Introduction

Polygon is a smart contract and decentralized application (dApp) scaling platform built on top of the Ethereum blockchain. Its mission is to solve Ethereum's biggest challenges: slow transactions, high fees, and limited capacity. Polygon acts like a highway alongside Ethereum – it relieves congestion from the main network and enables scalable solutions affordably and quickly.

Polygon isn't just one chain, but a collection of compatible scaling technologies: sidechains, Layer 2 networks (like zk-rollups), and infrastructure tools that make using Ethereum more practical for end users.

Development Team and Background

Polygon was founded in 2017 by an Indian team consisting of Jaynti Kanani, Sandeep Nailwal, and Anurag Arjun. The project was originally known as Matic Network, and its token is still called MATIC. The name changed to Polygon in 2021 when the project expanded from a simple Layer 2 solution to an entire Ethereum-compatible blockchain ecosystem.

Polygon Labs organization is responsible for development, but it operates in a decentralized environment together with a global developer community. Over the years, Polygon has received funding from several venture capitalists, including Sequoia Capital and SoftBank, and in 2022 it raised over $400 million to support growth.

How Does Polygon Work?

Polygon's core idea is to make Ethereum scalable and usable for the masses. Ethereum is known for its stability and decentralized security, but the network slows down and fees rise during peak congestion. Polygon brings a solution in the following ways:

Polygon preserves Ethereum's security and developer-friendliness while making its use faster and cheaper.

What is Polygon Used For?

Polygon's main use cases relate to smart contracts and decentralized applications – just like with Ethereum – but its more affordable infrastructure makes it the preferred option for many projects and users.

What is MATIC and How is it Used?

MATIC is Polygon's native token. Its main uses are:

• Transaction Fees: Fees on the Polygon network are paid with the MATIC token.
• Staking: MATIC can be staked for blockchain validation, and in return you receive rewards.
• Governance: In the future, the MATIC token will have a growing role in chain governance, meaning token holders can influence development directions.

MATIC is a limited resource token (max 10 billion tokens), and a portion is burned during transactions (deflationary structure), which can affect long-term supply and price.

Benefits of Polygon

Risks and Challenges

Polygon in 2025

In 2025, Polygon has focused more than ever on zkEVM development and modular networks. The most significant current developments:

• Polygon 2.0: A renewal aiming to unify different scaling solutions into one cohesive network where messaging and asset transfers work seamlessly.
• Staking Renewal: MATIC token rebranding and potential technical change to a new token standard version is in the works.
• Partnerships: Polygon's technology has been selected for many global brands' NFT and loyalty programs.

Polygon is actively building a future where Ethereum serves as the core network and Polygon as its efficient extension.

How to Buy MATIC

MATIC tokens can be purchased from most major cryptocurrency exchanges. Here are some recommended platforms:

Summary