INTMAX Protocol
INTMAX Protocol is a stateless Layer 2 solution for Ethereum, designed to provide private, high-throughput, and ultra-low-cost payments. Developed by Ryodan Systems AG, it aims to overcome the limitations of previous scaling solutions like Plasma by minimizing on-chain data and leveraging zero-knowledge proofs to ensure transaction confidentiality and efficiency [1] [2].
Overview
INTMAX Protocol is a next-generation solution built to enhance the Ethereum blockchain's payment capabilities. It focuses on delivering efficient and private transactions by adopting a unique stateless architecture. This design allows the protocol to process transactions without storing extensive user data directly on the Ethereum mainnet, which contributes to near-instant finality and significantly reduced transaction fees, even during periods of high network congestion [1] [2].
The protocol's development by Ryodan Systems AG represents an effort to realize the original vision of Plasma, a scaling concept first introduced in 2017. While Plasma faced technical challenges that hindered its widespread adoption, INTMAX claims to have overcome these limitations, making it the first protocol to practically implement Plasma's core principles. This approach emphasizes a lightweight, secure, and decentralized design, distinguishing it from other Layer 2 solutions that primarily rely on data compression and off-chain execution for scalability [1].
History
INTMAX Protocol has undergone several key development milestones leading to its mainnet launch. The project's testnet was launched in December 2024, allowing users to experience its core functionalities, including scalability for billions of users, transaction fees consistently under 0.5 cents, and privacy-first transactions [3].
The official mainnet launch of INTMAX Protocol occurred on June 26, 2025. This launch marked a significant step in making private, high-throughput payments accessible on Ethereum. The mainnet deployment introduced features like Privacy Mining and the dual-nature ITX token, aiming to redefine Layer 2 solutions by focusing on minimal on-chain data and enhanced privacy [4] [1].
Products
INTMAX Protocol offers a payment layer designed for private and cost-effective Ethereum transactions. Its product ecosystem is built around enhancing user experience and expanding the utility of its underlying technology.
Key products include:
- INTMAX Protocol: The core stateless Layer 2 protocol for Ethereum, enabling scalable, private, and low-cost asset transfers [2].
- INTMAX Wallet: A mobile wallet designed for enhanced security and user experience, incorporating advanced cryptographic technologies like Multi-Party Computation (MPC) and Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE). It also features "Link Transfer" for simplified crypto transactions [2].
- Privacy Mining: A novel incentive mechanism that rewards users with ITX tokens for contributing to the network's anonymity by participating in private transactions [5].
- Payless: A streamlined solution aimed at facilitating frictionless crypto payments between customers and merchants, designed for secure, near-instant transactions [2].
Features
Key features of INTMAX Protocol include:
- Minimal On-Chain Data: Transactions require approximately 5 bytes of on-chain data per transaction, ensuring ultra-low costs even under heavy network congestion [1].
- Privacy-Preserving: Leveraging zero-knowledge proofs, INTMAX ensures that sensitive data such as transaction history or account balances never appear on-chain, providing built-in privacy and confidential transfers [2].
- High Throughput: The stateless Layer 2 design enables near-instant transaction finality and high scalability, capable of supporting billions of users [2] [3].
- Bulk Transfers: The protocol supports sending payments to up to 63 addresses simultaneously, enhancing efficiency for various applications [2].
- Ethereum Security: Transactions on INTMAX remain fully secured by the underlying Ethereum blockchain [1].
- Privacy Mining Rewards: Users can earn ITX tokens by contributing to network anonymity through Privacy Mining, creating a synergy between privacy and incentives [5].
Architecture
The architecture of INTMAX Protocol is built upon an upgraded version of the Plasma framework, combined with Client-Side Validation and Zero-Knowledge proofs. This combination aims to provide a "perfected Plasma-like solution" for scalable and private transactions on Ethereum [1] [2].
Unlike most Layer 2 solutions that rely on compression and off-chain execution, INTMAX adopts a fundamentally different approach by minimizing on-chain data to approximately 5 bytes per transaction. This stateless design means the chain does not verify Zero-Knowledge SNARKs until the final withdrawal, contributing to its efficiency. The protocol identifies user accounts with short integers and utilizes an interactive protocol between the publisher and sender to achieve efficient nullifier sizes [2]. This architecture has been mathematically verified and has received endorsements from prominent Ethereum core researchers, including Vitalik Buterin and Justin Drake [1].
Tokenomics
The tokenomics of INTMAX Protocol revolve around the ITX token, which serves as the native utility and reward token for the Layer 2 network.
Utilities
The ITX token is designed to incentivize privacy-preserving behavior within the INTMAX ecosystem. Users can earn ITX tokens by participating in Privacy Mining, a mechanism that rewards contributions to network anonymity. This creates an economic model where users are compensated for enhancing the privacy of the network. The ITX token exists in two forms: a Layer 2 native asset for fast, private, real-world payments, and a standard ERC-20 token on Layer 1, ensuring compatibility with existing DeFi platforms and exchanges. This dual nature allows Ethereum-based capital to access privacy and performance benefits without leaving the broader ecosystem [6] [1].
Governance
Details regarding the governance model for the INTMAX Protocol, including token allocation and community participation mechanisms, are expected to be established to support the healthy growth of its decentralized ecosystem [7].
Use Cases
Potential use cases for INTMAX Protocol leverage its core strengths of privacy, scalability, and low transaction costs:
- Private and Low-Cost Ethereum Transactions: Facilitating everyday payments, remittances, and cross-border settlements where user financial privacy is paramount and high gas fees are a barrier [1].
- Efficient Bulk Payments: Enabling applications that require sending payments to multiple recipients simultaneously, such as payroll processing or large-scale distributions, due to its capability for bulk transfers [2].
- Decentralized Applications (dApps): Supporting dApps that require scalable and private payment solutions, allowing developers to build innovative applications that prioritize user data protection and transaction efficiency [2].
Team
INTMAX Protocol is developed by Ryodan Systems AG, a company based in Zug, Switzerland [1]. The co-founders of INTMAX are Leona Hioki and Mai Fujimoto [1].
Leona Hioki has expressed satisfaction in bringing the protocol to the world after a significant technical struggle, highlighting the team's dedication to achieving both privacy and near O(1) scaling [1]. Mai Fujimoto emphasized the belief that blockchain should be freely accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy, and that privacy is crucial for self-protection and financial freedom [1].
Endorsements and Media Coverage
INTMAX Protocol has received endorsements from notable figures within the Ethereum community and has been covered by various media outlets.
Endorsements
- Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has commented on INTMAX, stating, "Another class of constructions is hybrid plasma/rollups, such as Intmax. These constructions put a very small amount of data per user on-chain (e.g. 5 bytes), and by doing so, get properties that are somewhere between plasma and rollups" [1].
- Justin Drake, from the Ethereum Foundation, noted, "So, in some sense, Intmax is even more efficient than ZKRollup… One of the really cool things is that the chain is actually not verifying SNARKs until the very end when you withdraw" [1].
- Anthony Sassano, Founder of The Daily Gwei, expressed excitement about INTMAX's rollup-plasma hybrid design and its potential for novel applications [2].
- Denisa Diaconescu, Consensus Research Engineer, praised INTMAX as an "extremely beautiful" scaling solution for Ethereum, highlighting its stateless and permissionless nature and its reliance on Layer 1 consensus [2].
Media Coverage
INTMAX Protocol's mainnet launch and technological advancements have been covered by several prominent cryptocurrency news outlets, including:
Ecosystem
The INTMAX Protocol ecosystem encompasses its core technology, associated products, and various communication and community platforms designed to foster engagement and development.
Key components of the ecosystem include:
- Official Website: Provides comprehensive information about the protocol, its features, and vision [2].
- Mainnet Application: The primary interface for users to interact with the INTMAX network, including features like Privacy Mining, bridging assets, and sending transactions [10].
- Explorer: A tool for viewing transactions and network activity on the INTMAX chain [11].
- Developer Hub: Offers documentation and resources for developers interested in building on INTMAX [12].
- Community Channels: INTMAX maintains an active presence on social media and messaging platforms to connect with its community and provide updates: