🔥 OKB explodes with 170 % surge after 65M token burn
In an extraordinary display of market momentum on August 13, 2025, OKB the native utility token of OKX soared an astonishing 170 % in less than an hour. The catalyst was a major tokenomics overhaul coupled with the burning of over 65 million OKB tokens, instantly tightening supply and triggering heightened demand.
Prior to the announcement, OKB was trading near $47. The surge propelled it to a high of $126, drawing global attention from both retail and institutional market participants. For OKX, this marks one of the most significant strategic moves in its history, one that redefines the utility and scarcity profile of its native asset.
⚙️ New tokenomics and migration to X Layer
The tokenomics revision capped the maximum supply at 21 million OKB, a deliberate alignment with scarcity driven valuation models often associated with leading assets like Bitcoin.
Beyond the supply changes, OKX announced a complete migration to X Layer, a high-performance zkEVM blockchain built with Polygon CDK technology. Capable of processing up to 5,000 transactions per second with near-zero gas fees, X Layer is fully compatible with Ethereum, making it a prime candidate for cross-chain interoperability.
This migration integrates deeply with core OKX services such as OKX Wallet, OKX Exchange, and OKX Pay, ensuring that users experience seamless transitions between trading, payments, and decentralized applications.
🧨 OKTChain shutdown and ecosystem upgrades
The overhaul also includes the retirement of OKTChain, with all OKT tokens scheduled for automatic conversion to OKB by August 15, 2025. Holders are encouraged to bridge to X Layer, and OKT deposits will remain supported until January 1, 2026, providing a structured transition window.
To support the migration, OKX has rolled out upgraded bridges, enhanced oracle systems, compliance modules, and a newly established ecosystem growth fund. These developments are designed to attract new developers, foster partnerships, and stimulate adoption across multiple DeFi sectors.
🌍 Market positioning and competitive edge
By consolidating its ecosystem under a single high-utility token, OKX positions OKB as both the exclusive gas token for X Layer and the centerpiece of its governance and DeFi integrations.
This move puts OKB in direct competition with other Layer 2 ecosystem tokens but with the advantage of a massive pre-existing exchange user base, multi-product integration, and the credibility of an established brand.
Industry analysts have noted that such comprehensive overhauls, when paired with significant supply burns, have historically preceded extended bullish periods in the crypto market.
📈 Bullish sentiment and long-term vision
The immediate market reaction to the tokenomics overhaul reflects strong investor confidence in OKX’s long term strategy. With reduced supply, enhanced scalability, and expanded interoperability, OKB now has a stronger foundation to serve as a cross-chain settlement asset and governance tool.
The introduction of zkEVM technology also places OKX in a favorable position to attract institutional DeFi players seeking high-speed, low-cost infrastructure without sacrificing Ethereum compatibility.
While short term volatility is inevitable, the structural improvements suggest that OKB’s role within the evolving blockchain economy is only beginning to expand.
