The long-anticipated upgrade has officially arrived: MATIC has transitioned to POL across the Polygon network. As of today, every transaction on Polygon PoS is powered by POL, the newly designated native gas and staking token. This marks a pivotal evolution in Polygon’s journey toward becoming a unified, scalable, and future-ready blockchain ecosystem.
For users holding MATIC on Ethereum, a seamless 1:1 migration path is available through the Polygon Portal. This upgrade isn’t just a token swap—it’s a foundational shift aligned with Polygon’s broader vision of an aggregated Web3 future.
👉 Discover how POL powers the next era of decentralized networks.
The Bigger Picture: Polygon’s Evolution into an Aggregated Network
Polygon is no longer just a single-chain solution. It's evolving into an aggregated blockchain network via the AggLayer, a groundbreaking framework designed to unify liquidity, security, and state across multiple chains. This means dApps, assets, and users across different blockchains can interact as if they were on one cohesive network.
In this new architecture, POL plays a central role. Subject to community consensus, Polygon PoS will eventually integrate with the AggLayer as a ZK-powered chain—bringing POL into a broader, interconnected ecosystem where it secures, governs, and fuels growth.
This migration sets the stage for POL to become a hyperproductive utility token, extending far beyond gas payments or staking on a single chain. Think of it as the engine driving Polygon’s multi-chain future—one where value, security, and innovation flow freely.
What Does POL Mean for the Future of Polygon?
POL isn’t just a rebrand—it's a reimagining of what a utility token can do in a decentralized, multi-layered blockchain world.
Phase 1: Native Token for Polygon PoS
Right now, POL has replaced MATIC as the native token for:
- Gas fees: All transactions on Polygon PoS now require POL.
- Staking: Validators and delegators must use POL to participate in network security.
This transition ensures continuity while laying the groundwork for future enhancements.
Future Phases: Expanding Utility Across AggLayer
As the AggLayer rolls out, POL is expected to take on expanded roles, including:
- Securing interconnected chains within the aggregated network.
- Participating in cross-chain staking and liquidity provision.
- Enabling governance participation across Polygon’s growing ecosystem.
A staking hub is planned for 2025, which could further amplify POL’s utility and economic significance across the network.
Key Features of the POL Migration
To ensure a smooth and inclusive transition, the migration was designed with key principles in mind:
✅ Backwards Compatibility
Existing applications, smart contracts, wallets, and user experiences remain fully functional. No breaking changes mean developers and users can continue operating without disruption.
Validators, delegates, and dApps automatically recognize POL as the new native token—no redeployment or code changes required.
✅ 1:1 Token Swap with Enhanced Tokenomics
The initial conversion ratio is 1 MATIC = 1 POL, preserving user balances exactly.
However, there's a strategic shift in token emissions:
A 2% emission over ten years (0.2% annually) will support long-term network security and ecosystem development.
- 50% goes to the Polygon PoS staking contract—rewarding validators and securing the network.
- 50% funds the Community Treasury, managed by an independent board accountable to the community.
These funds will support developer grants, infrastructure projects, and community-driven initiatives—ensuring sustainable growth.
👉 Learn how next-gen tokenomics are shaping Web3 ecosystems.
✅ Community Governance at the Core
Every major decision—including emission models, treasury allocations, and future upgrades—is subject to community consensus. This decentralized governance model empowers stakeholders to shape Polygon’s trajectory.
You can explore more about POL’s design and long-term vision in the official introduction post.
What You Need to Do Now
Your next steps depend on where you hold your tokens.
🔹 If You Hold MATIC on Polygon PoS
- No action is required for your funds—they’ve been automatically upgraded to POL.
However, you may need to update the token symbol in your wallet settings.
- If not updated, your wallet might still display “MATIC” instead of “POL.”
- Follow the official guide to update your wallet’s network configuration.
🔹 If You Hold MATIC on Ethereum
- You must manually migrate your tokens using the Polygon Portal.
- Visit: https://portal.polygon.technology/pol-upgrade
- The process is simple, secure, and executed at a 1:1 ratio.
Note: Once migrated, your MATIC becomes POL and can be used across Polygon’s ecosystem.
🔹 For Developers and Service Providers
Oracles, DeFi protocols, wallet teams, bridge operators, RPC providers, and other infrastructure builders should review technical specifications and integration requirements.
A comprehensive FAQ is available for teams needing to update systems: Migration FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is POL a new token or just a rebranded MATIC?
A: POL replaces MATIC as the native token of Polygon PoS. While functionally equivalent at launch (1:1 swap), POL is designed with expanded future utility across the AggLayer ecosystem.
Q: Do I lose my tokens during the migration?
A: No. Your balance remains intact. For Polygon PoS holders, the upgrade is automatic. For Ethereum-based MATIC holders, migration preserves full value at 1:1.
Q: Why introduce emissions for POL when MATIC was non-inflationary?
A: The limited 2% emission over ten years supports ongoing network security and community development. It's a sustainable model designed to fund growth without devaluing holdings significantly.
Q: Can I still use my existing dApps after the migration?
A: Yes. All decentralized applications on Polygon PoS continue to operate normally. They now accept POL as gas instead of MATIC.
Q: Will POL be used outside of Polygon PoS?
A: Yes—subject to community approval, POL will play key roles in AggLayer-connected chains, enabling cross-chain security, staking, and governance.
Q: How does this affect staking rewards?
A: Staking rewards will now be paid in POL. Existing stakers retain their positions; only the token name changes.
The Road Ahead: A Unified Web3 Powered by POL
As Polygon advances toward its vision of an aggregated blockchain future, POL stands at the heart of this transformation. It's more than a token—it's a vehicle for decentralization, innovation, and shared ownership.
With backward compatibility ensuring stability, enhanced tokenomics fueling growth, and community governance guiding evolution, Polygon is building a resilient foundation for mass adoption.
Whether you're a user, builder, or investor, now is the time to engage with the new era of Polygon—one powered by POL, unified by AggLayer, and driven by community consensus.
👉 See how leading blockchains are redefining digital value with next-generation tokens.
The future of Web3 isn’t fragmented—it’s aggregated. And it runs on POL.