Polkadot chain security can be created and maintained without touching Substrate (although there are currently limited alternative software options for doing so), and chains created using Substrate do not need to be connected to Polkadot or Kusama. Essentially, Substrate is an SDK with which you can create secure chains, and Polkadot is a tool for securing chains and making them communicate with each other. While Substrate can be used to create any kind of blockchain, not just Polkadot parachains, connecting to Polkadot provides many benefits, including built-in security, cross-chain interoperability, and access to the growing Polkadots platform, applications, and more ecosystem. The fact that Substrate is the underlying blockchain structure we use to create the Polkadot relay chain is a testament to its performance and flexibility.
Substrate is the main blockchain SDK used by developers to create the parachains that make up the Polkadot network. Substrate allows developers to create at every level, forming the foundation of Polkadot. The design of the Polkadot ecosystem allows the parachain and parathread to interact and communicate with each other, allowing the exchange of data and resources, as well as connecting to external chains outside the network, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, using bridges. Polkadot also allows you to create custom chains that can quickly connect to the network, and applications developed by these custom chains can communicate with each other.
Notably, Polkadot is a multi-chain network that acts as a hub for blockchain projects. It connects to these disparate networks and uses ultra-efficient infrastructure to ensure secure and fast transactions. Its independent heterogeneous multi-chain network purportedly enables developers to create and implement new projects easily, quickly and cost-effectively. Polkadots’ idea of an interconnected blockchain ecosystem attracts developers who want to use the blockchain community created by Polkadots to increase the visibility of their projects.
One such ecosystem that has gained popularity recently is Polkadot, a decentralized ecosystem that connects the entire network of different blockchains. Basically, it is an open source multi-chain protocol that supports the transfer of assets between chains. This feature of Polkadot makes multiple blockchains compatible with each other. Simply put, Polkadot is a multi-chain network that acts as a link between blockchain projects.
Polkadot operates differently from the Ethereum network, aiming to become a heterogeneous blockchain network. Polkadot and its Kusama canary net share the same design, consisting of a central link chain that coordinates the system and secures up to 100 chain guards. Parachains are independent blockchains hosted on the Polkadot platform. Parachains are sovereign blockchains that run in parallel on the Polkadot and Kusama networks.
In addition, Relay Chain secures the chain protection devices and paraflows in the Polkadots ecosystem using a “hub and spoke” model. Polkadot does not impose any restrictions on what chain protectors can do, except that they must be able to generate their own blocks for the link chain. Circuits are also connected to external networks via platform bridges. Since the relay chain is based on a substrate, any blockchain based on a substrate can easily connect to the network.
DeFi composability is based on shared security where all chain guards connected to the Polkadot forwarding chain benefit from the economic security provided by the forwarding chain validators. To make this interoperability a reality, Dr. Gavin Wood, founder of Polkadot and co-founder of Ethereum, created a zero layer known as Relay Chain, which supports 100 parachains, independent blockchains that operate in parallel with a high level of security.
Polkadot, the popular open source blockchain platform, has announced the release of its first parachains, short for Parallel Chains, which aim to improve interoperability between multiple blockchains. Today, after five years of technical development, Polkadot is proud to launch the first parachains on its network, separate blockchains that run in parallel within the Polkadot ecosystem. Polkadot is a platform that provides interoperability beyond simple tokens.
Polkadot is currently working on expanding bridges to other blockchains in the ecosystem so that tokens can be exchanged without a central authority. Polkadot provides blockchain projects with speed, access to other chains, and security. In addition, Polkadot guarantees security and fast transactions that attract the attention of users and investors.
Smart contracts in the Polkadot ecosystem are implemented by DOT and the Polkadots Interoperability and Scalability Exchange, which offers the potential for implementation in many real-world applications including Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Furthermore, the Polkadot project can provide an additional foundation for other future innovations to ensure compatibility with the entire blockchain ecosystem. As more and more parachain teams connect more and more solutions to Polkadot, the web vision of building a more diverse, decentralized and interoperable Internet (Web3) will become a reality.
Kusama, who will be a researcher on the Polkadot network, has completed the first of many auctions for parachain slots as the process for his first parachain is under active review. The winner of the first auction (changing the candle format) is Karura, a DeFi hub that will run on the Polkadot ecosystem as an Acala counterpart, even using the same code.
Kusama could be an alternative if Polkadot’s chain becomes too exclusive for new designs or doesn’t have chain guard slots available. Additionally, Kusama is run by native KSM token holders and will continue to exist as an independent community blockchain long after Polkadot’s mainnet launch. The Polkastarter platform makes it easy for projects to raise capital from a decentralized, interoperable environment powered by Polkadot.
At Parity, we are seeing a growing number of DeFi teams building solutions using Substrate blockchain development framework, and many of these teams are building the Polkadot ecosystem. Some teams choose to deploy their infrastructure on DeFi chains in the Polkadot ecosystem rather than building their own custom parachain. Many of these projects compete for a parachain slot tied directly to the Polkadot link chain.
They will be able to rent a slot on Polkadots main blockchain Relay Chain for up to 96 weeks. They will also easily connect to other projects on Polkadot and link to external networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum. We have seen at least half a dozen projects build liquid staking solutions locally or through bridges to other chains, making Polkadot potentially the most popular blockchain ecosystem for liquid staking.
Polkadot is a blockchain protocol designed to support multiple custom-built blockchains in a single unified network. Polkadot: A network protocol that allows the transfer of arbitrary data over the blockchain. Acala: A DeFi hub and decentralized stablecoin called aUSD that allows users to send and receive USD via any Polkadot-related blockchain.