What is Polkadot 2.0: A roadmap interoperability and scalability

Polkadot 2.0 is the term used to describe the fresh vision for the future of the Polkadot network, a protocol that connects different blockchains to send value and data between networks that didn’t work together before, like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

While it might sound like a pure technical process, Polkadot 2.0 isn't tied to one specific event. Instead, it represents a series of changes that will expand the blockchain's capabilities. 

Founder Gavin Wood describes Polkadot 2.0 as an adaptable and widespread computing resource when it rolls out. He touts the upgrade as bringing in new features designed to boost scalability, lower entry barriers, and better meet market needs.

Polkadot's journey started with the release of its whitepaper in November 2016 and hit a major milestone in 2023 with the launch of its final codebase. The roll out set the stage for rapid expansion, including the addition of 50 interconnected chains and more than 200 projects using its SDK. Each of Polkadot's projects is built on its own distinct blockchain, known as a parachain.

That said, Polkadot 2.0 is packed with key technical upgrades like Async Backing, Agile Coretime, and Elastic (NYSE:ESTC) Scaling. These changes are expected to make the network more scalable and improve performance, leading to faster transactions and better resource management.

Beyond the technical side, the upgrade also focuses on user experience with a refreshed website, updated messaging, and a new visual identity. 

The impact of Polkadot 2.0 is already being felt across the crypto industry, with projects like Mythical Games and Frequency choosing Polkadot as their platform. 

More specifically, the ecosystem is now turning its attention to applications, with Agile Coretime introducing a more adaptable way to allocate blockspace. This gives developers the flexibility to buy blockspace based on their exact needs, allowing the system to manage computational resources more efficiently by responding to real-time demand.

At its core, Polkadot is a Layer 0 solution specifically designed to address blockchain interoperability, providing developers with a platform to create both applications and chains. Its architecture includes a main Relay Chain, responsible for the network’s security, consensus, and interoperability, alongside multiple parachains. These parachains are application-specific Layer 1 blockchains, each capable of having its own tokens.

To explain the upcoming shift, Wood compares the move to Polkadot 2.0 to a pancake business. Imagine a company that makes its own sugar, water, milk, and eggs, but focuses solely on selling pancakes. In this analogy, the pancakes represent 'parachains,' and the pancake company represents Polkadot 1.0.