Precio de hoy de POL

Polygon: The Smart Investor’s Gateway to Scalable Blockchain Growth 

For investors seeking the next big opportunity in blockchain technology, Polygon presents a compelling case. 

Polygon is a Layer 2 scaling solution designed to enhance Ethereum's transaction speed and reduce costs. It aims to provide faster, cheaper transactions without sacrificing Ethereum's security.  

This project empowers developers to build scalable decentralized applications. In doing so, it effectively transforms Ethereum into a multi-chain system similar to networks like Polkadot, Cosmos, and Avalanche. 

These initiatives are targeted to aid in enabling the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies. It makes Polygon a strategic investment in the future of decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3. 

What Is Polygon? 

Previously known as Matic Network, Polygon is a well-structured platform designed for Ethereum scaling and infrastructure development.  

The project seeks to merge the best features of independent blockchains. It also aims to leverage Ethereum's robust security, vibrant ecosystem, and open nature. 

By doing so, Polygon effectively transforms Ethereum into a comprehensive multi-chain system, allowing blockchains and dApps to tailor scaling solutions to their specific requirements. 

Key Features of Polygon 

1. Scalability: Aims to provide a scalable solution to Ethereum's high gas fees and slow transaction times. 
2. Faster and cheaper transactions on Ethereum using Layer 2 sidechains. 
3. Polygon SDK: modular, flexible framework, and provides faster and cheaper transactions on Ethereum using Layer 2 sidechains. 
4. Can create optimistic rollup chains, ZK rollup chains, and stand-alone chains. 
5. High transaction speed (up to 65,000 transactions per second on a single sidechain), but may vary with different sources. 
6. Low block confirmation time (less than two seconds). 

Use Cases of Polygon 

Polygon's architecture and features make it versatile for various applications. It can house an unlimited number of decentralized applications (dApps).  

Within its ecosystem, it serves as a payment service and settlement currency.  

Polygon facilitates the creation and operation of globally accessible decentralized financial applications (DeFi).  

Additionally, the network supports fees, staking, and governance activities through its native token, enabling the development of Web3 games and offering tokenization use cases.  

Polygon is also used to enable NFT trading.  

It offers low transaction fees for buying or selling NFTs and it supports popular NFT marketplaces, like OpenSea.  

Polygon’s scalability solutions make it ideal for supply chain applications as they require low transaction costs and high throughput to enable efficient tracking and verification of goods. 

History 

1. 2017: Polygon was originally launched as Matic Network by software engineers Jaynti Kanani, Sandeep Nailwal, Anurag Arjun. 
2. 2019: MATIC was launched with the IEO (Initial Exchange Offering) on the cryptocurrency exchange Binance. 
3. May 2020: The Matic mainnet officially went live. 
4. February 2021: Matic Network rebranded as Polygon, the first well-structured, easy-to-use platform for Ethereum scaling and infrastructure development. 
5. August 2021: Polygon merges with zk-rollup platform Hermez Network. 
6. February 2022: Polygon raises $450 million in a new venture financing round. 
7. Late 2022: Introduced Polygon Supernets, enabling the transfer of tokens between different platforms. 
8. 2023: Polygon announced the release of Polygon 2.0 which includes a series of upgrades designed to make Polygon's various products more coherent. 
9. October 25, 2023: Polygon Labs launched the Ethereum contract for the new Polygon token, POL. 
10. September 4, 2024: The original Polygon token, MATIC migrated to POL. 

How Polygon Works 

1. Transaction Process 

Polygon handles transactions by offloading them from the main Ethereum blockchain onto its own sidechains.  

This approach utilizes Layer 2 scaling solutions, enabling the network to achieve faster and more affordable transactions.  

By processing transactions on these sidechains, Polygon alleviates congestion on the Ethereum mainnet, significantly improving transaction speeds and reducing gas fees for users. 

1. Wallets and Private Keys 

Users can access MATIC (now known as POL) on the Polygon Mainnet by connecting to a wallet, such as MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Ledger.  

Connecting to the Polygon network via MetaMask can be done manually by adding the network details.  

Alternatively, platforms like ChainList and Polygonscan can be used to automatically configure the wallet. 

These wallets ensure the secure storage of private keys. This enables users to manage their MATIC/POL tokens as well as to send and receive assets.  

It also allows them to interact with decentralized applications within the Polygon ecosystem. 

1. Security Features 

Polygon benefits from the underlying security and decentralization of the Ethereum network.  

To secure its operations, Polygon uses a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. 

Validators stake MATIC/POL tokens to participate in transaction validation and block creation. 

By staking their tokens, validators help secure the network and are rewarded with passive income.  

This consensus mechanism enables secure transaction verification while reducing reliance on resource-intensive Proof of Work (PoW) methods. 

The Impact of Polygon 

Polygon's impact spans both the broader global economy and the crypto ecosystem.  

It fosters the increased use of cryptocurrencies by offering quicker, more affordable transactions.  

This also facilitates the creation of applications designed to establish the "Value Layer of the Internet". 

Furthermore, it connects and expands Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks, enhancing interoperability within the blockchain space.  

Polygon's Layer 2 scaling solutions improve the user experience on the Ethereum blockchain, addressing key issues such as high gas fees and network congestion.  

Its architecture supports a multi-chain Ethereum ecosystem by seamlessly integrating with other blockchains.  

This ensures interoperability for developers who aim to build flexible applications across diverse blockchain environments. 

As of May 17, 2024, transactions on the Polygon network have reached 4 billion. This demonstrates its broadening acceptance among developers and corporate entities. 

Key Aspects of Polygon’s Tokenomics 

1. Total and Circulating Supply 

Its September 4, 2024 token migration is a strategic move aligned with Polygon's evolution into a ZK (zero-knowledge) chain and its integration with AggLayer. 

POL will maintain the tokenomics of MATIC, including the same total supply of 10 billion tokens.  

Functioning as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain, MATIC/POL ensures compatibility and accessibility within the Ethereum ecosystem.  

Importantly, holders of MATIC on the Polygon PoS chain won't need to take any action as the upgrade to POL will happen automatically.  

Meanwhile, users holding MATIC on Ethereum can facilitate the upgrade through the Polygon Portal interface, ensuring a smooth transition to the new POL token.  

Even after the name change, bitFlyer will continue to support the Ethereum-based MATIC. 

1. Issuance Schedule 

POL has replaced MATIC as the native gas token for the Polygon PoS network. 

It is used for fees, staking, and governance.  

The migration from MATIC to POL brings tokenomic changes, including a new emission rate of 2% annually.  

This emission is divided, with part of the supply allocated to validators on Polygon PoS for rewards, and the other part directed to the community treasury.  

The community treasury functions as a self-sustainable ecosystem fund supporting various activities, including grants programs.  

This emission helps decentralize the network by incentivizing people to run a decentralized group or a decentralized prover.  

A portion of POL emissions can be used to decentralize their network, and then POL holders will receive fees from that network.  

After migration, the token distribution will mirror that of MATIC, guaranteeing it is widely distributed from the outset and ensuring a seamless, complete migration.  

The current MATIC rewards schedule is set to last until June 2025, and MATIC will continue to be paid out in gradually decreasing amounts to fulfill the network’s original commitments. 

1. Consensus Protocol Process 

Polygon PoS employs a hybrid approach, leveraging Ethereum's security with the scalability of Proof of Stake (PoS) networks.  

It utilizes a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus algorithm called Proof-of-Stake Checkpointing.  

This ensures decentralization through a process where selected validators propose and vote on checkpoints, periodically anchored to the Ethereum mainnet. 

This PoS mechanism enhances scalability with faster block confirmations and higher transaction throughput.  

The network comprises Heimdall, the consensus layer, which uses PoS for fast block times.  

Bor, the execution layer, employs a modified Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus for security and efficiency. 

Validators, chosen based on their stake, participate in block production and transaction validation, earning rewards for their contributions.  

Staking MATIC/POL allows users to participate in the PoS mechanism and earn rewards. 

1. Utility and Adoption 

Beyond gas fees, POL is used for staking, governance, and enhancing ecosystem security.  

Users can validate multiple chains, stake tokens to earn protocol rewards, and participate in network decision-making.  

POL supports infinite scalability and establishes a sustainable, in-protocol mechanism for ongoing development and growth. These activities are all governed by the Polygon community. 

Not that even after the name change, bitFlyer will continue to support the Ethereum-based MATIC. 

Current Trends and Future Outlook 

Polygon's increasing adoption as a scaling solution is driving demand for POL.  

The successful migration to POL could hopefully reverse current trends, which saw it shoot past USD0.70 in December 2024 from a little below USD0.40 in September 2024. 

It has since declined however to a little below USD0.30 during February 2025. 

With the number of POL holders in profit at staggering lows, a shift in market behavior could discourage selling, leading to a gradual asset recovery.  

As a Layer-2 solution, Polygon addresses Ethereum's challenges by increasing throughput and reducing transaction costs, which has led to increased adoption and development. 

Technological advancements, such as ZK roll-ups and Optimistic roll-ups, will enhance Polygon's scaling capabilities, reduce transaction costs, and attract more developers and users.  

It will continue developing its core technology to scale its ecosystem but faces competition from platforms like Arbitrum and Optimism.  

The evolution of Ethereum 2.0 could also impact Polygon, as its ability to solve its own scalability issues might decrease the need for third-party solutions like Polygon. 

Conclusion 

Polygon significantly improves Ethereum's scalability and user experience through faster transactions and reduced fees. It envisions blockchain interoperability, aiming to transform Ethereum into a multi-chain ecosystem by connecting various EVM-compatible blockchains.  

With ongoing advancements and increasing adoption, Polygon shows substantial potential for future growth, driven by its successful scaling solutions and the MATIC to POL migration. 

FAQs  

1. What is Polygon? 

Polygon is a Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that enables the creation of Ethereum-compatible blockchains, transforming Ethereum into a multi-chain system. 

2. What is MATIC/POL? 

MATIC (now migrated to POL) is the native cryptocurrency of the Polygon network, used for gas fees, staking, and governance. 

3. How does Polygon work?  

Polygon functions as a Layer-2 scaling solution and employs a Proof of Stake (PoS) system of validators to ensure asset security.  

Validators stake their MATIC/POL tokens to participate in the PoS consensus mechanism, earning MATIC/POL tokens in return. 

4. Is Polygon safe?  

Polygon transactions ultimately depend on the Ethereum blockchain for final verification, so activity on the Polygon network benefits from many of Ethereum's security measures. 

5. What is Layer 2?  

Layer-2 is a secondary framework or protocol built on top of an existing blockchain system to solve transaction speed and scaling difficulties. 

6. How do I get POL?  

POL may be acquired by purchasing it on exchanges, and small quantities may be received by using a Polygon faucet. 

7. Do I get a new Polygon wallet address?  

No, your Polygon wallet address will be the same as the address that you use for your Ethereum mainnet wallet. 

8. Can tokens on the Polygon Network be transferred to Ethereum? 

Yes, to move assets from the Polygon Network to Ethereum mainnet, use the Polygon Bridge. 

9. Can I use ETH to pay for transactions on Polygon? 

No, all transactions on the Polygon Network require MATIC/POL to pay the gas fees.