POL is here, your MATIC needs to upgrade: Complete migration guide and profit strategies

Polygon Ecosystem Token（POL） is officially here, and this is more than just a name change. As Polygon 2.0 upgrades progress, the old MATIC will soon become history, while POL carries the new future of the entire ecosystem. If you still hold MATIC, this guide will help you get started quickly.

What exactly is POL? Why is MATIC being retired?

Simply put, POL is the new token for the Polygon 2.0 era, designed to replace MATIC. But this isn’t a simple or crude swap; it’s a comprehensive upgrade.

The core differences are:

POL is no longer just a gas token and staking tool on a single chain. It supports validation across multiple chains within the Polygon ecosystem, significantly improving your token utilization. Additionally, POL introduces advanced security mechanisms like zero-knowledge proofs (ZK), elevating the network’s protection capabilities to a new level.

From a governance perspective, POL also has more weight. Holders have greater influence and can vote on broader network decisions. In contrast, MATIC’s governance rights are relatively limited, mainly revolving around the original PoS mechanism.

POL vs MATIC: Core Comparison

Practical uses of POL: More than just transaction fees

Gas fee payments: This is the most basic use. You need POL to pay gas for any transaction within the Polygon ecosystem.

Staking rewards: Stake POL with validators to earn stable rewards. Post-upgrade, you can stake across multiple chains, doubling your earning opportunities.

Cross-chain interactions: POL is essential as the settlement unit for cross-chain operations within the Polygon ecosystem.

Governance voting: Participate in DAO decisions, from network upgrades to fund allocations. POL holders have a say.

Ecosystem incentives: Continuous issuance growth flows into community funds and developer incentives, indirectly giving you a share of the ecosystem’s growth dividends.

Migration roadmap from MATIC to POL

Depending on where your MATIC is stored, the migration options vary:

Scenario 1: MATIC on Ethereum
You need to act manually. Visit the official upgrade portal, authorize, and convert MATIC to POL. This process is irreversible, so confirm everything carefully before proceeding.

Scenario 2: MATIC on Polygon PoS network
The simplest solution—automatic upgrade. You don’t need to do anything; the system will automatically convert MATIC to POL. This started on September 4, 2024, and should already be completed.

Scenario 3: MATIC on zkEVM
Two options: either bridge to Ethereum and upgrade via the official portal; or directly swap on zkEVM’s DEX using POL. Both methods can complete the upgrade.

Scenario 4: MATIC on exchanges
Major exchanges usually handle this automatically. But don’t just wait passively—pay attention to platform notifications. Some exchanges may delist MATIC early, and passive conversion later could be troublesome.

Practical POL: From purchase to staking

Step 1: Obtain POL
If you still have MATIC, upgrade it following the above methods. If you’re new, buying POL directly is more straightforward. Major trading platforms now support POL trading—just choose a reputable platform.

Step 2: Choose staking plan
POL staking divides into two types:

Delegated staking (easiest): Choose a trusted validator and delegate POL to them. The validator handles transaction packaging, and you earn rewards passively. This method has low barriers and doesn’t require running your own node.

Independent validation (advanced): Run your own validator node and participate directly in network consensus. Higher rewards but also higher technical requirements and hardware investment.

Step 3: Set up wallet and staking parameters
Use the official staking platform (Polygon Staking Dashboard), connect your wallet, select a validator, and input the amount to stake. Confirm and submit the transaction. Tokens will be locked in a smart contract, and rewards are settled approximately every epoch (about one day).

Important tip: Staked tokens are locked and cannot be freely withdrawn. Unstaking takes 7-14 days cooling-off. Don’t stake all your assets—leave some liquidity for emergencies.

POL’s yield logic: Numbers speak

Data as of December 26, 2025:

• Current price: $0.10
• 24-hour change: -1.06%
• 24-hour trading volume: $765.77K
• Circulating market cap: $1.10B

Staking annual percentage rate (APR) typically ranges from 5-12%, depending on total staked amount and network activity. More stakers mean the rewards are divided among more participants, lowering individual yields; fewer stakers mean higher yields.

Additionally, POL’s 2% annual issuance partly flows into the staking reward pool, meaning even without new users entering, existing stakers can continue to benefit.

Pitfall avoidance: Things not to do

Trust unofficial upgrade tools: Never use unofficial channels to upgrade MATIC. Many phishing sites lure with “Upgrade MATIC to POL.” The official portal is the only one—remember the URL.

** Stake all tokens at once**: After staking, tokens are locked for 7-14 days before withdrawal. If market conditions change suddenly, you’ll be passive and vulnerable. Reserve at least 30% of assets for liquidity.

Ignore validator selection: Not all validators are reliable. Check their stability history, operational capacity, and fee levels. A poor validator can cause frequent penalties (penalties).

Exchange delays: Smaller exchanges may not handle the upgrade automatically. If your MATIC is stuck on an unreliable platform, it could turn into worthless tokens after the cutoff. Transfer early to mainstream platforms.

Step-by-step checklist

1. Confirm MATIC location: Ethereum / Polygon PoS / zkEVM / exchange—different locations, different solutions
2. Backup wallet private key or seed phrase: Upgrade involves transactions; ensure you can recover
3. Choose upgrade channel: Official portal or exchange automatic upgrade
4. Perform upgrade: Follow steps to authorize and transfer
5. Verify result: Confirm wallet shows POL balance
6. Update RPC configuration: Some wallets may require manual network updates
7. Decide next steps: Trade, stake, or hold long-term

Why is upgrading now so important?

Polygon 2.0 is not a distant future; it’s already underway. Delaying the upgrade means your assets are gradually losing value—old MATIC has stopped earning ecosystem growth dividends.

Meanwhile, POL’s governance power is becoming increasingly important. Major ecosystem decisions rely on POL voting. If you’re a participant or developer in Polygon, your influence is tied to your POL holdings.

Finally, the revenue dimensions are changing. New cross-chain validation, protocol fee sharing, and other income channels are exclusive to POL. Holding onto MATIC will gradually marginalize you.

Summary

The upgrade from MATIC to POL is not a passive conversion but an active ecosystem choice. POL represents Polygon’s move toward multi-chain, decentralized, community-governed future.

Whether you are an ordinary holder or a staking participant, completing the upgrade early allows you to secure a position. Those optimistic about Polygon’s future should convert MATIC now. Delay too long, and you risk falling behind the ecosystem’s progress.