How to Move from MATIC to POL

Transferring MATIC to POL: Overview 

The process of upgrading or transferring your MATIC tokens to POL will vary depending on where your tokens are stored. Let’s look at the key scenarios: 

• On Polygon PoS: The migration happens automatically. You don’t need to take any action, but you might have to update the token symbol manually. 

• On Ethereum or zkEVM: You’ll need to migrate your MATIC manually using the Polygon Portal Interface. In some cases, bridging might be required to complete the process. 

Let’s dive into how each scenario works. 

MATIC on Polygon PoS 

If your MATIC tokens are stored on Polygon PoS (which acts as a layer-2 network on Ethereum), the migration will happen automatically. Your MATIC will be upgraded to POL without any need for manual steps. 

However, after the upgrade, you may still see “MATIC” displayed in your wallet instead of “POL.” To fix this: 

1. Go to your wallet settings. 
2. Select the Polygon mainnet. 
3. Click on the “three dots” or similar button to access “Settings.” 
4. From the Settings menu, find “Networks” and review the Polygon Mainnet details. 
5. You should see POL as the suggested token ticker. Select it, and your wallet will update, showing POL instead of MATIC. 

MATIC on Ethereum 

If your MATIC tokens are on Ethereum, you’ll need to migrate them manually to POL. Using the Polygon Portal Interface, this is possible. Follow these steps: 

1. Visit the Polygon portal. 
2. When prompted to upgrade MATIC to POL, select “Hop On.” 
3. Make sure the Ethereum mainnet is linked to your wallet. 
4. Choose the number of MATIC tokens you want to migrate. 
5. Review the gas fees, approve the transaction, and wait for the upgrade to be processed. 
6. After the transaction is approved, click “Upgrade” to swap MATIC for POL on a 1:1 basis. 

Once completed, POL tokens will appear in your wallet. If you don’t see the tokens, you may need to add the POL contract address manually. 

MATIC on Polygon zkEVM 

For users with MATIC on Polygon zkEVM, the process requires an extra step. You will need to bridge your MATIC tokens to Ethereum first, then follow the Ethereum migration steps. Here’s how: 

1. Use a bridge such as Polygon Bridge to transfer MATIC from zkEVM to Ethereum. 
2. Choose Ethereum as the destination and zkEVM as the source network. 
3. Approve the bridging transaction to move MATIC to Ethereum. 
4. After the tokens are on Ethereum, use the steps outlined above to upgrade MATIC to POL. 

Can You Transfer MATIC Directly from zkEVM to Polygon PoS? 

You might wonder why you need to move your tokens to Ethereum when you could simply upgrade them from zkEVM to Polygon PoS. The official migration date for automatic upgrades on Polygon PoS was September 4, 2024. Since that date has passed, there are extra steps involved, including bridging to Ethereum before upgrading. 

Other Migration Scenarios 

In addition to Polygon PoS, Ethereum, and zkEVM, there are other cases to consider for migrating MATIC to POL: 

• Centralized Exchanges (CEXs): If you hold MATIC on exchanges like Binance or Coinbase, the exchange may handle the migration for you. Keep an eye out for specific updates from your exchange. 

• Smart Contracts: MATIC held in smart contracts on Polygon PoS will automatically upgrade to POL. For tokens on Ethereum or zkEVM, you’ll need to manually update the contracts or migrate the tokens. 

• Liquid Staking Providers: Some staking programs might pause operations temporarily during the upgrade. Staked tokens will typically upgrade automatically. 

What Happens If You Don’t Migrate? 

If you choose not to migrate your MATIC to POL, you could lose access to certain functions within the Polygon ecosystem. POL will be essential for paying gas fees, staking, and other key activities. Failing to migrate on Ethereum or zkEVM could result in lost staking rewards or transaction issues. 

The Role of POL Moving Forward 

The upgrade from MATIC to POL isn’t just about a name change. POL is expected to play a significant role in securing Polygon’s Aggregation Layer and enhancing interoperability across the network. It will also power the upcoming staking hub, set to launch in 2025. To fully benefit from these features, it’s recommended to transfer your MATIC to POL as soon as possible.