NEM (XEM) is the native asset of NIS1, the original NEM blockchain launched in 2015. NIS1 uses Proof of Importance (PoI), a harvesting system that considers vested XEM and transaction-graph activity when determining block-harvesting importance. XEM is distinct from XYM, the native asset of the separate Symbol blockchain.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticker | XEM |
| Price | $0.0003103 |
| Market Cap | $2.793M |
| 24-Hour Change | 3.2% |
CoinGecko market snapshot captured 2026-10-24 at 09:38 UTC. Price, market capitalization, and 24-hour change refresh through the live market fields; values can change.
Proof of Importance
NIS1 calls block creation harvesting. Its PoI design assigns importance using account balance and network activity rather than relying only on the amount held. The NEM technical reference describes a 10,000 vested-XEM threshold for entering its importance calculation. This is a protocol rule in the documented NIS1 design, not a statement that ordinary XEM holders automatically earn a return.
NIS1 and Symbol
NIS1 and Symbol are separate blockchain networks with different native assets and consensus rules. Symbol launched in 2021; its migration guidance describes a historical opt-in under which eligible XEM holders could claim XYM. That launch distribution did not rename XEM to XYM, and the tickers should not be treated as interchangeable when identifying a network or sending assets.
Tokenomics
The NEM technical reference gives XEM a fixed maximum of 8,999,999,999 and describes the supply as non-mutable. In the 09:38 UTC CoinGecko snapshot above, circulating and total supply are rounded to 9 billion XEM. This entry concerns NIS1 XEM; Symbol’s XYM has its own issuance history and is not included in this market snapshot.
Related Terms
See Also
- How Do Crypto Bridges Work — and Why Are They Such a Hack Target?
- What Is Crypto Tokenomics?
- Are Layer 2 Networks Actually Decentralized?
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Sources
- NEM Technical Reference — The protocol reference describes Proof of Importance, vested-XEM eligibility, and NIS1’s fixed XEM supply.
- Symbol Documentation: Historical XYM Opt-In — Symbol’s guide explains the separate network and the historical process for eligible XEM holders to retrieve XYM.
- NEM (XEM) — CoinGecko — CoinGecko provides the XEM market listing and the supply figures used for this dated snapshot.