Polygon (MATIC)

Polygon, previously known as Matic Network, is a Layer-2 scaling solution designed to improve the efficiency of the Ethereum blockchain by addressing its high transaction costs and slow processing times. Polygon operates as a sidechain, processing transactions off the main Ethereum chain and then batching and settling them back on the Ethereum mainnet. This approach allows for faster and cheaper transactions while maintaining Ethereum's security. Polygon is widely used for decentralized applications (dApps) and DeFi protocols, making it a popular choice for developers. The native token, MATIC, is used for governance, staking, and paying transaction fees on the network. Example: A dApp on Polygon processes transactions for a fraction of the cost of Ethereum while still utilizing the Ethereum ecosystem.