Polkadot is an open-source, public blockchain that supports the Web3 ecosystem by enabling interoperability between multiple blockchain networks. Designed to help multi-chain decentralized applications (dApps), Polkadot is one of the biggest and most popular blockchain networks intended for the upcoming Web 3.0 revolution.
Polkadot uses a system of parachains, short for parallel chains, that can connect to the Polkadot mainnet and form a completely decentralized and scalable ecosystem without compromising security. The blockchain uses a highly energy-efficient consensus mechanism, Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS), to validate transactions and secure data and assets within its network.
DOT is the native cryptocurrency of the Polkadot ecosystem and is among the top digital assets by market cap. It enjoys high trading volume and liquidity across exchanges and platforms, thanks to the innovative technology behind the infrastructure its blockchain provides.
The Polkadot cryptocurrency can be traded against other crypto assets, staked to earn passive income, and serve as the governance token of the entire protocol. The Polkadot blockchain project was founded and managed by the Web3 Foundation.