POL (ex-MATIC)

POL is the native asset of the Polygon network, formerly known as MATIC. The rebranding reflects a broader architectural shift from a single sidechain to an aggregated ecosystem of Layer-2 chains, many of which rely on zero-knowledge proofs for scalability and security.

Polygon positions itself as a hub for Ethereum scaling, offering multiple execution environments. POL serves as the gas token and staking asset across this expanding suite of networks.

Polygon's architecture now centres on a modular framework that allows developers to launch sovereign chains while sharing liquidity and security through a common aggregation layer. Zero-knowledge rollups bundle transactions off-chain and submit succinct validity proofs to Ethereum, reducing costs and congestion.

POL is used to pay transaction fees across connected chains and to participate in network security through staking.

The circulating supply and total supply both stand at 10,710,035,863 POL, indicating no locked or unvested tokens waiting to enter the market at present. There is no fixed maximum supply, meaning new tokens can be minted through staking rewards and validator incentives on an ongoing basis.

This emission model funds network security and growth but introduces continuous sell-side pressure. The absence of a hard cap means token holders rely on governance and protocol-level decisions to manage the inflation rate over time.

Polygon's main differentiator is its aggregation approach, which aims to unify disparate L2 chains under a single staking and liquidity layer. Rather than betting on one rollup technology, it offers a suite of ZK solutions.

This breadth gives developers flexibility and reduces the risk of backing a single scaling solution that may lose traction.

Polygon is not a single chain but a network of chains, using POL as the common thread for security, fees and governance across an expanding L2 landscape.