Ethereum's rival, Immutable, surpasses in Non-Fungible Token (NFT) dominance as cryptocurrency momentum accelerates

Ethereum's rival, Immutable, surpasses in Non-Fungible Token (NFT) dominance as cryptocurrency momentum accelerates

In the vibrant world of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), a shift in dominance is underway. According to recent data, the total volume of NFTs on Immutable X saw a significant increase of 7.2 percent in June, while Ethereum recorded a decline in its NFT volumes.

This surge in Immutable X's NFT trading volume can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, Immutable X offers gas-free transactions, a significant advantage over Ethereum's often high gas fees. This affordability makes it an attractive choice for users and developers alike.

Secondly, Immutable X boasts high transaction throughput, capable of handling up to 9,000 transactions per second. This speed and scalability help avoid the delays and congestion common on Ethereum's mainnet.

Thirdly, Immutable X focuses on functional NFTs for gaming, driving higher user engagement and retention compared to the static NFT collections more common on Ethereum. The growing user base and developer adoption have contributed to Immutable X surpassing Ethereum in weekly NFT trading volume during recent months.

The niche in affordable, fast, and game-focused NFTs is the main factor fueling Immutable X's relative surge in NFT marketplace activity compared to Ethereum’s mainnet. In fact, Immutable’s weekly NFT trading volume has reached around $36 million to $42 million, even surpassing Ethereum's volume during some weeks, although Ethereum remains strong overall and saw a significant resurgence in July 2025.

As the NFT landscape evolves, so does the recommended approach. For Ethereum, it is suggested to focus on blue chip or art or brand names, while Immutable is recommended for playing and developing games, in-game assets, and scalable projects.

Moreover, the introduction of NFT 2.0 in the middle of 2025 marks a new era for NFTs. Described as interoperable, utility-based, and chain-agnostic, NFT 2.0 promises to bring about a more integrated and versatile NFT ecosystem.

The market is demonstrating a slow recovery due to the bullish run on Bitcoin and other well-developed cryptocurrencies. Amidst this recovery, the growth in Immutable's NFT trading volume was mainly due to soaring participation in gaming-based NFTs and discontent among users over Ethereum’s excessive transaction fees.

Collectors are also requiring that artworks be stored using decentralized platforms such as IPFS or Arweave rather than centralized URLs. This shift in focus from buying and selling jpegs to buying access, utility, and future-proof value is expected to continue among the brightest collectors in 2025.

In addition to Immutable, other players in the NFT space are making waves. For instance, Amazon is rumoured to explore an NFT marketplace, potentially including tokenized rewards and Prime integrations. Similarly, companies like Starbucks, Nike, and Adidas are extending their loyalty programs using NFTs.

Games such as Illuvium and Shrapnel are developing NFTs that bear utility across games and platforms, further blurring the lines between gaming and digital asset worlds. Even Bitcoin is not left behind, with Bitcoin Ordinals mentioned for long-term historical NFT wagers.

In the midst of this dynamic landscape, Immutable X stands out with its gas-free transactions, focus on the Web3 gaming and digital asset niche, and operation on a high-performance zkEVM Layer 2 infrastructure that is carbon-neutral. The Immutable X token, or IMX, is not just a data peak over Ethereum, but an indicator of a new path in digital ownership, emphasizing scalability, accessibility, and real-world utility.

As we move forward, it is crucial to look beyond the hype and focus on real utility, such as providing access to games, apps, or real-world events with token gates, making revenue sharing or staking available, and having elaborate road maps and decentralized metadata. The future of NFTs lies in this direction, and Immutable X is leading the charge.

References: [1] Binance Research [2] Market data platforms [3] Immutable X official website [4] Immutable X whitepaper

1. The surge in Immutable X's NFT trading volume can be attributed to its gas-free transactions, high transaction throughput, and focus on functional NFTs for gaming, which contribute to a higher user engagement and retention compared to Ethereum's static NFT collections.
2. In contrast to Ethereum, Immutable X's weekly NFT trading volume reached around $36 million to $42 million, sometimes even surpassing Ethereum during certain weeks, due to its affinity with gaming-based NFTs and the discontent among users over Ethereum's excessive transaction fees.

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