Networks / Ethereum / POL
Polygon
An EVM-compatible chain anchored to Ethereum, with the Agglayer cross-chain bridge and CDK for connected chains.
THE OVERVIEW
What Polygon does
Polygon Chain is an EVM-compatible blockchain anchored to Ethereum. It separates a consensus layer, Heimdall, from an execution layer, Bor. Heimdall is a set of proof-of-stake nodes that monitor staking contracts on Ethereum, validate Bor block data and submit periodic checkpoints to Ethereum mainnet; Bor is a set of block-producing nodes that execute EVM transactions. Validators lock POL to participate. [1]
Finality on the chain comes from milestones: validators agree on the longest common sequence of Bor block hashes since the last finalized milestone, and once enough of them concur that sequence is finalized. Checkpoints serve a different purpose. They are Merkle roots of Bor block data submitted to Ethereum at governance-set intervals and are needed for bridging rather than for ordinary transactions. [1]
Agglayer is a cross-chain bridge that connects the liquidity and users of heterogeneous blockchains under a single interoperability protocol. Pessimistic proofs limit the damage a compromised chain can do to its own deposits, assets keep their identity across connected chains instead of being wrapped, and connected chains retain their own architecture and governance. [2]
IN PRACTICE
What people use it for
Run EVM applications
Bor executes EVM transactions, so Ethereum-style contracts and tooling operate on Polygon Chain. [1]
Validate with POL
Operating a validator requires locking POL and participating in Heimdall consensus and checkpointing. [1]
Connect a chain to Agglayer
Chains built with the CDK ship with Agglayer connectivity, gaining shared liquidity while keeping their own governance. [2]
UNDERSTAND THE TECHNOLOGY
Key concepts
Heimdall and Bor
The consensus layer that monitors Ethereum staking contracts and the execution layer that produces EVM blocks. [1]
Milestones and checkpoints
Milestones finalize Bor blocks quickly; checkpoints anchor Merkle roots of block data to Ethereum for bridging. [1]
Pessimistic proofs
A security mechanism ensuring a compromised chain connected to Agglayer cannot drain more than its own deposits. [2]
MARKET CONTEXT
POL market
$0.108-2.83% 24hPrice history, market data and signal →FOLLOW THE STORY
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Official resources & sources
Dextape explanations based on the primary documentation below.