Polkadot (code: DOT) is a heterogeneous, highly scalable multichain blockchain platform, founded by Gavin Wood, co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of Ethereum. Launched in May 2020, Polkadot is designed to connect individual blockchains, allowing them to share data and resources securely.
Utility of the DOT token:
Network governance: DOT holders have the right to participate in the governance process of Polkadot, including proposing and voting on protocol changes, upgrades, and bug fixes. Decision-making in the network is based on the proportion of DOT that users hold.
Staking: DOT is used in Polkadot's Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS) consensus mechanism. Users can stake DOT into pools to support network security and receive staking rewards.
Parachain connectivity (Bonding): DOT is used to connect new parachains to the network through the bonding process. This helps expand the Polkadot ecosystem and enhances interoperability between blockchains.
In summary, Polkadot and the DOT token play a crucial role in connecting different blockchains, creating a flexible and secure multichain ecosystem. With decentralized governance, staking, and parachain connectivity, DOT is not only a means of transaction but also a key factor in promoting the development and security of the Polkadot network.