The long-anticipated evolution of Polygon’s ecosystem is now live. On this day, the network completes a pivotal technical upgrade: the transition from MATIC to POL. This is not a token swap in the traditional sense but a strategic, 1:1 migration that marks the beginning of Polygon 2.0 — a vision for a unified, scalable, and interconnected blockchain future.
This upgrade positions POL as the new native token across the Polygon ecosystem, starting with the Polygon PoS network. It’s a foundational step toward making Polygon an aggregated network of blockchains, where interoperability, security, and scalability converge under a single economic layer.
What the MATIC to POL Migration Means
At its core, this migration represents more than just a name change. It’s a structural enhancement designed to future-proof the network. The MATIC to POL transition is part of a broader roadmap aimed at unifying multiple chains within the Polygon ecosystem through the AggLayer, a protocol that enables trust-minimized communication across chains.
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Key Highlights of the Upgrade:
- 1:1 Conversion: Every MATIC token converts directly to one POL token.
- Seamless Transition: No action required for most users, especially those holding MATIC on Polygon PoS or staking on Ethereum.
- Enhanced Utility: POL will serve as both gas and staking token on Polygon PoS, with expanded roles in the AggLayer.
- Backward Compatibility: All existing balances — including those in smart contracts, DeFi protocols, and liquidity pools — are automatically upgraded.
The testnet migration was successfully completed on July 17, 2024, giving developers and users confidence in today’s mainnet execution. According to Polygon Labs, the process is engineered for minimal disruption.
How the Migration Affects Different User Groups
✅ Polygon PoS Token Holders
If you hold MATIC on the Polygon PoS chain, your tokens have already been upgraded to POL automatically. However, some wallets may still display the balance as “MATIC” due to outdated RPC (Remote Procedure Call) configurations.
Why does “MATIC” still appear in my wallet?
Wallets rely on RPC endpoints to fetch token data. If the endpoint hasn’t been updated to reflect the new POL designation, it will continue showing MATIC. This is purely a display issue — your underlying assets are now POL.
You can manually update your wallet settings to reflect POL by adjusting the token symbol and contract address via custom RPC or wallet configuration. Most major wallets are expected to roll out automatic updates soon.
✅ MATIC Stakers on Ethereum
For users staking MATIC through official staking contracts on Ethereum, the migration is fully automatic. All staked MATIC will be converted to POL without requiring any user intervention. Rewards and validator statuses remain unaffected.
This seamless upgrade ensures continuity for validators and delegators who contribute to the security of the Polygon network via Ethereum-based staking.
⚠️ MATIC Holders on Ethereum (Non-Staking) & CEX Users
Holders of MATIC on Ethereum’s mainnet (e.g., as ERC-20 tokens) or on centralized exchanges (CEXs) may need to take action — but only when they’re ready to upgrade.
Polygon has deployed a migration contract that allows users to convert their MATIC to POL permissionlessly. Several dApps have integrated this functionality:
- KyberSwap
- CoW Swap
- Polygon Portal (upcoming UI interface)
When available, the Polygon Portal will provide a user-friendly interface for initiating the migration directly from Ethereum.
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⚠️ Critical Warning: Risk of Fund Loss
Users must exercise caution when interacting with the migration contract:
- Do not send MATIC directly to the contract address — this will result in permanent loss.
- Only use approved interfaces or correctly call the contract functions if using advanced tools like MetaMask or Etherscan.
Always verify contract addresses and use official channels to avoid phishing scams.
Why Is Polygon Transitioning from MATIC to POL?
This upgrade isn’t arbitrary. It aligns with Polygon’s long-term vision: becoming a modular, multi-chain ecosystem powered by AggLayer technology.
Core Reasons Behind the Migration:
- Unified Economic Model
POL is designed to be a hyperproductive token, serving not just as gas and staking currency but also as the economic backbone of AggLayer. It enables shared security, cross-chain validation, and incentivization across all chains in the Polygon universe. - Scalability & Interoperability Roadmap
As Polygon evolves into an aggregated network of specialized chains (ZK chains, app-specific chains, etc.), a single native token becomes essential for seamless interaction and resource allocation. - Brand Evolution
While “MATIC” served the project well during its early growth phase, “POL” better represents the expanded scope of Polygon 2.0 — moving beyond a single scaling solution to a full-fledged blockchain ecosystem. - Future-Proofing Security
With POL playing a central role in staking and consensus across multiple layers, the network gains stronger economic security and resilience against attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need to do anything if I hold MATIC on Polygon PoS?
A: No action is required. Your tokens are automatically upgraded to POL. If your wallet still shows MATIC, it’s likely due to outdated RPC settings — this doesn’t affect your balance.
Q: Will the value of my tokens change after the migration?
A: No. The migration is 1:1. One MATIC equals one POL. There is no price change inherent to the upgrade itself.
Q: Can I still trade MATIC after today?
A: On-chain, MATIC as a token no longer exists post-migration. However, some exchanges may continue listing “MATIC” temporarily for trading purposes until they fully transition their systems to recognize POL.
Q: Is POL a new token or just a rebrand?
A: Technically, POL replaces MATIC as the native token. While it's a rebrand in name, it comes with enhanced utility and a strategic role in Polygon’s future architecture.
Q: What happens to dApps and liquidity pools using MATIC?
A: All smart contracts and liquidity pools on Polygon PoS have been automatically upgraded. Liquidity providers and protocol users experience no disruption.
Q: How can I verify that my MATIC has been upgraded to POL?
A: Check your balance on a blockchain explorer like PolygonScan. Look for transactions related to the migration contract or confirm that your holdings are now denoted under POL.
Looking Ahead: The Role of POL in Polygon 2.0
With POL now live as the native token, focus shifts to the broader rollout of AggLayer and the integration of ZK-powered chains, enterprise solutions, and decentralized applications built for mass adoption.
Developers are encouraged to start building with POL in mind — whether for gas payments, staking, or participation in cross-chain interoperability protocols.
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As Polygon continues its transformation, POL stands at the center — not just as a currency, but as a catalyst for unified blockchain coordination.
This migration marks more than a technical upgrade; it’s a milestone in blockchain evolution — one that brings us closer to a truly interconnected digital economy.