The Polygon Network (formerly The Matic Network) is a Layer 2 scaling solution designed to optimise the Ethereum blockchain. As the decentralised finance ecosystem has blossomed on Ethereum, the network has been affected by slow and expensive transactions. Scaling solutions like Polygon aim to solve these problems by building on top of the parent blockchain.
Polygon operates a side chain that offloads transactions onto a blockchain running parallel with Ethereum’s. The team has also developed several other technologies, including zk rollups (called Polygon zkEVM), optimistic rollups and plasma chains.
Polygon’s native token, POL, is an ERC-20 token that is used to govern the network, pay for transaction fees and secure the protocol. The project’s original token, MATIC, transitioned to POL in September 2024.
You can buy POL tokens in Australia on the Swyftx Crypto Exchange.