What is Polkadot (DOT)?
Polkadot (DOT) fact sheet with live price · reviewed November 4, 2026
Polkadot is a network designed to connect separate blockchains so they can share security and talk to each other. It was founded by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood and launched in 2020. Its coin, DOT, is used for staking, governance votes and paying for space on the network.
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Key facts
| Launched | May 2020 |
|---|---|
| Created by | Gavin Wood, with Robert Habermeier and Peter Czaban (Web3 Foundation and Parity Technologies) |
| Supply | Capped at 2.1 billion DOT by a 2025 governance vote; new issuance steps down over time |
| How it's secured | Nominated proof of stake |
| Used for | Staking, governance votes, and securing connected chains |
Who runs it
DOT holders govern Polkadot through on-chain referendums that can change the code and spend the treasury. Parity Technologies and the Web3 Foundation built it; many independent teams now contribute.
What it's used for
A central "relay chain" secures many connected blockchains (originally called parachains), which can pass messages and tokens between each other.
How it works
Nominators back validators with their DOT; validators secure the relay chain and check the connected chains' blocks. Connected chains pay for this shared security in DOT.
Where things stand (November 2026)
In 2025 DOT holders voted to cap total supply at 2.1 billion, replacing the previous open-ended inflation with a declining issuance schedule.
Risks to know
- Its connected-chain model is complex and competes with many other approaches.
- DOT's price is volatile.
Buying and storing it
If you decide to buy, use a regulated exchange you reach directly, check fees with the true cost calculator, and store long-term holdings in a wallet you control, with the seed phrase written down offline. Read how to buy crypto safely. This page isn't a recommendation to buy.
Questions
Who founded Polkadot?
Gavin Wood, an Ethereum co-founder.
Can I stake DOT?
Yes, by nominating validators or joining a nomination pool, with lock-up periods.
Compare Polkadot
See it side by side, with live data: Polkadot vs. Cosmos Hub. Track it in the private portfolio tracker.
Where to next
Sources
Facts checked against the sources listed, as of November 4, 2026. Live price data by CoinGecko. Educational only; not financial advice. How we write and check pages.