How To Transfer MATIC to POL

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Polygon’s migration from MATIC to POL marks a pivotal evolution in the Polygon 2.0 roadmap, designed to unlock greater scalability, interoperability, and network efficiency. As the ecosystem transitions, token holders must understand how to properly transfer MATIC to POL based on where their assets are held—whether on Polygon PoS, Ethereum, or zkEVM.

This comprehensive guide walks you through each scenario, ensuring a smooth upgrade process while maintaining full control of your digital assets.

Understanding the MATIC to POL Migration

The rebranding from MATIC to POL isn’t just symbolic—it reflects a strategic shift toward a more modular, interconnected blockchain ecosystem. While existing MATIC tokens will be upgraded to POL on a 1:1 basis, the process varies depending on the network.

Key networks involved:

Let’s break down what you need to do in each case.

Transferring MATIC to POL on Polygon PoS

If your MATIC is held on the Polygon PoS chain, the migration to POL is fully automatic. No action is required on your part for the token upgrade.

👉 Learn how to verify your upgraded POL balance in seconds.

However, even after the upgrade completes, many wallets—including MetaMask—may still display your balance as "MATIC" due to cached token symbols. Here's how to fix that:

Steps to Update Token Symbol in MetaMask:

  1. Open MetaMask and ensure you're connected to the Polygon Mainnet.
  2. Click the three dots (⋯) next to "Polygon Mainnet" and select Edit.
  3. In the network settings, locate the Currency Symbol field.
  4. Change it from MATIC to POL.
  5. Save the changes.

After refreshing, your wallet should now reflect POL as the correct ticker symbol.

⚠️ Note: This change only affects display settings. Your tokens are already upgraded at the protocol level.

Once updated, your wallet interface will accurately represent your POL holdings, aligning with the new branding across decentralized applications (dApps) and exchanges.

Migrating MATIC to POL on Ethereum

For users holding MATIC on the Ethereum network, manual migration is required via the official Polygon Portal Interface.

Since MATIC on Ethereum exists as an ERC-20 token (often acquired through exchanges), it does not auto-upgrade like PoS-based tokens.

Step-by-Step Migration Process:

  1. Visit the Polygon Portal (link removed per guidelines).
  2. Connect your wallet (e.g., MetaMask) and ensure it’s set to Ethereum Mainnet.
  3. Navigate to the "Hop On" section for upgrading MATIC to POL.
  4. Enter the amount of MATIC you wish to upgrade.
  5. Review the associated gas fees and approve the transaction.
  6. Confirm the Upgrade prompt in your wallet.

The system will swap your MATIC for POL at a 1:1 ratio and credit the new tokens to your wallet on the destination network.

👉 See real-time migration success rates and avoid common errors.

✅ Tip: If POL doesn’t appear immediately in your wallet, manually add the POL contract address for Ethereum:

  • Contract: 0x45c32fA6DF82ead1e2EF74d17b76547EDdFaFF89
  • Symbol: POL
  • Decimals: 18

This ensures visibility and compatibility with DeFi platforms and analytics tools.

Handling MATIC on Polygon zkEVM

Transferring MATIC from Polygon zkEVM requires an additional bridging step before migration can occur.

Unlike PoS, zkEVM does not support direct auto-upgrades. You must first move your tokens back to Ethereum before proceeding with the upgrade.

How to Bridge MATIC from zkEVM to Ethereum:

  1. Go to the Polygon Bridge interface.
  2. Select zkEVM as the source network and Ethereum as the destination.
  3. Enter the amount of MATIC to transfer.
  4. Approve both the bridging and gas transactions in your wallet.
  5. Wait for confirmation—this may take several minutes due to finality delays.

Once your MATIC arrives on Ethereum, follow the steps outlined above to upgrade MATIC to POL via the Polygon Portal.

Can You Move MATIC Directly from zkEVM to Polygon PoS?

Technically, no native bridge currently allows direct transfers between zkEVM and PoS for this purpose. The official auto-upgrade window for PoS concluded on September 4, 2024, meaning any tokens not already on PoS by that date require manual migration through Ethereum.

Thus, bridging via Ethereum remains the most reliable path forward.

Other Migration Scenarios

Beyond individual wallets, several edge cases require special attention:

Centralized Exchanges (CEXs)

Holders using platforms like Binance or Coinbase generally don’t need to act manually. Most major exchanges have already implemented or will handle the MATIC to POL conversion automatically.

Always check official exchange announcements for timeline details and potential downtime during the transition.

Smart Contracts

Tokens locked in smart contracts behave differently:

Developers should audit their contracts post-migration to ensure continued functionality.

Liquid Staking Providers

Protocols offering liquid staking (e.g., Lido-style solutions) may temporarily suspend deposits or withdrawals during the migration period. However, staked MATIC tokens are expected to upgrade automatically once integrated into the new POL framework.

Check provider-specific documentation for exact procedures and timelines.

What Happens If You Don’t Migrate?

Failing to upgrade MATIC to POL—especially on Ethereum or zkEVM—can lead to serious consequences:

While legacy MATIC balances won’t disappear, un-upgraded tokens may become functionally obsolete within key parts of the ecosystem.

The Future Role of POL

Beyond being a simple ticker change, POL represents the next phase of Polygon’s vision. It will serve as the foundational asset powering:

With these advancements, POL is positioned to become one of the most integral assets in multi-chain Web3 infrastructure.

👉 Discover how early POL adopters gain staking advantages ahead of 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is transferring MATIC to POL free?

A: Upgrading MATIC on Polygon PoS is free. However, upgrades on Ethereum incur standard gas fees. Bridging from zkEVM also involves transaction costs.

Q: Will my wallet lose funds during the migration?

A: No. The migration is a safe, non-custodial process. As long as you control your private keys and follow official steps, your assets remain secure.

Q: Do I need to send my tokens anywhere for upgrading?

A: Only if they’re on Ethereum or zkEVM. Use the Polygon Portal for manual upgrades. On PoS, no sending is required—it’s automatic.

Q: Can I still use MATIC after the upgrade?

A: On PoS, MATIC effectively becomes POL. On other chains, un-upgraded MATIC may lose utility over time as dApps phase out support.

Q: When will staking with POL begin?

A: The new staking hub is scheduled for launch in 2025, enabling cross-chain staking across Polygon’s suite of networks.

Q: How do I know if my migration was successful?

A: Check your wallet balance post-upgrade. On Ethereum, verify receipt of POL tokens using a block explorer like Polygonscan or Etherscan.

Final Thoughts

The transition from MATIC to POL is more than a rebrand—it's a foundational upgrade preparing Polygon for mass adoption. Whether your tokens are in a personal wallet, on a centralized exchange, or locked in a smart contract, understanding your role in this migration is crucial.

By following the correct steps per network and staying informed about ecosystem developments, you ensure uninterrupted access to Polygon’s next-generation blockchain services.

Don’t wait—secure your position in Polygon 2.0 today by upgrading your MATIC to POL now.