What is POL (POL)?
RANK #74The token powering Polygon’s Ethereum scaling network and ecosystem.
POL market stats
POL at a glance
- Ticker
- POL
- Launched
- 2024 (POL upgrade)
- Category
- Ethereum scaling
- Previously
- MATIC
- Use
- Gas, staking, ecosystem
- Tech
- PoS chain & Polygon CDK
Categories: Smart Contract Platform · Polygon Ecosystem · Ethereum Ecosystem · Layer 2 (L2) · Zero Knowledge (ZK)
How POL works
POL is the native token of Polygon, one of the most widely used Ethereum scaling ecosystems. It replaced the earlier MATIC token in a 2024 upgrade and powers Polygon’s proof-of-stake network and broader stack of scaling solutions.
Polygon offers cheap, fast transactions compatible with Ethereum, and is widely used for payments, DeFi, gaming and enterprise applications. POL is used for gas, staking and securing the ecosystem.
Polygon runs an Ethereum-compatible proof-of-stake network and a wider stack (including the Polygon CDK) for building scaling chains. Validators stake POL to secure the network and earn rewards.
Transactions are far cheaper than on Ethereum’s base layer while remaining compatible with Ethereum tools and assets.
What moves the POL price?
- Activity and adoption across Polygon networks.
- Enterprise and payments partnerships.
- Competition among Ethereum scaling solutions.
- The broader market cycle.
What POL is used for
- Paying gas fees on Polygon networks.
- Staking to secure the proof-of-stake chain.
- Coordinating and securing the broader Polygon ecosystem.
POL FAQ
What is POL?
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POL is the native token of Polygon, an Ethereum scaling ecosystem. It replaced MATIC in a 2024 upgrade and is used for gas, staking and securing the network.
What happened to MATIC?
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MATIC was upgraded to POL in 2024 as Polygon expanded its technology stack. Holders migrated MATIC to POL.
What is Polygon used for?
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Polygon provides cheap, fast, Ethereum-compatible transactions used in payments, DeFi, gaming and enterprise applications.
How do I buy Polygon (POL)?
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POL is available on most major exchanges and Ethereum-compatible wallets. See our ratings for vetted options.
This page is information, not financial advice. Prices come from CoinGecko; the text is written and checked by our desk. See our editorial policy.
POL news & analysis

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