Polygon POL migration reaches 99% completion as AggLayer v2 unifies
The POL migration reached 99% completion for MATIC held on the Polygon network. This transition follows the AggLayer v2 deployment which unified 35 separate chains. The community consensus facilitates POL as the native gas and staking token for Polygon PoS, while the AggLayer provides an interoperability solution for the broader ecosystem.
The history of MATIC to POL
The transition from MATIC to POL began on September 4, 2024. This upgrade changed the native asset of the Polygon network to an ERC-20 token designed for multi-chain utility. Before this, the Matic Network launched in 2017 with four engineers: Jaynti Kanani, Sandeep Nailwal, Anurag Arjun, and Mihailo Bjelic. In 2021, the project rebranded to Polygon Technology. The 2024 upgrade replaced the legacy MATIC token, which had a capped supply of 10 billion, with POL, which uses a dynamic emission model.
The upgrade process differs depending on where users hold their assets. Users on the Polygon PoS network saw an automatic 1:1 conversion. However, those holding MATIC on Ethereum or Polygon zkEVM had to use the Polygon Portal interface to perform a manual migration. This manual process requires users to interact with a migration contract to exchange MATIC for POL. Some users prefer using a DEX aggregator to avoid the technical risks of calling the migration contract directly. Improperly calling the migration contract can lead to an irreversible loss of funds.
| Feature | MATIC | POL |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | April 2019 | September 2024 |
| Total Supply | 10B (Capped) | 10B + 2% annual emissions |
| Primary Function | Gas and staking on PoS | Multi-chain gas, staking, and governance |
| Emission Rate | Fixed schedule | 2% annual (1% security, 1% treasury) |
The new tokenomics earmark 2% of annual emissions over a decade to support the network. Half of these emissions go to the Polygon PoS staking contract to reward validators, while the other half supports a community treasury. This treasury funds builders through a grant program overseen by an independent board. While the upgrade provides expanded functionality, the transition requires users to monitor their RPC settings to see the correct token symbol in their wallets.
AggLayer v2 and the unified network
AggLayer v2 connects multiple chains through zero-knowledge proofs to provide shared liquidity and uniform security. This layer allows developers to link Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchains, such as Polygon zkEVM and Polygon Miden, into a single network environment. The AggLayer aims to prevent liquidity from becoming trapped across separate networks.
The POL token supports this aggregated architecture by providing security across all connected chains. This moves the network beyond a single proof-of-stake chain into a multi-chain ecosystem. The AggLayer Breakout Program includes independent projects like Katana, Billions, Miden, and PrivadoID. These projects use the AggLayer to access unified liquidity. Users can stake POL on Ethereum to earn validator rewards and gain eligibility for community airdrops through this program.
The technical implementation of the AggLayer relies on the Polygon CDK, which lets developers launch custom chains. These chains function as rollups or validiums. The AggLayer ensures that these sovereign chains can still communicate. Because POL serves as a coordinator for these chains, its utility scales with the number of connected networks.
Scaling payments and RWAs
Polygon PoS manages high volumes of transactions for payments and real-world assets (RWAs). The network supports billions of dollars in stablecoins and serves diverse sectors. For example, the government of the Philippines uses Polygon for document verification, and the state of Wyoming launched the Frontier Stable Token on the network.
The network maintains high velocity by keeping transaction fees low. Since the 2024 upgrade, every transaction on Polygon PoS uses POL as the native gas token. This change ensures the network has a unified asset to fuel growth across the entire stack. The total value locked in the Polygon ecosystem reached $1.23 billion in August 2025.
Will the community decide to change the 2% emission rate as the network matures? Users can stake POL to participate in governance and influence decisions regarding the Community Treasury. The migration remains a long-term process intended to last several years to ensure all holders can transition.
