OKX X Layer Upgrade Boosts TPS to 5,000 and Drives OKB Price Up 166.64%

OKX has completed a major upgrade to its X Layer, transitioning the platform into a public blockchain optimized for decentralized finance (DeFi) and payment applications. The update, finalized on August 5, 2025, introduces significant enhancements including reduced transaction costs, increased throughput, and improved security features. The transition marks the end of OKTChain, with tokens swapped to OKB, consolidating the ecosystem under a single token model [1].

The X Layer now supports a throughput of 5,000 transactions per second (TPS), making it more competitive in the DeFi and payments space. The upgrade also integrates OKB as the sole gas token, with its supply capped at 21 million, reinforcing a deflationary model that could impact its tokenomics. Developers highlighted the use of Pessimistic Proofs in the update, which are expected to strengthen the chain’s security and scalability [1].

Market data reflects a positive response to the upgrade. OKB’s price surged by 166.64% over the past seven days, with a 24-hour trading volume increase of 4,501%. As of August 13, 2025, the token was trading at $120.12, with a market capitalization of $7.21 billion, according to CoinMarketCap [1].

The strategic shift aligns with broader industry trends where blockchain infrastructure is evolving to support high-frequency financial services. OKX aims to leverage its existing exchange infrastructure to provide scalable and secure solutions for developers and businesses. The platform’s focus on DeFi and payments reflects growing demand for decentralized, transparent, and efficient financial services, particularly as blockchain adoption expands among institutions and retail users [1].

The upgrade also supports the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), an emerging trend in 2025. By enabling cross-chain interoperability and asset tokenization, OKX’s X Layer is positioned to facilitate the integration of traditional and blockchain-based financial systems [1].

Analysts note that while the upgrade could enhance OKX’s competitive positioning in the DeFi space, challenges remain in ensuring seamless adoption and compliance across regulatory environments. The company’s efforts to improve gas efficiency and scalability could attract more developers and enterprises building financial applications on its platform [1].

Sources:

[1] OKX. (2025, August 8). Announcement on the PP Upgrade of X Layer and Optimization of the OKB Gas. https://www.okx.com/ru/help/announcement-on-the-pp-upgrade-of-x-layer-and-optimisation-of-the-okb-gas