Polkadot isn't in the Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritized. All network data below stays live regardless.
Many chains, one shared security.
Polkadot is a network of blockchains rather than a single chain. A central Relay Chain provides shared security, connected chains run in parallel and plug into it, and they pass messages to each other through a common format. Four ideas make that work.
The Relay Chain
A central chain coordinates the whole network and provides shared security. Connected chains rely on it for finality, so they don't each need their own validator set. It is the heart of the design.
Connected chains
Application-specific chains, historically called parachains, run in parallel and plug into the Relay Chain's security. Each can be tuned for its own purpose while sharing the same trust model.
Cross-chain messaging
Connected chains talk to each other through cross-consensus messaging, known as XCM. Assets and data can move between chains without leaving the shared security of the network.
Nominated Proof of Stake
DOT holders nominate validators, who are backed by that stake to secure the Relay Chain. Misbehavior can be slashed, aligning validators and nominators with the health of the network.
Submit
You sign a transaction on a connected chain. Its own collators gather operations into a candidate block and pass that block up to the Relay Chain for validation.
Validate
Relay Chain validators, backed by nominated DOT, check the candidate block. Block production through BABE and finality through GRANDPA secure the shared record.
Finalize
Once finalized on the Relay Chain, the result is settled for that chain. If the transfer targets another chain, an XCM message carries the assets or data across.
- Staking, nominating validators to secure the Relay Chain
- Governance, voting through Polkadot's on-chain OpenGov
- Bonding, connecting chains to the Relay Chain's security
- Treasury, an on-chain fund the network can spend on its growth
DOT secures the network, steers its decisions and pays for connecting chains. It does not have a fixed maximum supply, with new DOT funding staking rewards and the treasury.
Activity you can measure.
On-chain numbers that show how Polkadot is structured and secured, the chains, validators and agreement model behind it, not the price.
Growing message flow. As more chains connect to the network, cross-consensus messages between them have broadly grown, with quieter periods in between. Figures vary, so we keep this qualitative.
Application-specific chains run in parallel and inherit the Relay Chain's security. The exact count shifts as coretime is bought and released.
What Polkadot is used for.
The network is built to connect many specialized chains under one security model. Here is where it is actually used, and how it reaches into the wider crypto economy.
Shared security
Connected chains inherit security from the Relay Chain rather than bootstrapping their own validator set, which lowers the cost of launching a new chain.
Interoperability
Cross-consensus messaging lets connected chains move assets and data between each other, so applications can compose across the network.
Custom chains
Teams build application-specific chains with the Substrate framework, tuning each one for its own use while sharing the same trust model.
Staking & governance
DOT holders stake to secure the network and vote on its direction through OpenGov, with an on-chain treasury funding ongoing work.
A network of chains, not one chain
Unlike a single Layer 1, Polkadot connects many chains under one shared security model and lets them message each other. Learn the basics in our crypto basics guides.
Be the reason Polkadot ships next.
Polkadot isn't in the Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers and ask them to add their voice, we prioritize the chains with the most demand. Every network number on this page stays fully live either way.
Request Polkadot in the Zypto App.
Polkadot isn't integrated yet. Post the request to your followers and ask them to add their voice, chains with the most demand get prioritized. Everything above stays fully live either way.
Available in the Zypto App · native asset
Polkadot's native asset is DOT, used for staking, governance and bonding. When integrated, DOT would be held in self-custody, your keys, your coins.
Get the Zypto AppAccepted as Payment
When Polkadot is integrated, you could pay bills, top-ups and 24,000+ products with DOT through Zypto Pay. Request it above to help bring that forward.
Swap & convert
Once Polkadot is integrated, you could swap DOT to any supported asset in seconds, with Zypto routing the best path automatically.
A multi-chain network, plainly told.
What is Polkadot in one sentence?
What is the difference between Polkadot and DOT?
How does Polkadot connect different blockchains?
How is the network secured?
Is Polkadot available in the Zypto App?
Other major networks.
Learn more.
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Hold crypto in self-custody.
Buy crypto in seconds, send it for a small fee, swap to any supported asset, and use your crypto for real-world spending with a real Visa card, all in one self-custodial app. Request Polkadot to help bring DOT into the lineup.
Self-custodial · non-custodial · your keys, your coins.
