Injective adds native EVM to core blockchain protocol

Injective’s latest upgrade transforms its blockchain into a dual-execution environment, where Ethereum-based applications can run directly on-chain alongside its existing Cosmos-native dApps.

In a statement dated Nov. 11, layer-1 blockchain Injective announced the successful deployment of its native Ethereum Virtual Machine, a core protocol upgrade that fundamentally expands its execution capabilities.

This architectural shift moves beyond simple compatibility, embedding an EVM directly into its state machine and enabling the chain to process Ethereum-native smart contracts and Cosmos-based WebAssembly applications in a single, synchronized environment. The rollout is accompanied by over 30 dApps and infrastructure providers going live on the network from day one, according to the statement.

Injective’s EVM upgrade tackles blockchain frictions

Injective’s architectural shift is designed to tackle several persistent issues in decentralized finance. The platform addresses industry fragmentation by enabling applications running on different virtual machines to interact seamlessly on a shared liquidity layer. This eliminates the need for complex bridging operations that have often introduced risk and friction for users moving assets between ecosystems.

For developers, the environment offers familiar Ethereum tooling like Hardhat and Foundry, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for teams already skilled in Solidity. This is coupled with what Injective calls its “plug-and-play” financial modules, which provide pre-built components for complex functions like derivatives trading.

At the same time, the network’s shared central limit order book module provides new applications with immediate access to deep, MEV-resistant liquidity from their inception, aiming to solve the notorious “cold start” problem that has stifled many nascent DeFi projects.

Injective’s universal MultiVM Token Standard (MTS) further strengthens the ecosystem by providing a consistent token representation across all dApps. Users no longer face confusion from duplicate token versions or manual bridging, and complex operations execute atomically, preserving both funds and data integrity.

For end users, the practical outcome is access to a broader suite of financial applications without leaving the Injective chain. The statement points to new capabilities, including lending and borrowing markets, tokenized real-world assets, and advanced derivatives, all operating with the network’s characteristic sub-second finality and transaction fees that amount to a fraction of a cent.