The X Layer update marks a significant milestone in the blockchain landscape of OKX, thanks to a series of strategic innovations developed in collaboration with Polygon.
According to data collected by industry analysts, this collaboration has led to tangible improvements in the platform’s scalability and efficiency. This upgrade has profoundly transformed the economic model of the OKB token, enhanced the zkEVM technology, and reshaped the OKX ecosystem as a whole.
In this context, users and developers are faced with new opportunities and revitalized competitiveness within the DeFi.
Technological Upgrade X Layer: performance pushed to the maximum with zkEVM
The adoption of the latest version of Polygon CDK (Chain Development Kit) has allowed X Layer to surpass the threshold of 5,000 transactions per second, with significant improvements in terms of scalability.
According to official benchmarks, the platform now supports finalization times of less than 5 seconds, a result that places X Layer among the most high-performing solutions in the sector.
An interesting aspect is that this progress makes the platform capable of handling the high loads typical of DeFi applications and global digital payments, almost entirely reducing the risk of congestion.
- Gas costs reduced: the significant reduction in fees allows for the movement of assets with virtually no costs.
- Greater security: the stronger connection with the mainnet Ethereum helps to contain operational risks for users.
- New tools for developers: more advanced kits facilitate the creation of dApps and decentralized services.
These updates place X Layer among the most high-performing platforms in the current blockchain scenario, thanks to the adoption of the most advanced technologies of Polygon CDK.
New economic model: OKB becomes the unique gas token
Among the most relevant innovations stands out the unified management of the OKB gas token. The L1 version of OKB on X Layer becomes the only asset usable for paying network fees, while the previous versions of OKB will be progressively withdrawn.
Users can perform the conversion through an integrated function in the exchange, thus ensuring a smooth and seamless transition to the new infrastructure.
Extraordinary burn: more than 65 million OKB have been eliminated, setting the total supply of the token at 21 million.
Furthermore, the removal of the “minting” and “burning” functions from the OKB smart contract implements a more transparent and stable monetary model on X Layer. These data have been confirmed by independent blockchain analysts and official OKX reports.
[Editor’s note: This information is supported by official OKX releases and independent industry sources, such as CryptoBriefing and The Block.] (CryptoBriefing, The Block)
OKTChain at sunset: stop trading and complete merger into OKB
The advancement of X Layer also determines the progressive closure of OKTChain, which has become superfluous compared to the new functionalities.
Industry analysts indicate that technological competition and the migration to OKB’s L1 systems have rendered the functions of OKTChain obsolete. The trading of the OKT token was halted on August 13, 2025, with the automatic cancellation of all open orders.
Immediately after, the automatic conversion from OKT to OKB started, based on a mechanism that values the tokens according to the average closing price calculated between July 13 and August 12, 2025. This operation will establish a single reference for economic and technical governance on X Layer.
[Editor’s note: The information is confirmed by official OKX communications and industry sources.] (Blockonomi, CryptoBriefing)
OKX Wallet integrated: instant and fee-free crypto transfers
Among the changes introduced is the total integration of the OKX wallet with X Layer. This allows for asset transfers such as USDT and other main tokens quickly and without additional gas costs.
The “zero gas” feature active both in the wallet and in the exchange removes obstacles for payments and fund transfers between users and platforms. The data collected by the OKX team shows a 95% reduction in transaction fees for users enabled with the new protocol.
- Exchange OKX: withdrawals of the main cryptocurrencies are now executed without additional gas fees, a significant milestone for the market.
- OKX Pay: X Layer is configured as the default chain, allowing instant payments and transfers, a key element for business and private users.
Overall, these innovations enhance the fluidity of payments and elevate security standards in the crypto context.
[Official source OKX and documentation dedicated to the OKX wallet] (OKX Support, OKX Web3 X Layer)
zkEVM on X Layer: lower bandwidth and costs for the new DeFi
The use of zkEVM blockchain offers tangible results: more robust infrastructure, increased throughput, and significant reduction in fees.
This makes X Layer more attractive for DeFi projects, decentralized applications, and tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), helping to consolidate its presence among the leading blockchain platforms for financial and industrial sectors.
Experts highlight how the latest generation zkEVM technology allows for a significant extension of transaction processing capacity, while maintaining high standards of security and privacy.
However, an open question remains: will this technological leap truly favor genuine decentralization and real benefits for users, or could the consolidation on a single token limit competitiveness?
The Polygon CDK is known for its high performance and modularity, with transaction finalization times around 5 seconds. (Polygon Technology)
DeFi, RWA, and incentives: the new fund to grow on X Layer
To support the expansion of its ecosystem, X Layer has established a dedicated incentive fund to support new projects in strategic areas:
- DeFi: development of lending platforms, decentralized exchanges (DEX), and innovative financial offerings.
- Crypto-native payments: enhancement of integrated solutions for digital payments directly on the blockchain.
- Tokenized real assets (RWA): promotion and exchange of digitized securities through X Layer.
Based on the latest data published by OKX, the fund has allocated more than 50 million dollars in incentives for the next two years, with the goal of accelerating adoption and innovation. The aim is to increase liquidity and engagement for investors and users, thus encouraging the entry of new operators, both in fintech and in traditional entrepreneurial realities.
[Ndr: The details on the incentive fund and the distribution criteria are available through the official channels of the OKX ecosystem.] (Blockonomi)
Timeline of Events: Key Milestones of the X Layer Revolution
- Recently: trading of OKT tokens on OKX was suspended on August 13, 2025, with the corresponding removal of unfilled orders.
- Ongoing: the automatic conversion of OKT tokens into OKB, which includes periodic updates of values based on the average price between July 13 and August 12, 2025.
- Record burn of OKB: completed the burn of over 65 million tokens, setting the total supply at 21 million.
- Restoration of OKB smart contract: permanent removal of emission and burn functions to ensure greater stability.
- OKTChain towards shutdown: the network remains active only for final integration operations, with cessation expected by early 2026.
A new phase for X Layer: opportunities, limits, and upcoming challenges
The upgrade X Layer represents a significant change in the evolution of OKX: the unification of OKB as the sole gas token, the shutdown of OKTChain, the full integration of services, and the creation of a new incentive plan outline a modern and complex blockchain ecosystem.
However, these developments also raise questions about aspects such as governance, decentralization, and competition.
According to some industry analyses, consolidation under a single token could simplify management but at the same time reduce fragmentation, with both positive and negative repercussions on community participation.
In this context, the combination of new technological solutions and incentive initiatives redefines the competitiveness of the blockchain.
It remains to be seen to what extent this architecture will be sufficient to ensure the predominant role of X Layer in the global DeFi landscape and if it will be able to combine openness to innovation with the protection of the community’s interests.
The answers will arrive in the coming months, through constant monitoring of the official OKX channels (https://www.okx.com) and the evolution of the crypto market.