Quick facts
| Ticker | POL (ex-MATIC) |
| Role | Native token of the Polygon ecosystem; used for gas (on Polygon PoS) and staking across Polygon chains. |
| Initial supply | ~10 billion POL at launch. |
| Emissions (proposed/governed) | Up to ~2% yearly (1% validator rewards, 1% community treasury), following completion of the legacy MATIC rewards schedule and subject to on-chain governance. |
| Migration ratio | 1:1 from MATIC to POL. |
What POL is (and how it differs from MATIC)
POL is Polygon’s upgraded native token. It replaces MATIC across the Polygon ecosystem, including Polygon PoS, and is designed to secure many Polygon chains under the Polygon 2.0 roadmap. You use it to pay gas on Polygon PoS and to stake for network security.
POL vs. MATIC at a glance
| Feature | MATIC (legacy) | POL (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem role | Gas/staking for Polygon PoS | Gas on Polygon PoS + staking and coordination across multiple Polygon chains |
| Upgrade path | Upgraded 1:1 to POL | Active token with expanded utilities |
| Token economics | Legacy schedule for validator rewards | Governed emissions (~2%/yr proposed) split between validators and a community treasury after legacy schedule ends |
How POL works on Polygon 2.0
Polygon 2.0 aims to connect many chains—secured by zero-knowledge tech—under one aggregated experience (“AggLayer”). POL underpins this by letting validators help secure multiple Polygon chains and earn rewards for doing so, aligning incentives across the network.
What you can do with POL today
- Use POL as gas on Polygon PoS (transactions and dApp activity).
- Stake POL to help secure the network and earn rewards, according to the emissions framework governed by the community.
Supply & emissions
POL launched with an initial supply of roughly 10 billion. After the legacy MATIC validator reward schedule concludes, POL emissions are designed—via governance—to provide predictable rewards and fund ecosystem growth, with a widely referenced framework of ~2% per year split between validators (1%) and a community treasury (1%).
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial supply | ~10B POL at launch |
| Post-legacy emissions (governed) | ~2%/yr: ~1% validator rewards, ~1% community treasury |
| Distribution mechanism | Staking rewards + treasury grants under the Polygon governance framework |
MATIC → POL migration
The migration is a 1:1 upgrade from MATIC to POL. Polygon announced that Polygon PoS uses POL as the native gas token, and the upgrade infrastructure is live. As of early September 2025, Polygon reports the migration is ~99% complete.
Wallet types (and the safest option)
You can hold POL in different kinds of wallets. For an overview:
| Wallet type | How it works | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Custodial (exchange account) | A third party holds keys; easiest to get started | You value convenience and don’t want to manage keys |
| Software non-custodial | You hold the keys via a mobile/desktop app | You want control and quick access to dApps |
| Hardware wallet (safest) | Keys stored offline on a physical device; best protection against online compromise | You prioritize security for long-term holdings |
Where to get POL
You buy POL on cryptocurrency exchanges. Many leading platforms support POL pairs and balances following the migration.
Ecosystem and what you can do with POL
Polygon hosts tens of thousands of dApps spanning gaming, DeFi, NFTs, and consumer apps. With POL, you can interact with those applications on Polygon PoS and—if you choose—stake to help secure the broader Polygon network.
How to track POL on-chain and in markets
You don’t need advanced tools to stay informed. With a few reputable dashboards and explorers, you can monitor POL’s activity, follow market data, and keep tabs on staking and ecosystem usage—all without getting lost in jargon.
Where to look (and why)
| Task | Go here | What you’ll learn |
|---|---|---|
| Check price, volume, and market cap | Market data aggregators (e.g., “POL” page) | Current quotes, 24h/7d moves, liquidity depth, and exchange listings |
| Verify token contract & holdings | Block explorers (Polygonscan/Etherscan) | Official contract page, top holders, transfers, and smart contract metadata |
| Gauge on-chain usage | Explorer dashboards and analytics sites | Active addresses, transaction counts, gas usage, and app-level activity |
| Follow staking and validator metrics | Polygon staking pages / community dashboards | Validator sets, staking participation, and reward parameters |
| Track grants and ecosystem growth | Community treasury / governance portals | Funding initiatives, proposals, and roadmap discussions |
Key metrics to watch
| Metric | What it tells you | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 24h Volume | How actively POL is being traded across exchanges | Higher volume generally means tighter spreads and easier execution |
| Market Depth | Liquidity available near current prices | Helps you assess potential slippage for larger orders |
| Active Addresses | Number of unique addresses transacting in a period | A simple proxy for user engagement on Polygon PoS |
| Gas Usage & Fees | Cost to perform transactions on Polygon PoS | Signals network demand and can influence app activity |
| Staking Participation | Share of POL staked vs. circulating | Indicates security incentives and long-term holder commitment |
Quick FAQs
Is POL the same as MATIC?
POL is the upgraded token replacing MATIC in the Polygon ecosystem. There’s a 1:1 migration path, and Polygon PoS now uses POL for gas.
Why did Polygon introduce POL?
To coordinate and secure many Polygon chains (the Polygon 2.0 vision), including an aggregation layer that connects them. POL is built to support this multi-chain architecture and validator model.
How are new POL tokens issued?
After the legacy MATIC reward schedule, governance steers emissions—commonly cited at ~2% yearly—split between validator rewards and a community treasury to fund builders.
Do I need to learn how to send or receive POL?
No detailed steps are necessary here; those processes work like other Ethereum-compatible assets in supported wallets.
