Polkadot-koers

Often referred to as the "Blockchain of Blockchains," Polkadot is a next-gen Layer-0 meta protocol and an open-source blockchain launched in May 2020 to realize the broader vision of a secure, resilient, and fair Web3. DOT is the native coin and governance token. It unites a network of native purpose-built Layer-1 blockchains called parachains and multiple external blockchains (connected to it using bridging technology), allowing them to operate at scale alongside each other seamlessly. The parachains and external blockchains can freely interact with each other, too, thus making them interoperable. This is a significant shift from the siloed design of conventional blockchains like Ethereum and Bitcoin. Parachains can process transactions simultaneously, reducing the burden on the main chain and offering ease of scalability. Parachains also allow developers to customize their blockchains, allowing them to optimize parachains for specific use cases with their native tokens. The Relay Chain is Polkadot's central chain which constitutes the heart of its network. It was created using the Substrate framework to build custom blockchains. The Relay Chain is also responsible for maintaining Polkadot's shared security, cross-chain interoperability, and consensus mechanism. It has been designed to handle minimum functions, including the network's governance and nominated Proof-of-Stake (NPoS) participation. All validators are staked on the Relay Chain and confirm transactions from the connected parachains. DOT serves multiple purposes within the larger Polkadot ecosystem. It is the currency used to pay transaction fees when sending data or tokens across chains. It also serves as a governance token that users can stake to vote on the future of Polkadot. DOT tokens also serve as the currency to incentivize users to maintain the integrity and ensure the system's security. Users can stake DOT to participate in the network's consensus mechanism, and acting against the network will lead to the loss of staked assets. DOT is also used for bonding, a type of proof-of-stake.