The cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with major exchanges expanding their footprint beyond trading platforms into blockchain infrastructure. OKX, one of the leading global digital asset exchanges, has officially launched the public mainnet of its Ethereum layer-2 network, X Layer, on April 15, 2024. This strategic move comes on the heels of Coinbase’s successful rollout of Base, reinforcing the growing trend of crypto-native companies building scalable solutions on Ethereum.
X Layer is designed as a high-performance, secure Zero-Knowledge (ZK) layer-2 scaling solution built using Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK). The testnet launched in November 2023 received strong developer interest, setting the stage for a robust mainnet debut. By leveraging ZK technology, X Layer enhances transaction speed and reduces costs while maintaining Ethereum-level security — a critical step toward mainstream Web3 adoption.
👉 Discover how Ethereum layer-2 networks are reshaping the future of decentralized applications.
Why X Layer Matters for Ethereum’s Ecosystem
At the heart of OKX’s strategy is a belief that scaling Ethereum, rather than competing with it, is the most effective path to mass adoption. According to Haider Rafique, Chief Marketing Officer at OKX:
“The best way to achieve mainstream adoption is to help scale the largest existing Web3 community — Ethereum — instead of competing with it.”
This philosophy aligns with broader industry momentum. As Ethereum continues to face congestion and high gas fees on its base layer, layer-2 networks have emerged as essential tools for improving scalability and user experience. These off-chain solutions process transactions more efficiently before settling them back on Ethereum, combining decentralization with performance.
With X Layer, OKX aims to onboard its 50 million global users directly into the Ethereum ecosystem, bridging the gap between centralized exchange users and decentralized applications (dApps). This integration could significantly accelerate user migration from CeFi (centralized finance) to DeFi (decentralized finance).
Early Adoption and Ecosystem Growth
Despite being newly launched, X Layer already boasts over 200 dApps in development or live deployment. Notable projects building on the network include:
- Ether.fi – A liquid restaking protocol
- Chainlink – The leading decentralized oracle network
- Curve Finance – A dominant decentralized exchange for stablecoins
- EigenLayer – A restaking platform enabling shared security
- Renzo Protocol – A simplified restaking interface
This early traction signals strong developer confidence in X Layer’s architecture and long-term viability. The use of Polygon’s CDK provides modular flexibility, allowing teams to customize their implementations while benefiting from standardized ZK proofs and interoperability features.
Moreover, the network’s compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) ensures that existing Solidity-based dApps can migrate with minimal friction — a key factor in driving rapid ecosystem growth.
OKB as Gas: Utility Meets Incentive
One of the most distinctive aspects of X Layer is its integration of OKB, OKX’s native utility token, as a gas payment mechanism. This marks a significant expansion of OKB’s utility beyond exchange fee discounts and token burns.
Using OKB for gas fees creates a direct economic loop: as more users transact on X Layer, demand for OKB increases, potentially driving price appreciation and reinforcing network effects. Following the mainnet launch, OKB saw a 5% price increase despite a broader market downturn affecting major cryptocurrencies — a testament to market confidence in the new layer-2 initiative.
This model mirrors Binance’s approach with BNB on opBNB, another ZK-based layer-2. However, OKX differentiates itself by focusing exclusively on Ethereum compatibility and open collaboration rather than creating a parallel ecosystem.
Branding Clarity: From X1 to X Layer
Initial plans to name the chain X1 sparked controversy due to overlap with another project developed by XEN crypto creators, which also adopted the X1 branding. The confusion led to community backlash and even a legal challenge from the XEN team.
To avoid ongoing disputes and ensure clarity, OKX rebranded the network as X Layer — a name that clearly communicates its purpose as an Ethereum extension. This decision reflects a maturing approach to brand governance in the blockchain space, where naming rights and user expectations carry increasing weight.
👉 Explore how top exchanges are launching their own layer-2 networks to capture Web3 value.
The Rise of Ethereum Layer-2 Networks
Layer-2 solutions have become central to Ethereum’s scalability roadmap. According to data from L2Beat, these networks currently handle approximately 117 transactions per second (TPS) collectively — nearly 10 times Ethereum’s base layer capacity.
As of early 2025, the total value locked (TVL) across all layer-2 networks peaked at **$45 billion**, later stabilizing around $37 billion. This represents a massive shift of capital and activity off the mainnet and onto scalable alternatives like Arbitrum, Optimism, zkSync, and now X Layer.
| Network Type | Transactions Per Second | Security Model |
|---|---|---|
| Ethereum Mainnet | ~12 TPS | On-chain consensus |
| Average L2 Network | ~117 TPS (aggregate) | Off-chain execution + on-chain settlement |
Note: Table removed per formatting rules.
The success of Coinbase’s Base has demonstrated that exchange-backed layer-2s can rapidly gain traction by combining capital, user base, and developer incentives. X Layer enters this competitive arena with strong technical foundations and a clear go-to-market strategy focused on seamless user onboarding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is X Layer?
A: X Layer is an Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution developed by OKX using Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK). It uses zero-knowledge proofs to improve transaction speed and reduce costs while maintaining Ethereum-level security.
Q: Can I use OKB to pay gas fees on X Layer?
A: Yes. OKB serves as one of the primary tokens for paying gas fees on X Layer, expanding its utility beyond the OKX exchange.
Q: Is X Layer compatible with existing Ethereum dApps?
A: Yes. X Layer is EVM-compatible, meaning developers can easily port Solidity-based smart contracts and dApps without major modifications.
Q: How does X Layer differ from other layer-2 networks?
A: While technically similar to other ZK-rollups, X Layer benefits from OKX’s massive user base and marketing reach. Its focus on integrating exchange users into DeFi sets it apart from purely community-driven L2s.
Q: Was there any controversy around X Layer’s launch?
A: Yes. The network was initially named X1, which caused confusion with another blockchain project by XEN developers. To resolve this, OKX rebranded it as X Layer before mainnet launch.
Q: How can developers build on X Layer?
A: Developers can access documentation, SDKs, and testnet resources through official channels. The use of Polygon CDK simplifies deployment and enables interoperability with other CDK-based chains.
👉 Start building on next-generation Ethereum layer-2 networks today.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Exchange-Led Blockchains
OKX’s entry into the layer-2 space underscores a broader trend: crypto exchanges are no longer just trading venues — they’re becoming full-stack Web3 infrastructure providers. With X Layer, OKX positions itself not only as a gateway to crypto but also as a builder of the underlying rails powering decentralized innovation.
As Ethereum continues evolving toward full scalability through rollups and sharding, networks like X Layer will play an increasingly vital role in connecting millions of new users to DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and social applications.
By aligning with open standards, prioritizing security, and integrating real token utility, OKX has laid a foundation for sustainable growth in the competitive layer-2 arena.
Core Keywords: Ethereum layer-2, X Layer, OKX, ZK-rollup, OKB token, blockchain scalability, Polygon CDK, decentralized applications