The US Department of Commerce has begun publishing official economic statistics directly on public blockchains, describing this as a new approach to transparency and data security.

The pilot program launched on Aug. 28 includes nine networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, TRON, Stellar, Avalanche, Arbitrum One, Polygon PoS, and Optimism.

The announcement confirmed,

“The Department published an official hash of its quarterly GDP data release for 2025—and, in some cases, the topline GDP number.”

Notably, other leading blockchain networks like XRP Ledger and Cardano did not participate in the initial rollout.

The authorities pointed out that major US exchanges, including Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken, assisted in making the datasets available.

The government added that future releases could expand to additional chains, oracles, and market participants as the program matures.

US GDP grew 3.3%

For the first release, the department issued a cryptographic proof of its July 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) update, which showed annualized growth of 3.3%. In some cases, the department also shared the topline GDP number itself.

The US government said the effort is designed to make federal data immutable and universally accessible, while testing blockchain’s ability to serve as a permanent publishing platform.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick framed the initiative as both symbolic and practical. He stated:

“It’s only fitting that the Commerce Department and President Donald Trump, the Crypto-President, publicly release economic statistical data on the blockchain. We are making America’s economic truth immutable and globally accessible like never before, cementing our role as the blockchain capital of the world.”

Notably, this comes less than two days after Lutnick revealed that the Donald Trump-led government planned to issue economic data on public blockchains.

Oracle providers to distribute data

Meanwhile, the data is simultaneously being distributed through Chainlink and Pyth, two major oracle providers.

Chainlink confirmed that several indicators compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis—including GDP, the PCE Price Index, and real final sales to private domestic purchasers—are now available on-chain for the first time.

According to the firm, these metrics will be refreshed monthly or quarterly. It added:

“Bringing US government data onchain unlocks innovative use cases for blockchain markets, such as automated trading strategies, increased composability of tokenized assets, the issuance of new types of digital assets, real-time prediction markets for crowdsourced intelligence, transparent dashboards powered by immutable data, and DeFi protocol risk management based on macroeconomic factors.”

Solana-based Pyth added that “the data [would become] instantly accessible to 600+ connected applications across 100+ blockchains.”

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As the Web3 landscape matures, Immutable is challenging conventional staking models with a bold experiment: what if earning rewards required real activity—not just holding tokens? IMX staking on its zkEVM-powered network flips the script on passive income—offering dynamic returns tied to participation and already drawing attention across Web3 gaming.

Key Takeaways

• IMX staking on zkEVM requires user engagement each cycle to earn rewards, not just token locking.

• Rewards are drawn from real protocol fees, offering sustainability beyond inflation-driven models.

• Immutable zkEVM supports a fast-growing NFT and gaming environment with over 500 titles live or in development.

• Participants receive dynamic APY, airdrops, and governance access—benefits aimed at active contributors.

What Is IMX Staking?

IMX staking is Immutable’s core incentive layer for its zkEVM-powered ecosystem. Launched on June 19, 2025, the program marked a pivotal shift from traditional staking models. Rather than distribute rewards for simply holding tokens, Immutable’s model requires proof of participation.

To earn staking rewards, users must complete three tasks within each 14-day cycle:

• Bridge IMX tokens to the zkEVM chain initially (if not already bridged)

• Stake them via the official dashboard

• Execute at least one NFT trade on a zkEVM-integrated marketplace

Once tokens are on zkEVM, bridging isn’t required each cycle—only staking and trading are necessary. Skipping any step results in no reward for that period. This structure transforms staking into an ongoing commitment rather than passive investment.

The program is funded through 20% of protocol trading fees—not inflation. With Immutable charging a 2% fee on every NFT transaction, staking returns are directly tied to the platform’s economic activity. That makes reward rates variable but fundamentally grounded in real usage.

As Immutable puts it in their official launch announcement, “This marks a major shift in how rewards are distributed.”

How It Works in Practice

Staking begins by bridging tokens to zkEVM (only needed once unless moved off-chain). Users then stake tokens and complete one trade per cycle to qualify for rewards. Early unstaking disqualifies users for that period.

At the end of each cycle, rewards are automatically deposited—no manual claim needed. Users who wish to continue must stay staked and keep trading each cycle.

The process is flexible: tokens aren’t locked long term, and participants can opt out between cycles. Still, consistent participation yields more predictable returns.

Activity-based staking models can struggle in bear markets, when users are less inclined to transact regularly. Maintaining momentum through market cycles remains a key challenge for this design.

Source: Immutable

Why Games Power the IMX Ecosystem

At the heart of Immutable’s staking design is a thriving NFT gaming scene. The zkEVM chain was built to scale game economies—and the staking program reflects that.

As someone who’s been active in NFT gaming since the early play-to-earn days, I’ve watched how game-based assets like weapons, skins, and cards evolved from speculative tokens to real in-game utilities. Immutable’s focus on utility-driven NFTs reflects that shift.

Game-based NFTs like weapons, skins, and digital cards fuel a high volume of peer-to-peer trades. These aren’t just cosmetic; in many games like Gods Unchained, every card has strategic gameplay value and real resale utility. Each trade generates a fee that funds staking rewards—directly linking player activity to network growth.

From a player’s perspective, it creates a loop: trading items contributes to the economy, which helps generate rewards for the community. For developers, it drives long-term retention—active marketplaces strengthen game economies and token utility.

Hundreds of games are either live or in development, spanning indie to AAA studios. This focus on utility-driven NFTs ensures staking serves as both a reward and reinvestment engine for the entire ecosystem.

Ecosystem Strength: Games, Trades, and Users

IMX staking isn’t a standalone initiative—it’s embedded in one of the most active NFT and Web3 gaming ecosystems. As of Q1 2025, Immutable zkEVM has handled over 498,000 daily transactions on average, with more than 99.9% of the network’s NFT volume consolidated on the chain.

The platform generated $78.3 million in NFT trading volume during Q1, primarily driven by titles such as Gods Unchained and Guild of Guardians. These in-game transactions generate the trading fees that fund staking rewards.

I’ve followed Immutable since the launch of Gods Unchained and watched the team iterate across ecosystems. The shift to zkEVM feels like a natural, scalable next step.

Prior to the transition, 4.8 million IMX had already been distributed through staking on Immutable X—averaging over 67,000 IMX weekly. The move to zkEVM consolidates this incentive layer under a unified chain model, with staking now integrated natively into the ecosystem.

Since the June 2025 launch of staking, Immutable has distributed millions of IMX tokens in rewards, with weekly allocations tied to marketplace activity. Consistent players and traders—those immersed in the ecosystem—tend to benefit most.

Evaluating Sustainability

Unlike many yield farming schemes that rely on inflation and eventually fizzle out, IMX staking ties rewards to real activity. By requiring users to actively trade and stake, Immutable is shifting incentives away from passive speculation and toward consistent engagement.

That said, scaling this model won’t be easy. Heavy users are rewarded, but casual gamers and collectors might find the system too demanding. Lower barriers or lighter participation tiers may be needed to grow the user base meaningfully.

Then there’s the issue of reward volatility. Since the program’s launch, APY has swung noticeably higher during active trading periods and lower when things slow down. These fluctuations are visible on Immutable’s dashboard each cycle, but the unpredictability might turn off users looking for steady returns.

Still, compared to short-lived staking experiments from previous market cycles, Immutable’s model feels more robust. By grounding rewards in actual usage rather than token emissions, it’s attempting a more durable approach.

Why This Model Matters

IMX staking doesn’t cater to short-term speculators. It rewards builders, players, and collectors who return cycle after cycle. It stands out for requiring measurable user engagement, rather than passive holding.

The design builds alignment: engaged users help grow the ecosystem, and the ecosystem in turn rewards them. Protocol fees fund the system—no inflation required—making it sustainable by design.

Reward distribution is managed in partnership with the IMX Ecosystem Foundation, reinforcing a transparent and community-aligned governance framework.

If Immutable continues onboarding high-utility games and expanding marketplace traction, its staking model may inform future models that link staking with ecosystem activity.

IMX staking rewards action over accumulation. It offers a transparent alternative to inflation-heavy models. For participants eager to help shape the future of Web3 gaming, it offers a way to earn, play, and grow—together.

Ubisoft is revisiting its classic Might & Magic franchise—this time with a blockchain twist. The famed publisher behind Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry has teamed up with Immutable, a leading Web3 gaming platform, to introduce Might & Magic: Fates, an original strategy card game.

The new title, slated for release on iOS and Android, aims to honor the franchise’s 40-year legacy while integrating optional blockchain-based digital ownership and trading elements.

Modern Card Strategy Meets Blockchain

Fates blend the classic strategic essence of Might & Magic with fresh mechanics designed for mobile play. Players can assemble and customize decks from hundreds of collectible cards, each featuring iconic creatures, heroes, and spells. The game will also include faction-based playstyles, allowing players to build decks around distinct themes and mechanics. Each faction offers unique synergies to encourage diverse tactical approaches.

Ubisoft and Immutable promise a skill-based experience, emphasizing that a player’s tactical prowess—not sheer luck or spending power—will determine victory.

Leveraging Immutable’s technology, Fates will introduce new forms of digital ownership, such as cards minted as NFTs that can be traded outside the game’s ecosystem. However, Ubisoft has stated that this feature is optional and does not provide gameplay advantages, aiming to preserve balance and accessibility.

Immutable has experience backing popular blockchain titles like Gods Unchained and Guild of Guardians, which feature player-owned assets. Gods Unchained has notably benefited from Immutable’s gas-free layer-2 solution, with plans to transition to Immutable zkEVM for additional functionality.

According to Immutable, the AAA partnership with Ubisoft was first revealed two years ago and has now led to this major announcement. Backed by millions in investment and developed by a team of Ubisoft veterans, Fates is designed to be “free-to-play” and easily accessible through mobile devices worldwide.

Champions Tactics: Reforged Sees Season 3 Update

Meanwhile, Ubisoft has also been updating its Web3-inspired tactical strategy game, Champions Tactics: Reforged. Recently entering Season 3, the game added new content and competitive challenges, setting the stage for a broader audience as it prepares for its launch on Steam.

However, Champions Tactics faced setbacks during an opening weekend bug that led to just two players winning every matchmade game. The issue branded the game “unplayable,” although Ubisoft has since addressed the glitch and continued rolling out seasonal content. Season 3 offers further narrative developments in the fantasy world of Grimoria while refining PvP battles to focus on strategy rather than luck.

A Broader Push into Web3

Ubisoft’s latest move into blockchain gaming shows they’re still exploring new frontiers—but it’s not their first time testing these waters, and past efforts haven’t exactly won everyone over.

Earlier ventures, like the Quartz platform and NFT integration in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, drew criticism from players. Many felt those features didn’t add much to the actual gameplay and raised concerns about their environmental impact.

This time, though, Ubisoft appears to be taking a different approach. By teaming up with Immutable and leaning on proven blockchain tech, they’re aiming to offer something more thoughtful—something that blends innovation with accessibility.

If it all comes together, Fates could become a model for how game studios can explore Web3 without losing sight of what makes games great in the first place.

Web3 gaming platform Immutable and French video game powerhouse Ubisoft have officially announced Might & Magic Fates, a new TCG title set to launch later this year.

With development led by Ubisoft teams known for producing global hits such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, and backed by Immutable’s blockchain infrastructure, Fates represents a significant convergence of traditional and blockchain gaming.

The project is described as the biggest partnership in Immutable’s history and is expected to tap into Ubisoft Connect’s user base of over 138 million players.

What is Might & Magic Fates?

Might & Magic Fates is a trading card game and is a new instalment in the Might & Magic franchise, a series that dates back to the 1980s and includes both role-playing games and strategy spin-offs.

Over the past four decades, the franchise has cultivated a loyal global fanbase and is widely regarded as one of the longest-running IPs in gaming history. The new title draws from the Might & Magic franchise’s factions, creatures, and characters, combining them into a competitive, deck-building experience.

Might & Magic Fates is primarily free-to-play with optional web3 features available for players who want it. According to the official site, players will be able to trade cards via the Immutable blockchain, though this has no impact on gameplay or competitive balance. The core experience will remain fully accessible without interacting with any blockchain elements.

What’s next for Might & Magic Fates?

Immutable co-founder Robbie Ferguson described the collaboration as the “outcome of our biggest partnership yet,” and hinted that Fates is just the first step in a larger multi-stage rollout.

He also cited “millions in funding” and the reach of Ubisoft Connect as key ingredients for the game’s anticipated success. In Ferguson’s own words, Immutable is “not stopping until Immutable games are played by 1B+ people worldwide.”

Ubisoft and Immutable have confirmed that Might & Magic Fates is scheduled to launch later this year, with further details to be shared in the coming months. These will include more information about the game’s mechanics, its approach to lore, and the broader vision behind the project.

As development continues, the team encourages interested players to join the official Discord community and follow updates on X.

Ethereum gaming platform Immutable has announced plans to unify its networks by merging the original Immutable X into the newer Immutable zkEVM chain. The process, expected to wrap up in late 2025, comes after the zkEVM network processed nearly 150 million transactions since launching in early 2024.

Immutable introduced its zkEVM solution last year, offering EVM-compatible smart contracts, deeper liquidity for in-game items, and access to a larger pool of DeFi tools. zkEVM chains offer scalability, faster transaction speeds, and lower fees while maintaining full compatibility with Ethereum smart contracts.

According to the company, the goal of consolidating assets and games into a single network is to create a “true home of Web3 gaming.”

Several high-profile titles have already made the transition, including Guild of Guardians. This mobile role-playing game boasts more than one million downloads.

Automatic Migration for Most Users

The upcoming merge aims to minimize friction for existing Immutable users. Wallet holders will generally see their assets automatically appear on Immutable zkEVM without having to perform manual steps. Those using the Immutable Passport wallet should find their tokens and collectibles in the same address once the network transition goes live. For users of other wallets, such as MetaMask, assets will also be migrated to their primary wallet address on zkEVM.

However, Immutable will offer an opt-out option for anyone who prefers not to have their assets automatically transferred. Users can instead withdraw their assets to Ethereum Layer 1 before the merge if they choose to avoid the consolidation process. After the network shift, wallets or custodial services that do not yet support Immutable’s zkEVM chain can contact their provider to enable it.

Source Immutable

Impact on Games and Developers

While the move is relatively straightforward for players, it has greater implications for game developers and marketplaces. The Immutable X APIs will be deprecated, and projects built on those APIs will need to adjust their integrations accordingly. Developers who relied on Immutable Link or the Immutable X SDK will be required to shift to standard EVM wallet interactions and replace existing RPC calls to point toward zkEVM.

In terms of asset contracts, Immutable plans to reissue ERC20 and ERC721 tokens for existing projects using a standard template. These new contracts will carry their own addresses on zkEVM, distinct from the original Immutable X collections. The company will provide an API to map old contract addresses to their new counterparts, reducing confusion and ensuring a smoother transition.

Immutable will bear the gas costs for migrating these assets, and the default ownership rights will remain with the same project owners as on Immutable X. Developers who prefer custom contracts or want to convert ERC721 items into ERC1155 tokens have until April 2025 to make those arrangements with Immutbale’s support team.

Expanding Game Ecosystem

Immutable has already seen a variety of games and publishers deploy on the zkEVM chain. Along with Guild of Guardians, other well-known titles in the Immutable ecosystem include Gods Unchained, Illuvium, RavenQuest, Space Nation Online, Immortal Rising 2, and Treeverse.

By the time the full merge is complete, Immutable expects all these projects—and any new additions—to benefit from a unified environment that aims to streamline token trading, cross-game collaboration, and user on-ramps.

Looking Ahead

Although an exact date for the merge has not been set, Immutable anticipates that completion in late 2025 will bring all existing users and game developers onto one consolidated chain. The team also plans to release more information on upcoming improvements to validity proofs and the overall architecture, so that both current and future partners can prepare effectively.

Immutable has launched its new Perpetual Rewards programme, offering players a chance to win cryptocurrency through weekly prize draws. The first draw went live on 10 April with a total pool of 235,758.46 $IMX tokens—equivalent to roughly $93,000 at the time of launch.

The programme builds on previous in-game reward systems and is aimed at players who have already participated in supported blockchain games. Those who have collected enough in-game currency known as Gems can now exchange them for entries into a weekly draw.

This marks a formal rollout of a system that was previously tested in beta. According to Immutable, draws will occur on a regular schedule and will include a range of digital prizes, primarily denominated in its native $IMX token.

What is the Immutable Perpetual Rewards?

The Perpetual Rewards programme is designed to distribute $IMX tokens and other in-game items to players based on their past activity. First announced in December 2024, it builds on an earlier initiative called “Main Quests,” which encouraged users to complete tasks in supported games to earn Gems.

Eligible games include Guild of Guardians and Illuvium, among others. Players accumulate Gems by completing in-game objectives which now serve as the main currency for participating in the rewards system.

The prizes in the Perpetual Rewards programme are distributed based on the player’s Key tier. Players who redeem a Key are eligible for prizes from different pools, which are segmented by the rarity of their Key. The prize breakdown for the first draw (235,758.46 $IMX tokens) includes the following tiers:

• Common Tier – 5.88% (13,862.60 $IMX)
• Uncommon Tier – 11.36% (26,782.16 $IMX)
• Rare Tier – 21.98% (51,819.71 $IMX)
• Epic Tier – 18.67% (44,016.10 $IMX)
• Legendary Tier – 17.12% (40,361.85 $IMX)

Additionally, there is a Mythic Draw, which holds 25% of the total prize pool (58,939.62 $IMX) and is open to everyone, regardless of Key tier. In this pool, 100 random winners will receive prizes ranging from 181.548 $IMX to 20,955.888 $IMX.

How to get involved?

To enter the Weekly Draw, players must redeem 500 Gems in exchange for a Key. Each Key represents one entry into that week’s draw, and only one Key may be used per player per week. The draw is divided into three phases:

• Phase 1: Redemption (Thursday to Monday): Players redeem their Gems for a Key.
• Phase 2: Rewards (Tuesday): Immutable processes all entries and determines rewards.
• Phase 3: Claim (Wednesday): Participants can log in to claim any prizes won.

Prizes include $IMX tokens, bonus Gems, future draw entries, and other in-game benefits.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has formally closed its investigation into Australian web3 gaming firm Immutable, the company announced on March 25.

Immutable, known for its Ethereum-based gaming infrastructure and native IMX token, revealed that it had received a Wells notice from the SEC in November 2024 — an indication that the agency was considering enforcement action.

The company believed the inquiry was related to its token’s listing and early sales, which date back to 2021. With the investigation now dropped and no charges filed, Immutable called the decision a step forward for regulatory clarity in the blockchain gaming sector.

Immutable, which aims to bring blockchain-based ownership to the global gaming market, said it plans to accelerate its expansion now that the regulatory uncertainty has been lifted.

String of closures

The case’s closure adds to a growing list of enforcement efforts withdrawn or halted under the SEC’s acting chair, Mark Uyeda.

Since taking the helm in January, Uyeda has overseen the dissolution of several high-profile probes as the agency distances itself from the aggressive enforcement strategy employed during Gary Gensler’s tenure.

In recent weeks, investigations into other major crypto companies — including Gemini, Robinhood, OpenSea, and Yuga Labs — have also been closed. Meanwhile, legal actions involving firms such as Coinbase, Ripple, and Kraken have been dismissed or paused.

The SEC has also established a new Crypto Task Force led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, a longtime advocate for clearer crypto guidelines.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to engage with industry stakeholders and craft formal rulemaking rather than relying on enforcement as a primary tool.

Task force

Since its launch in January, the Crypto Task Force has taken a more collaborative and transparent approach to crypto regulation.

The task force has hosted a series of public roundtables addressing core issues such as digital asset classification, crypto trading platforms, custody solutions, tokenization, and decentralized finance.

It has also actively sought public input from industry stakeholders, including a formal submission from Ripple advocating for clear, predictable criteria to determine whether a digital asset qualifies as a security.

The task force’s efforts signal a broader shift toward structured rulemaking aimed at providing regulatory clarity while supporting innovation in the digital asset space.

The SEC’s evolving posture comes amid a wider re-evaluation of crypto oversight in Washington, fueled in part by policy shifts under the Trump administration.

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Immutable, the blockchain gaming giant, recently partnered with Yield Guild Games (YGG), and they have committed to reward players with $1 million through questing incentives. The aim is to make Web3 gaming more accessible and rewarding for players, developers and gaming guilds.

YGG leads as a top blockchain-based gaming guild protocol, and the partnership combines Immutable’s technology with YGG’s player-focused community model to create more opportunities in the Web3 gaming ecosystem. At the heart of this partnership is YGG’s integration of Immutable’s Passport, a user-friendly self-custody wallet, and its zkEVM scaling solution, which will roll out in early 2025.

The partnership also sees Immutable sponsoring the YGG Play Summit, which began November 19th and includes the first-ever in-person GAM3 Awards, held in Manila on November 22.

Guild Games with Immutable

Immutable is a blockchain solution using Zero-Knowledge Rollups technology that powers secure, fast and low-cost transactions for Web3 games. Efficient and scalable, Immutable is the go-to platform for popular games like Immortal Rising 2, Pixelmon and Arena of Faith.

One of the titles is Guild of Guardians, a mobile RPG designed for teamplay. Guild of Guardians had over one million pre-registered players, making it one of the most promising games in Web3 and is available on Android and iOS.

In the Philippines, YGG Pilipinas is a key driver of GOG’s growth and actively promotes the game through video tutorials, referral codes and leaderboards.

Web3 Gaming in the Philippines

The Philippines has emerged as a global leader in Web3 gaming, supported by a strong gaming culture and widespread interest in Web3 gaming tech. Play-to-earn (P2E) games like Axie Infinity introduced many Filipinos to blockchain gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic.

P2E games have faced challenges like the Axie Infinity hack in 2022, but they have shown the economic potential of blockchain gaming. This momentum is driven forward by communities like YGG Pilipinas, which is still promoting Web3 gaming through events and initiatives.

YGG Pilipinas, a community of over 95,000 gamers, has also been building local industry relationships by organizing summits that bring together developers, creators and even government representatives.

Player Engagement

Yield Guild Games is aiming to redefine player engagement with its Guild Advancement Program, which allows gamers to progress, earn rewards and be active participants in the Web3 ecosystem. The program is designed so players have clear paths to success, and YGG tokens incentivize participation and loyalty.

Web3 gaming guilds are communities where players team up to share resources and earn rewards in blockchain games. They provide access to in-game assets and support, making it easier for members to succeed in play-to-earn environments.

Events like the YGG Play Summit, which Immutable, among others, sponsors, show new games and bring together developers, gamers, and blockchain enthusiasts. The summit offers a packed agenda, including a three-day expo highlighting the latest Web3 games, a one-day conference featuring insights from over 50 thought leaders, esports tournaments with impressive prize pools, and fun side events like cosplay competitions and community meet-ups.

Immutable and YGG’s Future

Developers now have Immutable’s tech, and YGG has the community support to introduce new games and retain players. Meanwhile, the $1 million questing rewards will keep players at the centre of this evolving ecosystem.

The partnership also empowers game ambassadors who advocate for new games within their communities. This will not only increase engagement but could set the foundation for long-term success in Web3 gaming.

Editor’s note: Written with the assistance of AI – Edited and fact-checked by Jason Newey.