Polygon (POL) is a powerful blockchain ecosystem designed to make Web3 faster, cheaper, and more accessible for everyone. It began as a solution to Ethereum’s high fees and slow transaction speeds, and has since grown into a full suite of scaling tools and blockchains. Polygon helps developers build and launch decentralized apps (dApps) that are fast, secure, and low-cost, without leaving the Ethereum ecosystem.

Polygon’s network includes multiple chains, such as the Polygon PoS (Proof of Stake) chain, which is widely used for DeFi, NFTs, and gaming. It offers quick transaction times and low gas fees, while remaining compatible with Ethereum. It’s one of the most popular Ethereum scaling solutions, already used by major brands like Reddit, Meta, Nike, and Starbucks.

In 2024, Polygon began transitioning to Polygon 2.0, a major upgrade that introduces a new token called POL, replacing the older MATIC token. POL will be used to secure and govern all Polygon chains, allowing validators to support multiple chains at once using a new concept called re-staking. This helps create a unified and scalable network.

A key part of Polygon 2.0 is the AggLayer, short for Aggregation Layer. This is an advanced technology that connects chains together, allowing them to share liquidity and communicate seamlessly. It uses zero-knowledge (zk) proofs to ensure fast and secure cross-chain activity — all without the need for traditional bridges.

Polygon also offers a zkEVM chain, which uses cutting-edge zero-knowledge rollup technology to scale Ethereum even further. Developers can build on zkEVM just like they do on Ethereum, but with lower fees and faster speeds. There’s also the Polygon CDK (Chain Development Kit), a toolkit that lets teams launch their own custom zk-powered blockchains that automatically connect to the Polygon ecosystem.

Polygon’s long-term vision is to become the Value Layer of the Internet — the base infrastructure for exchanging value online, just like how the internet became the base for sharing information. With POL as the core token, AggLayer for unified liquidity, and a network of fast, Ethereum-compatible chains, Polygon is building the foundation for the next generation of Web3 apps and services.