MATIC meaning

What Is Polygon?

Polygon, often referred to as “波利冈” in Chinese, is a scaling network designed to enhance Ethereum’s performance. Its main objective is to provide faster transaction confirmations and significantly lower transaction fees, all while maintaining compatibility with Ethereum. The native token, MATIC, is used for paying network gas fees, participating in Proof-of-Stake (PoS) staking, and governance voting.

What Are the Current Price, Market Cap, and Circulating Supply of Polygon (MATIC)?

Structurally, MATIC has a maximum supply of approximately 10 billion tokens, making it a non-inflationary asset. The price, market capitalization, and circulating supply fluctuate based on market dynamics and token unlock schedules. According to a data snapshot from March 24, 2025 (source: internal data and the official website at https://polygon.technology/), MATIC experienced short-term volatility, periodic pullbacks in recent months, and minor rebounds within weekly trends. Since this data is over six months old, actual figures may have changed significantly. For real-time information, refer to the live data on Gate. Pay attention to the circulating supply ratio and trading volume to assess market activity and liquidity depth.

Who Created Polygon (MATIC) and When?

Polygon was originally founded by a team of developers from India. It started as Matic Network before being rebranded to Polygon, evolving into a multi-chain, cross-chain, and zero-knowledge proof solution suite. Its focus shifted from being simply an Ethereum sidechain to becoming a scaling and interoperability platform within the Ethereum ecosystem, while MATIC continues to serve as the network’s utility and governance token.

How Does Polygon (MATIC) Work?

Polygon utilizes the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, where participants stake tokens to validate blocks—a more energy-efficient approach than Proof-of-Work. The network supports multiple scaling solutions:

• Sidechains & PoS Chains: Process transactions in an Ethereum-compatible environment before settling and transferring assets back to Ethereum.
• Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK): Leverage cryptographic proofs that verify computations without revealing underlying data. This allows for bundling large numbers of transactions into succinct proofs submitted to Ethereum, boosting throughput and security.

These mechanisms collectively enable Polygon to batch transactions, reduce gas fees, and accelerate confirmation times. Asset and state interoperability with Ethereum is maintained through bridges and messaging protocols.

What Can You Do With Polygon (MATIC)?

• Pay Transaction Fees: MATIC is used as gas for transfers and smart contract interactions on the Polygon network.
• Staking & Network Security: Node operators and delegators stake MATIC to participate in consensus and earn rewards.
• DeFi & NFTs: Polygon’s low fees and fast confirmations lower barriers for users in decentralized trading, lending, stablecoin swaps, NFT minting, and trading.
• Gaming & Enterprise Solutions: Ideal for high-frequency, micro-transactions; enterprises can leverage Polygon for custom blockchain deployments.

What Wallets and Extension Solutions Exist in the Polygon (MATIC) Ecosystem?

• Browser Wallets: Extensions like MetaMask can add the Polygon network to interact directly with DApps.
• Hardware Wallets: Devices such as Ledger can be used alongside software wallets for enhanced offline private key security.
• Official Bridge Tools: Polygon Bridge facilitates asset transfers between Ethereum and Polygon; always verify token contracts and target networks before bridging.
• Block Explorers: Enable users to check address balances, transaction status, and contract details for audit and self-verification purposes.

What Are the Main Risks and Regulatory Considerations for Polygon (MATIC)?

• Market Volatility: Crypto asset prices are highly volatile—proper position sizing and risk management are crucial.
• Smart Contract & Bridge Risks: Smart contracts may contain vulnerabilities; cross-chain bridges are high-risk points—always verify contract addresses and network selections before operations.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: Token trading and holding are subject to different laws across jurisdictions, which may impact compliance and liquidity.
• Private Key & Account Security: Loss or exposure of private keys or seed phrases in self-custody wallets results in irreversible asset loss; always enable two-factor authentication and anti-phishing measures on exchange accounts.

How Can I Buy and Safely Store Polygon (MATIC) on Gate?

Step 1: Register and Complete KYC. Sign up on Gate, submit identity documents and face verification as required to enhance account security and withdrawal limits.

Step 2: Deposit Funds. Choose fiat deposit, bank card, or third-party funding options—or transfer stablecoins like USDT from your wallet into Gate in preparation for buying MATIC.

Step 3: Search and Place an Order. On the “Spot” page, search for “MATIC,” select your preferred trading pair (such as MATIC/USDT), choose limit or market order as needed, confirm quantity and price, then place your order.

Step 4: Withdraw to a Self-Custody Wallet. For long-term holding or frequent DApp interactions, it’s recommended to withdraw MATIC to a self-custody wallet. Ensure you select the correct network (e.g., Polygon PoS), double-check the address and tag—an incorrect network could render assets unrecoverable.

Step 5: Secure Storage & Settings. Store your recovery phrase offline—never take photos or sync it to cloud storage; enable two-factor authentication and anti-phishing codes on your account; consider hardware wallets for large balances, review wallet permissions regularly, and monitor your risk exposure.

How Is Polygon (MATIC) Different From Ethereum (ETH)?

• Positioning: Ethereum is the mainnet (Layer 1) providing base security and settlement; Polygon is a scaling layer (often called Layer 2 or a compatible sidechain) focused on speed and fee reduction.
• Cost & Speed: Polygon transactions typically have lower fees and faster confirmation times compared to Ethereum—ideal for high-frequency, low-value use cases.
• Security Model: Polygon uses PoS and ZK technologies for enhanced security while anchoring critical proofs on Ethereum; Ethereum’s security comes directly from its consensus mechanism. The two networks balance cost, performance, and security differently.
• Ecosystem Compatibility: Both support the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), making developer migration easier; however, cross-chain asset transfers require bridges—always proceed with caution.

Summary of Polygon (MATIC)

Polygon (MATIC) is built to deliver “faster speeds at lower costs” within the Ethereum ecosystem by leveraging PoS consensus and zero-knowledge proofs for high throughput. MATIC serves as both gas fee token and governance asset. With a fixed total supply and wide-ranging use cases—including DeFi, NFTs, and high-frequency trading—Polygon caters to diverse blockchain needs. Historical market snapshots show both volatility and periodic corrections; always refer to Gate’s real-time data for current pricing. For users, the purchase process is straightforward—prioritize choosing the correct network, safeguarding private keys, and managing risks. Going forward, track advancements in zero-knowledge technology, ecosystem growth, and regulatory updates to evaluate its long-term value proposition.

FAQ

What Is the Relationship Between MATIC and Polygon?

MATIC is the native token powering the Polygon network—they are part of one integrated system. Polygon is an Ethereum scaling solution designed to reduce congestion by lowering transaction costs and increasing speeds. MATIC fuels network operations, allowing holders to participate in validation and governance.

Why Do People Call MATIC “马蹄链” (“Horse Hoof Chain”)?

“马蹄链” is a Chinese community nickname for MATIC derived from the phonetic similarity between “MATIC” and “马蹄” (“horse hoof”). This is an informal moniker; the official terms are Polygon network and MATIC token. Both names refer to the same project—new users only need to know the formal terminology.

What Are the Main Uses of the MATIC Token?

MATIC has three primary use cases: paying transaction fees on the Polygon network (at costs far below Ethereum), staking for validator rewards, and participating in community governance votes that shape network development. Holding MATIC provides value in all three areas.

What Advantages Does Polygon Offer Compared to Ethereum Mainnet?

Polygon’s main advantages are its fast transaction speeds and low fees—typically over 100x cheaper than Ethereum mainnet. It retains Ethereum’s security properties while offering an almost EVM-equivalent developer experience that benefits both builders and users. Its main limitation is that ultimate security still relies on Ethereum.

How Can Beginners Start Using MATIC Tokens?

First, purchase MATIC on exchanges like Gate. Then transfer your tokens into a wallet that supports the Polygon network (e.g., MetaMask switched to Polygon). Once set up, you can participate in trading, lending, yield farming, or other activities within the Polygon ecosystem. Start with small amounts to familiarize yourself with wallet operations before increasing your exposure.

Glossary of Key Terms Related to Polygon (MATIC)

• Layer 2: A scaling solution built atop Ethereum that improves network performance by reducing transaction costs and increasing throughput.
• Staking: The act of locking up MATIC tokens to participate in validation, earn rewards, and help secure the blockchain.
• Sidechain: An independent blockchain operating parallel to Ethereum that enables asset interoperability through cross-chain bridges.
• Gas Fees: The cost required to execute transactions on the Polygon network—typically much lower than on Ethereum mainnet.
• Bridge: A protocol connecting Polygon with Ethereum that enables secure asset transfers between chains.
• Validator: A node operator who stakes MATIC to validate transactions and maintain network consensus.

Recommended Resources for Polygon (MATIC)

• Official Website & Whitepaper:

  • https://polygon.technology/
  • https://wiki.polygon.technology/
  • https://whitepaper.io/document/649/polygon-whitepaper

• Developer Docs:

  • https://docs.polygon.technology/
  • https://github.com/maticnetwork
  • https://github.com/maticnetwork/matic-docs

• Media & Research:

  • https://blog.polygon.technology/
  • https://research.polygon.technology/
  • https://polygon.technology/blog/