Polygon

Polygon, formerly known as Matic Network, is a blockchain project focused on enhancing Ethereum’s scalability and infrastructure. Its native token, MATIC, is used for network security through staking, paying transaction fees, and participating in governance.

Polygon is best known for Polygon PoS, a sidechain running alongside the Ethereum mainnet. Unlike rollups, this sidechain employs its own proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism and validators. As part of a long-term brand restructuring plan, Polygon 2.0 proposes upgrading the PoS chain into a zkEVM validium, leveraging existing PoS validators as a data availability layer.

Another major product is Polygon zkEVM, a ZK-rollup that scales Ethereum by executing transactions off-chain. It employs a PLONK-based ZK-SNARK and features a zkEVM that closely emulates the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), generating validity proofs for smart contract execution outcomes within a zero-knowledge proof system.

Additionally, Polygon offers the Polygon Chain Development Kit (CDK), a modular, open-source toolkit and Rollup-as-a-Service (RaaS) solution. This kit helps build custom ZK-rollups as Layer 2 or Layer 3 networks. An example network built with the CDK is X Layer, a ZK-based network developed by OKX.

Polygon plans to create the AggLayer, unifying networks built with the CDK on a single layer for better interoperability and scalability. The AggLayer aims to combine the best aspects of both monolithic and modular blockchains, allowing seamless, near-instant cross-chain transactions by aggregating zero-knowledge proofs from connected networks and employing a unified bridge to Layer 1.