What is Polymesh? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Polymesh at a glance.

Polymesh is a public permissioned Layer 1 blockchain built specifically for security tokens and other regulated real-world assets. Built on the Substrate framework, it bakes identity, compliance, confidentiality, and governance into the base protocol rather than leaving them to application code. The mainnet launched in October 2021 and the native token is POLYX. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

n/a

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Polymesh. Updated Jun 8, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

POLYX

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live POLYX price.

How it works

How Polymesh works.

Polymesh uses nominated proof of stake to secure the network. Node operators run validators and stake POLYX, and nominators back operators they trust by staking POLYX behind them, with both sharing rewards and penalties based on performance. Block production uses the BABE mechanism and finality comes from the GRANDPA gadget, which gives deterministic finality so a finalized block is settled rather than probabilistic. Validators on Polymesh must themselves be identity-verified.

Consensus: Nominated proof of stake

Polymesh uses nominated proof of stake to secure the network. Node operators run validators and stake POLYX, and nominators back operators they trust by staking POLYX behind them, with both sharing rewards and penalties based on performance. Block production uses the BABE mechanism and finality comes from the GRANDPA gadget, which gives deterministic finality so a finalized block is settled rather than probabilistic. Validators on Polymesh must themselves be identity-verified.

Built for regulated assets

Polymesh is purpose-built for security tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Issuance, transfer rules, and settlement are handled by protocol features designed for regulated markets rather than general-purpose smart contracts alone.

On-chain identity

Every participant has a verified on-chain identity. Transfer restrictions and compliance rules are enforced against these identities, so an asset can only move between parties that meet the issuer rules.

Confidential assets

Polymesh supports confidential assets that keep balances and transfer amounts private using Twisted ElGamal cryptography, while still settling on the shared ledger.

POLYX token

POLYX is the native token. It pays transaction and protocol fees, is staked by operators and nominators to secure the network, and is used to signal support in on-chain governance.

Ecosystem & usage

What Polymesh is used for.

Polymesh is used by issuers and institutions to create, manage, and settle tokenized securities and other regulated real-world assets.

Security token issuance

Issuers create and manage tokenized securities with transfer restrictions and compliance rules enforced by the protocol against verified identities.

Real-world asset settlement

Assets settle on-chain in real time with deterministic finality, which suits regulated markets where a confirmed settlement must not be reversed.

Staking and governance

POLYX holders stake as operators or nominators to help secure the network and earn rewards, and use POLYX to signal support in governance.

In Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend POLYX.

Polymesh is integrated in Zypto App. Hold POLYX in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold POLYX in Zypto How to buy POLYX

Be the reason Polymesh ships next.

Polymesh isn’t in Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is Polymesh?

Polymesh is a public permissioned Layer 1 blockchain built for security tokens and regulated real-world assets, with identity, compliance, and confidentiality built into the protocol. Its native token is POLYX.

What consensus does Polymesh use?

Polymesh uses nominated proof of stake. It produces blocks with the BABE mechanism and finalizes them with the GRANDPA gadget, giving deterministic finality so settled blocks are not reversed. Validators must be identity-verified.

What is POLYX used for?

POLYX is the native token. It pays transaction and protocol fees, is staked by operators and nominators to secure the network, and is used to signal support in governance.

What makes Polymesh different from a general-purpose chain?

Polymesh is purpose-built for regulated assets. Identity verification, transfer restrictions, compliance rules, and confidential assets are handled by the base protocol rather than left to application code.

Can I hold POLYX in Zypto App?

Not yet. POLYX isn't in Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Polymesh using the "Request Polymesh" button above.

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