Polygon, a prominent Ethereum scaling solution, has introduced a new proposal in its Polygon 2.0 roadmap that aims to transition its native MATIC token to POL. The proposal, outlined in a white paper by Polygon's founders and researchers, positions POL as the "3rd-generation protocol token" and a vital tool for coordinating and fostering growth within the Polygon ecosystem.

The redesigned system architecture of POL aims to introduce hyperproductive tokens and allows holders to become validators, earning rewards for their participation. Notably, validators will have the flexibility to validate multiple chains, a significant improvement that sets POL apart. Additionally, each chain can offer various roles and corresponding rewards to validators, marking a game-changing enhancement.

The utility of POL primarily revolves around validators, with a focus on aligning incentives to encourage valuable work. POL's utility will extend to all protocols associated with the Polygon scaling solution, including Polygon PoS, zkEVM, and Supernets.

Once the proposal receives approval, POL staking will unlock three incentive streams: protocol rewards, transaction fees, and additional rewards. This transition is a culmination of almost a year of work, separate from recent regulatory events, according to Polygon Labs. The proposal had been under development since the expansion and rebranding of Matic Network to Polygon.

It is worth noting that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently labeled MATIC as an unregistered security. However, Polygon Labs clarified that the proposal to transition to POL was not a direct response to the regulatory developments but rather a long-standing plan aligned with the expanded vision of the network.

With the introduction of POL, Polygon aims to strengthen its ecosystem and provide enhanced opportunities for validators while advancing its position as a leading Ethereum scaling solution. As the proposal progresses and POL becomes the primary protocol token, the Polygon community and stakeholders will closely monitor its implementation and potential impact on the broader crypto landscape.