly (CTO): Co-founder and lead engineer at Immutable. Studied at the University of Sydney – ranked among the global top 50 universities.

Immutable X funding rounds:

Jul 2018 – Seed Round: $2.4 million – led by Continue Capital, Nirvana Capital, with participation from Coinbase Ventures.
Sep 2019 – Series A: $15 million – led by Galaxy Digital EOS and Naspers Ventures.
Sep 2021 – Series B: $60 million – with investors like Bitkraft Ventures, Alameda Research, and King River Capital.
Mar 2022 – Series C: $200 million – raised from Tencent, Temasek, ParaFi Capital, and Declaration Partners.

In total, Immutable X has raised nearly $280 million, making it one of the most well-funded projects in the NFT and blockchain gaming space.

Strengths and Challenges

Immutable X has the tech, the funding, and the users. But in the hyper-competitive Layer 2 landscape, dominance isn’t handed out – it’s earned. Here’s a breakdown of the project’s key strengths and potential hurdles on its journey forward.

Notable strengths:

A real, functioning ecosystem with over 150 games and dozens of strategic partners – not just a flashy roadmap.
Built on cutting-edge ZK-Rollup technology, enabling fast, cheap transactions without compromising on security.
A clear long-term vision with zkEVM and custom app chains – tailor-made infrastructure for Web3 gaming.
Backed by top-tier investors, which boosts confidence among partners and the broader crypto community.

Challenges to watch:

Fierce competition from other Layer 2s like Arbitrum, zkSync, Polygon zkEVM, and Starknet – especially in the gaming vertical.
Maintaining real user traction and liquidity is tough while the broader NFT market remains subdued.
Some key features are still in testing or incomplete, like staking mechanisms and app chain deployment.
IMX token remains volatile, highly sensitive to overall market sentiment.

In short, Immutable X has the potential to become the “Ethereum of NFT gaming,” but it still has a long road ahead to prove its resilience and long-term impact.

Should you invest in Immutable X (IMX)?

Immutable X (IMX) isn’t just appealing from a tech perspective – it also holds real promise as an investment asset for those eyeing the NFT and blockchain gaming sectors. That said, like any crypto asset, IMX comes with a clear mix of long-term growth potential and short-term risks to weigh carefully.

Reasons to consider tracking or investing in IMX:

A first-mover Layer 2 dedicated to NFT/gaming – not just on paper, but with real products and ecosystem adoption.
Backed by over 150 games and 40+ partners, including major names like Amazon, GameStop, and OpenSea.
Clear roadmap with zkEVM and app chains – if successful, it could become prime infrastructure for Web3 game publishers.
IMX plays a practical role in protocol operations – staking, transaction fees, governance – it’s not a “decorative token.”
High likelihood of deeper listings or integrations with major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase due to project credibility.

Points to consider before buying:

IMX is still volatile and closely tied to altcoin trends and market sentiment – prone to FOMO waves.
The Layer 2 space is extremely competitive, especially in gaming – with Polygon, Arbitrum, zkSync, and StarkNet all vying for dominance.
Staking returns and token utility are still evolving – not yet compelling enough to retain holders long-term without strong conviction.

Investment conclusion:

If you’re a mid-to-long-term investor who believes in Web3 gaming and is looking for a Layer 2 project with real-world adoption, IMX is a solid option to consider.
If you’re a short-term trader, it may be better to wait for key catalysts like app chain mainnet, official staking rollout, or new high-profile partnerships before making a strong move.

Conclusion

Immutable X isn’t just a Layer 2 that “reduces NFT gas fees”, it’s steadily evolving into a dedicated blockchain ecosystem for the Web3 gaming industry. With cutting-edge ZK-Rollup technology, a dynamic founding team, a wide network of partners, and strong financial backing, Immutable X has all the right ingredients to lead the Layer 2 race, at least in the NFT and gaming segments. Of course, the real test lies ahead. Immutable X still has plenty of work to do from fully rolling out its zkEVM and launching app chains to maintaining real user adoption. But if you believe in the future of NFTs, gaming, and Web3 – then Immutable X is a project worth watching closely, or even considering as a long-term investment candidate.