What is Immutable? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Immutable at a glance.

Immutable is an Ethereum Layer 2 built specifically for web3 games and NFTs. It launched in 2021 with Immutable X, a StarkEx-based rollup, and later added Immutable zkEVM. Both settle on Ethereum, and the platform is designed so NFT minting and trading can happen without users paying gas on each transaction.

Total value locked (DeFi)

$2.8M

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Immutable. Updated Jun 2, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

IMX

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live IMX price.

How it works

How Immutable works.

Immutable scales Ethereum using zero-knowledge rollup technology. The original Immutable X is built on StarkEx and uses validity proofs to settle on Ethereum, while the newer Immutable zkEVM offers an EVM-compatible environment for Solidity contracts. Both batch transactions off mainnet and post proofs to Ethereum, which keeps fees low while inheriting Ethereum security.

Consensus: Ethereum Layer 2 with zero-knowledge rollups

Immutable scales Ethereum using zero-knowledge rollup technology. The original Immutable X is built on StarkEx and uses validity proofs to settle on Ethereum, while the newer Immutable zkEVM offers an EVM-compatible environment for Solidity contracts. Both batch transactions off mainnet and post proofs to Ethereum, which keeps fees low while inheriting Ethereum security.

Built for gaming

Immutable is designed around the needs of games and NFT projects, with tooling for minting, trading, and managing in-game assets at scale.

Gas-free trading model

The platform is structured so players can mint and trade NFTs without paying gas on each action, removing a common friction point for game users.

Two execution layers

Immutable X, based on StarkEx, was the original scaling solution. Immutable zkEVM adds a fully EVM-compatible chain so developers can use standard Ethereum tooling.

IMX token

IMX is used for fees, staking, and rewards within the ecosystem, and a portion of protocol fees is paid in IMX.

Ecosystem & usage

What Immutable is used for.

Immutable is used by game studios and NFT projects that need to mint and trade large volumes of digital items cheaply. Its marketplaces and developer tools are aimed squarely at on-chain gaming.

DefiLlama

Web3 game assets

Studios mint and manage in-game items as NFTs that players can own and trade.

NFT marketplaces

NFTs trade on Immutable using a model designed to avoid gas fees on each transaction.

Developer tooling

Game developers use Immutable's SDKs and APIs to integrate on-chain assets without building rollup infrastructure themselves.

Staking

IMX can be staked to participate in the ecosystem and earn rewards.

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In the Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend IMX.

Immutable is integrated in the Zypto App. Hold IMX in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold IMX in Zypto How to buy IMX

Be the reason Immutable ships next.

Immutable isn’t in the Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is Immutable used for?

Immutable is an Ethereum Layer 2 built for web3 gaming and NFTs. Game studios and NFT projects use it to mint and trade digital assets at scale with low or no gas fees on transactions.

What is the difference between Immutable X and Immutable zkEVM?

Immutable X is the original scaling solution, built on StarkEx, which uses zero-knowledge validity proofs. Immutable zkEVM is a newer, fully EVM-compatible chain that lets developers use standard Ethereum smart contract tooling. Both settle on Ethereum.

How can NFT trading be gas-free?

Immutable structures its rollup so that minting and trading NFTs does not require users to pay gas on each transaction, removing a common cost barrier for game players. Costs are handled at the platform level instead.

What is IMX used for?

IMX is the native token, used for fees, staking, and rewards within the Immutable ecosystem.

Can I hold IMX in the Zypto App?

Not yet. IMX isn't in the Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Immutable using the "Request Immutable" button above.

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