Polkadot – Blockchain to change the rules of the game?

Maciej Zieliński

26 Aug 2021
Polkadot – Blockchain to change the rules of the game?

Polkadot is a blockchain protocol that combines multiple specialized blockchains into one unified network. Until now, all blockchain protocols worked separately, the developers of Polkadot set out to change this by aiming to create an internet of interoperable blockchains for a decentralized network. 

Founded in 2020 by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood, among others, Polkadot has joined the blockchain aimed at developing cryptocurrency ecosystems. However, it differs from protocols such as Ethereum, EOSIO and COSMOS in several key technological innovations. 


Why it is such an important solution? 

Currently, developers designing pioneering decentralized systems must build them virtually from scratch. This means that their talent, time and resources are invested in developing various competing networks rather than creating a common standard. Polkadot's goal is to enable developers to create value on all blockchains, not just one.  

How does Polkadot work?

To achieve this, the protocol was designed to support two types of chains: the main chain, where transactions are permanent, and so-called paracheins - chains created by users. Importantly, paracheins can have virtually any number of uses while remaining attached to the main chain. Thus, they benefit from the level of security it provides. 

Key elements 

Main chain (Polkadot Relay Chain)

It is in this chain that transactions are finalized. To increase speed, this chain separates the addition of new transactions from their validation. As a result, the protocol is able to process more than 100 transactions per second. 

To keep the network in agreement about the state of the system, the Relay Chain network uses a variation of proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus called nominated-proof-of-stake (NPoS).

Parachains 

Parachains are blockchains created and attached by Polkadot users. They use the relay chain to validate transactions. 

Bridges

They allow the Polkadot network to work with other blockchains. Currently working on bridges connecting Polkadot with blockchains such as Ethereum or Bitcoin, which would allow token exchange without its centralization. 

The biggest advantages of Polkadot

Among the biggest advantages of the protocol, the developers mention:

Scalability 

Because the ecosystem is a partitioned multi-chain network, it can process multiple transactions in parallel across multiple chains. This eliminates the bottleneck effect found in legacy networks, making it easier to scale the ecosystem.

Community Management 

At Polkadot, it is the communities that manage their network as they see fit and have a significant impact on the development of the protocol.

Polkadot facilitates collaboration

Polkadot provides inter-chain communication, which allows users to transfer information between chains. 

Specialization 

Each parachain can have a novel design optimized for a specific application

Not sure which protocol will work best for your project? Make an appointment for a free consultation: contact@nextrope.com. Our experts will help you choose the technology solution that perfectly fits your needs.

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Blockchain for Creators: Secure and Sustainable Infrastructure

Miłosz Mach

07 Nov 2025
Blockchain for Creators: Secure and Sustainable Infrastructure

In today’s digital creative space, where the lines between art and technology are constantly blurring, projects like MARMALADE mark the beginning of a new era - one where creators can protect their work and maintain ownership through blockchain technology.

For Nextrope, being part of MARMALADE goes far beyond implementing features like screenshot blocking or digital watermarking. It’s about building trust infrastructure - systems that empower creators to thrive in the digital world safely and sustainably.

A new kind of blockchain challenge

Cultural and educational projects come with a completely different set of challenges than typical DeFi systems. Here, the focus isn’t on returns or complex smart contracts - it’s on people: artists, illustrators, educators.

That’s why our biggest task was to design secure yet intuitive infrastructure - lightweight, energy-efficient, and accessible for non-technical users exploring Web3 for the first time.

“Our mission wasn’t to build another financial protocol. It was to create a layer of trust for digital creators.”
— Nextrope Team

Security that stays invisible

The best security is the kind you don’t notice.
Within MARMALADE, we focused on making creators' protection seamless:

  • Screenshot blocking safeguards artworks viewed in browsers.
  • Dynamic watermarking helps identify unauthorized copies.
  • Blockchain registry ensures every proof of ownership remains transparent and immutable

“Creators shouldn’t have to think about encryption or private keys - our job is to make security invisible.”

Sustainability by design

MARMALADE also answers a bigger question - how to innovate responsibly.
Nextrope’s infrastructure relies on low-emission blockchain networks and modular architecture that can easily be adapted for other creative or cultural initiatives.

This means the technology built here can support not only artists but also institutions, universities, and educators seeking to integrate blockchain in meaningful ways.

Beyond technology

For Nextrope, MARMALADE is more than a project — it’s proof that blockchain can empower culture and creators, not just finance. By building tools for digital artists, we’re helping them protect their creativity and discover how technology can amplify human expression.

Plasma blockchain. Architecture, Key Features & Why It Matters

Miłosz Mach

21 Oct 2025
Plasma blockchain. Architecture, Key Features & Why It Matters

What is Plasma?

Plasma is a Layer-1 blockchain built specifically for stablecoin infrastructure combining Bitcoin-level security with EVM compatibility and ultra-low fees for stablecoin transfers.

Why Plasma Blockchain Was Created?

Existing blockchains (Ethereum, L2s, etc.) weren’t originally designed around stablecoin payments at scale. As stablecoins grow, issues like congestion, gas cost, latency, and interoperability become constraints. Plasma addresses these by being purpose-built for stablecoin transfers, offering features not found elsewhere.

  • Zero-fee transfers (especially for USDT)
  • Custom gas tokens (separate from XPL, to reduce friction)
  • Trust-minimized Bitcoin bridge (to allow BTC collateral use)
  • Full EVM compatibility smart contracts can work with minimal modifications

Plasma’s Architecture & Core Mechanisms

EVM Compatibility + Smart Contracts

Developers familiar with Ethereum tooling (Solidity, Hardhat, etc.) can deploy contracts on Plasma with limited changes making it easy to port existing dApps or DeFi, similar to other EVM-compatible infrastructures discussed in the article „The Ultimate Web3 Backend Guide: Supercharge dApps with APIs".

Gas Model & Token Mechanism

Instead of forcing users always to hold XPL for gas, Plasma supports custom gas tokens. For stablecoin-native flows (e.g. USDT transfers), there is often zero fee usage, lowering UX friction.

Bitcoin Bridge & Collateral

Plasma supports a Bitcoin bridge that lets BTC become collateral inside smart contracts (like pBTC). This bridges the security of Bitcoin with DeFi use cases within Plasma.
This makes Plasma a “Bitcoin-secured blockchain for stablecoins".

Security & Finality

Plasma emphasizes finality and security, tuned to payment workloads. Its consensus and architecture aim for strong protection against reorgs and double spends while maintaining high throughput.
The network launched mainnet beta holding over $2B in stablecoin liquidity shortly after opening.

Plasma Blockchain vs Alternatives: What Makes It Stand Out?

FeaturePlasma (XPL)Other L1 / L2
Stablecoin native designusually second-class
Zero fees for stablecoin transfersrare, or subsidized
BTC bridge (collateral)only some chains
EVM compatibilityyes in many, but with trade-offs
High liquidity early✅ (>$2B TVL)many chains struggle to bootstrap

These distinctions make Plasma especially compelling for institutions, stablecoin issuers, and DeFi innovators looking for scalable, low-cost, secure payments infrastructure.

Use Cases: What You Can Build with Plasma Blockchain

  • Stablecoin native vaults / money markets
  • Payment rails & cross-border settlement
  • Treasury and cash management flows
  • Bridged BTC-backed stablecoin services
  • DeFi primitives (DEX, staking, yield aggregation) optimized for stablecoins

If you’re building any product reliant on stablecoin transfers or needing strong collateral backing from BTC, Plasma offers a compelling infrastructure foundation.

Get Started with Plasma Blockchain: Key Steps & Considerations

  1. Smart contract migration: assess if existing contracts can port with minimal changes.
  2. Gas token planning: decide whether to use USDT, separate gas tokens, or hybrid models.
  3. Security & audit: focus on bridge logic, reentrancy, oracle risks.
  4. Liquidity onboarding & market making: bootstrap stablecoin liquidity, incentives.
  5. Regulation & compliance: stablecoin issuance may attract legal scrutiny.
  6. Deploy MVP & scale: iterate fast, measure gas, slippage, UX, security.