Immutable Price (IMX)

Immutable (formerly Immutable X) is a Layer-2 scaling solution for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain. It aims to address the scalability and high gas fee issues associated with minting and trading NFTs on Ethereum. Immutable utilizes a technology called zero-knowledge (ZK) rollups to achieve scalability.

Instead of recording every transaction on the Ethereum blockchain, Immutable batches hundreds of transactions into a single cryptographic proof called a succinct non-interactive argument of knowledge (SNARK). This proof is then submitted to the Ethereum blockchain and verified by a smart contract. By reducing the amount of data involved, the smart contract can validate and publish transactions more efficiently. This allows Immutable to facilitate up to 9,000 transactions per second with very low gas fees.

One of the unique features of Immutable is its ability to enable instant transaction confirmation and zero gas fees for minting and trading NFTs. Users can create and trade NFTs at lower costs without compromising the security of their assets. Immutable also provides an API for the easy creation and transfer of NFTs, allowing developers to integrate Immutable APIs and wallets into their platforms.

IMX is the native currency for Immutable and is an ERC-20 governance and utility token for the network. It is used to pay transaction fees and incentivize users and developers on the platform. IMX token holders can earn rewards through staking in reward pools and participate in the governance of Immutable by voting on community proposals.

Immutable price history

2021

During the ICO period on November 5, 2021, the token was priced at $0.16. On November 25, Immutable rose to its highest price of $9.50. IMX then declined throughout the rest of the year, dipping to $4.214 by December.

2022

Due to a bearish market, the Immutable price plummeted by 90% (along with its market cap), trading at approximately $0.38 in December 2022. This marked the token's lowest price ever recorded.

2023

The Immutable price had a hot start to the year, jumping from $0.3855 in January to $1.5345 by mid March. Since then, the token has steadily declined, falling to $0.5334 by September.

How does IMX work?

Immutable uses ZK-rollups in partnership with StarkWare. In ZK-rollups, assets are locked in a smart contract, and transactions are performed off-chain. 

These transactions are organized into batches or blocks, and the proof is generated to validate each batch's integrity. This proof is published on-chain to the main blockchain and verified by a smart contract, which updates the on-chain state. Users can withdraw their assets based on this updated state.

The system utilizes a vault Merkle tree, where each leaf node represents a vault containing an asset. The Merkle tree's logic is encoded in the on-chain smart contract and the Layer-2 proof logic. 

The use of STARK proofs, a more advanced proving technology, enhances security and eliminates the need for a trusted setup ceremony, making it post-quantum secure. The REST APIs provided by Immutable simplify complex blockchain interactions, allowing users to transfer NFTs using API calls. Developers can integrate these APIs into their platforms using Immutable's software development kits (SDKs), enabling them to build NFT projects quickly and efficiently.

To ensure data availability, Immutable offers two modes: roll-up and valium. 

In roll-up mode, state changes are published to Layer-1 (L1), ensuring L1 security but adding a small cost to each transaction. In valium mode, a Data Availability Committee (DAC) signs each batch, allowing users to withdraw assets so long as at least one committee member is honest. Immutable's DAC consists of various trusted entities, ensuring decentralization and asset security.

Asset minting in Immutable takes place entirely in Layer-2 (L2), allowing for the minting of assets with immutable and mutable metadata. This flexibility enables NFTs to represent various types of digital assets, including those with changing properties based on user inputs.

Immutable involves a custom elliptic curve and the use of a key pair derived from it for signing transactions. The "Link" acts as an intermediate layer between Ethereum wallets and Immutable, facilitating the generation of the STARK keypair from a security message. This approach delegates wallet security and recovery to the underlying Ethereum wallet.

Who are the founders of Immutable? 

The founders of Immutable, are James Ferguson and Robbie Ferguson in 2018. James Ferguson has a background in game development known for co-founding Fuel Games, the team behind the popular game "Gods Unchained." 

James Ferguson and Robbie Ferguson founded Immutable in 2018. Ferguson has a background in game development and is known for co-founding Fuel Games, the team behind the popular game "Gods Unchained." 

Immutable raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Naspers, Galaxy Digital, and Apex Capital Partners.

What is Immutable used for?

IMX tokens can be used to pay 2% as Immutable's protocol fee. This can be done either by directly using IMX or by automatically converting other currencies (such as ETH) to IMX on the open market. 

IMX tokens received through the fee capture mechanism are allocated to a staking rewards pool. At regular monthly intervals, this pool is distributed proportionally among active IMX token stakers on Immutable. The rewards granted to individual users are based on the amount of IMX they have staked relative to other stakers during the month.

Token holders can also participate in decentralized governance by voting on token-related proposals. These proposals encompass various topics, such as the allocation of token reserves, voting on developer grants, activating daily rewards, and making changes to the token supply. The governance process is designed to enhance the utility and decentralization of the IMX token, with users exercising their voting rights to shape the Immutable ecosystem development. 

What makes Immutable unique?

Immutable's carbon neutral marketplace includes instant NFT trades, non-custodial functionality, and scalability up to 9,000 transactions per second, all with zero transaction fees.

Immutable's global Autobook is another unique feature that enhances liquidity and exposure for NFTs. When an NFT is listed for sale on one of the marketplaces within the Immutable ecosystem, it automatically appears on all other marketplaces connected to the platform.

This means that sellers can reach a larger pool of potential buyers, increasing the visibility and trading volume of their NFTs. By enabling seamless synchronization across multiple marketplaces, it maximizes liquidity and facilitates a more interconnected and efficient NFT trading experience.

How can I mine or stake IMX?

Immutable (IMX) utilizes a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus algorithm, which means that instead of mining, IMX holders have the opportunity to stake their tokens and participate in the network's consensus and block validation process.

Below is a step-by-step guide to staking Immutable (IMX):

0. Set up a wallet to store and hold IMX

1. Purchase Immutable (IMX) via MoonPay

2. Delegate your IMX to a validator

3. Earn staking rewards in IMX