Sustainability Indicator

Polygon is one of the most widely adopted scaling ecosystems for Ethereum, designed to enhance blockchain efficiency by delivering faster transactions, lower costs, and reduced environmental impact. As a multi-chain framework, Polygon supports a range of scaling solutions, including its Proof-of-Stake (PoS) chain, zero-knowledge rollups, and modular aggregation (AggLayer), while maintaining full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This versatility has made Polygon a preferred platform for decentralized applications (dApps), decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), gaming, and enterprise use cases. The native token, POL, replaced MATIC on a 1:1 basis in September 2024, following a community-approved migration designed to unify token utility across all Polygon chains. POL now powers the entire ecosystem by serving as the medium for transaction fees, ensuring that users can pay for operations and interactions on the network. It is also central to staking, with validators using POL to secure the network, process transactions, and earn rewards for their participation. In addition, POL grants token holders the ability to take part in governance, giving the community a voice in shaping protocol upgrades and parameter changes. Beyond these functions, POL includes a structured emission model that funds validator rewards, community initiatives, and ecosystem growth, ensuring the sustainability of the Polygon network over the long term. Polygon consistently ranks among the most used blockchain networks, hosting thousands of dApps and processing millions of daily transactions. By combining Ethereum-level security with significantly lower fees and faster block times, Polygon has become a critical scaling layer that supports both retail adoption and institutional deployment of blockchain applications. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where POL is used within our platform.

USD Coin (USDC) is a fully reserved, regulated stablecoin designed to maintain a stable value of 1:1 with the U.S. dollar. Issued by Circle Internet Financial in partnership with regulated financial institutions, USDC is backed by cash and short-term U.S. government securities, with reserves subject to regular attestation by independent accounting firms. This transparent structure ensures that every USDC in circulation is matched by a corresponding dollar-denominated asset held in reserve, providing users with confidence in its stability and reliability. USDC is deployed across multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, Avalanche, and Arbitrum, making it one of the most versatile and widely adopted stablecoins in circulation. Its design allows for fast, low-cost, and predictable transactions while maintaining compatibility with both crypto-native applications and traditional financial infrastructure. USDC has become a cornerstone of digital markets, facilitating activities such as payments, trading, decentralized finance (DeFi), remittances, and settlement between institutions. The stablecoin plays an essential role in bridging traditional finance with the blockchain economy. It enables near-instant settlement across geographies, reduces dependence on legacy payment systems, and provides a trusted unit of account for decentralized applications. Its adoption by exchanges, DeFi protocols, fintechs, and enterprises underlines its role as one of the most important digital dollars in circulation, with billions transacted daily across centralized and decentralized platforms. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where USDC is used within our platform.

Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) is a tokenized version of Bitcoin that exists on Ethereum and other EVM-compatible blockchains. Each WBTC is fully backed 1:1 by Bitcoin, with the underlying BTC held in custody by regulated custodians and verified through a transparent system of merchants and proof-of-reserve audits. This structure ensures that the token always maintains direct parity with Bitcoin, giving users confidence that every WBTC in circulation is collateralized by actual BTC stored off-chain. By representing Bitcoin as an ERC-20 token, WBTC enables the liquidity and market strength of the world’s largest cryptocurrency to be used within decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. It can be seamlessly integrated into DeFi protocols, allowing Bitcoin holders to participate in activities such as trading, lending, borrowing, yield farming, and liquidity provision without having to sell their BTC or leave it idle outside of Ethereum-based ecosystems. WBTC has become a core instrument in DeFi because it combines the established value and liquidity of Bitcoin with the flexibility and programmability of Ethereum and other smart contract networks. This interoperability extends Bitcoin’s utility beyond simple transfers, making it usable in a broad range of decentralized financial services while maintaining the transparency and security of the proof-of-reserve model. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where WBTC is used within our platform.

Wrapped Ether (WETH) is the ERC-20 representation of Ether (ETH), the native currency of the Ethereum blockchain. While ETH is required to pay for gas and transaction fees on Ethereum and EVM-compatible networks, it is not itself an ERC-20 token. This creates compatibility limitations when interacting with decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts that are designed to handle ERC-20 assets. To solve this, ETH can be “wrapped” into WETH through smart contracts that lock the underlying ETH and issue an equivalent amount of WETH at a 1:1 ratio. WETH can then be used across the entire ERC-20 ecosystem, allowing Ether to function seamlessly within decentralized exchanges, liquidity pools, and DeFi protocols. The process is fully reversible, enabling holders to unwrap WETH back into ETH at any time. WETH has become one of the most widely used tokens in decentralized finance because it extends ETH’s utility beyond its role as a gas token. It allows Ether to be paired with other ERC-20 assets in trading pools, used as collateral in lending markets, and integrated into automated yield strategies. By standardizing Ether into the ERC-20 format, WETH ensures interoperability, simplifies smart contract design, and provides deeper liquidity for the broader Ethereum ecosystem. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where WETH is used within our platform.

Wrapped Solana (WSOL) is the ERC-20 representation of Solana’s native token (SOL) on Ethereum and other EVM-compatible blockchains, made possible through the Wormhole cross-chain protocol. While SOL is the native asset of the Solana blockchain, it is not directly compatible with Ethereum’s ERC-20 token standard. Wrapping SOL into WSOL enables Solana’s value and liquidity to be transferred and used within Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps), decentralized exchanges (DEXs), and DeFi protocols. Each WSOL is backed 1:1 by SOL locked on the Solana blockchain, with the bridging process managed by Wormhole smart contracts and associated custodial infrastructure. This ensures that users can convert between SOL and WSOL at equal value, maintaining a direct link between the wrapped asset and its underlying token. WSOL extends Solana’s ecosystem into EVM environments, allowing holders to participate in Ethereum-based DeFi without selling or swapping into other tokens. By bridging liquidity between blockchains, WSOL plays a role in enhancing cross-chain interoperability and expanding the use cases of Solana within multi-chain finance. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where WSOL is used within our platform.

Uniswap (UNI) is the governance token of the Uniswap protocol, one of the largest decentralized exchanges (DEXs) on Ethereum and a pioneer of the automated market maker (AMM) model. Uniswap allows users to trade tokens directly from their wallets without intermediaries, using liquidity pools rather than order books. This design has made Uniswap a cornerstone of decentralized finance (DeFi), providing deep liquidity and transparent, permissionless trading across thousands of token pairs. The UNI token was introduced in 2020 to decentralize the decision-making process of the protocol. Holders of UNI can propose and vote on governance measures that determine the future of the platform, including fee structures, liquidity incentives, and protocol upgrades. Governance takes place on Snapshot and on-chain, and the token has become a key tool for aligning the community around Uniswap’s long-term development. Unlike some protocol tokens that combine governance with staking or reward mechanisms, UNI’s primary function remains governance, ensuring that the protocol evolves according to the collective will of its users and stakeholders. Uniswap is one of the most widely integrated DeFi protocols, with its smart contracts forming the backbone of countless wallets, aggregators, and institutional trading platforms. The UNI token ensures that the protocol remains community-driven, transparent, and adaptable in a competitive and fast-moving market environment. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where UNI is used within our platform.

Aave (AAVE) is the governance and utility token of the Aave protocol, one of the most widely used decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms for borrowing, lending, and liquidity provisioning. Launched originally as ETHLend in 2017 and rebranded as Aave in 2020, the protocol enables users to deposit digital assets to earn yield, borrow assets against collateral, or access flash loans without intermediaries. With deployments across Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, and other networks, Aave has become a foundational liquidity layer in DeFi. The AAVE token plays several active roles in securing and governing the protocol. Holders can participate in governance by proposing and voting on decisions that shape the platform’s development, risk parameters, and future upgrades. Beyond governance, AAVE can be staked in the Aave Safety Module, a reserve that backstops the protocol against shortfall events such as liquidity or security incidents. Stakers in the Safety Module earn rewards in return for providing this protection, creating an additional incentive layer that aligns community members with the resilience of the protocol. Aave’s governance and staking design ensures that its large, global user base participates directly in risk management and protocol evolution. This decentralized model has helped Aave become one of the largest and most trusted platforms in DeFi, with billions in liquidity supplied across multiple blockchains. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where AAVE is used within our platform.

Chainlink (LINK) is the native token of the Chainlink decentralized oracle network, which provides secure and reliable connections between blockchain smart contracts and off-chain data, APIs, and payment systems. By enabling smart contracts to access real-world information such as market prices, weather data, and cross-chain messages, Chainlink has become one of the most widely integrated infrastructures in Web3. Its services are used by hundreds of decentralized applications across DeFi, NFTs, insurance, gaming, and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. The LINK token is central to the operation of the network. Node operators are compensated in LINK for providing data services, while staking mechanisms align incentives and increase the reliability of oracle responses. Stakers commit LINK as collateral to back the performance of oracle nodes, helping to ensure accurate and tamper-resistant data delivery. Governance discussions around Chainlink’s future development take place within the community, but the token’s primary live utility lies in payments for services and staking within the oracle network. By creating a decentralized data layer for blockchains, Chainlink has established itself as essential infrastructure for trust-minimized applications. Its ability to connect on-chain logic with off-chain events expands the scope of what smart contracts can achieve, reinforcing the reliability and scalability of decentralized systems. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where LINK is used within our platform.

The Sandbox (SAND) is the native utility token of The Sandbox, a decentralized virtual world and gaming platform built on the Ethereum blockchain. The platform allows users to create, own, and monetize interactive experiences and digital assets, including land parcels (LAND), avatars, and in-game items, all secured through blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The Sandbox has emerged as a leading metaverse project, blending gaming, user-generated content, and digital ownership within a shared virtual economy. The SAND token serves multiple live functions across the ecosystem. It is used as the medium of exchange for in-game activities, enabling users to purchase LAND, trade NFTs, and access services within the platform. SAND also powers staking mechanisms that reward holders and secure the ecosystem, while giving participants the ability to earn passive income and contribute to liquidity pools. In addition, SAND functions as a governance token, allowing holders to participate in community decision-making through a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that guides the future development of the platform. By combining creative tools, user ownership, and decentralized governance, The Sandbox has positioned itself as a pioneer of the metaverse economy. The SAND token ensures that the platform’s value flows back to its community of creators, players, and stakeholders, creating an open and participatory model for digital worlds. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where SAND is used within our platform.

Curve DAO (CRV) is the governance and utility token of the Curve Finance protocol, a leading decentralized exchange (DEX) optimized for stablecoin and pegged-asset trading. Curve Finance uses an automated market maker (AMM) model designed to provide highly efficient swaps with minimal slippage, particularly for assets with similar value such as stablecoins or wrapped tokens. The CRV token serves several functions within the Curve ecosystem. Holders can participate in protocol governance by voting on proposals that influence liquidity pool parameters, fee structures, and incentive mechanisms. CRV can also be locked to obtain vote-escrowed CRV (veCRV), which grants enhanced governance rights and boosts liquidity provider rewards, aligning incentives between users and the long-term success of the protocol. Curve is one of the largest liquidity providers in decentralized finance, integrated with many other protocols to serve as a core layer of DeFi infrastructure. Its governance structure, powered by CRV, ensures that decisions are made in a decentralized, community-driven way while rewarding participants for contributing liquidity and stability to the ecosystem. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where CRV is used within our platform.

The Graph (GRT) is the native token of The Graph protocol, a decentralized indexing and query system that enables developers to efficiently access blockchain data. Often described as the “Google of Web3,” The Graph organizes and serves data through open APIs called subgraphs, which are used by decentralized applications (dApps), wallets, and analytics platforms across DeFi, gaming, and NFT ecosystems. By removing reliance on centralized indexing providers, The Graph ensures data availability is transparent, censorship-resistant, and decentralized. The GRT token is central to coordinating and securing the network. Indexers (node operators) stake GRT to provide indexing and query services, Curators signal valuable subgraphs by depositing GRT, and Delegators contribute by staking their tokens with trusted indexers. In return, participants earn rewards in GRT for their role in maintaining data accuracy and availability. This design ensures that incentives are aligned across the ecosystem and that data services remain high quality and tamper-resistant. The Graph has become a foundational layer of Web3 infrastructure, powering thousands of applications and smart contracts across Ethereum, Polygon, and many other chains. Its decentralized approach to organizing blockchain data not only improves efficiency for developers but also strengthens the integrity of decentralized applications by ensuring they rely on verifiable and trust-minimized data sources. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where GRT is used within our platform.

Balancer (BAL) is the governance and utility token of the Balancer protocol, a decentralized exchange (DEX) and automated portfolio manager built on Ethereum and EVM-compatible blockchains. Balancer enables users to create customizable liquidity pools that can hold multiple tokens with varying weightings, going beyond the typical 50/50 pool design used in many AMMs. This flexibility allows Balancer to function both as a decentralized trading venue and as a tool for automated asset management, where liquidity pools act like self-balancing index funds. The BAL token plays a central role in governing and incentivizing the ecosystem. Holders can participate in governance by voting on proposals that guide protocol upgrades, fee structures, and ecosystem incentive programs. BAL can also be locked into vote-escrowed BAL (veBAL), which grants enhanced governance rights and allows holders to influence how liquidity mining rewards are distributed across pools. This model encourages long-term alignment between token holders, liquidity providers, and protocol developers while creating a competitive “governance market” for liquidity incentives. Balancer has become an important liquidity infrastructure layer within DeFi, powering integrations with aggregators, vaults, and institutional trading systems. Its governance system, supported by BAL and veBAL, ensures that decisions remain community-driven while its unique pool mechanics allow for innovation in decentralized portfolio management and liquidity provision. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where BAL is used within our platform.

Stargate Finance (STG) is the native token of the Stargate protocol, a cross-chain liquidity transport system built on LayerZero infrastructure. Stargate enables seamless transfers of assets across multiple blockchains with guaranteed finality, deep liquidity, and unified liquidity pools. This design addresses one of the biggest challenges in DeFi - moving assets between chains without relying on centralized bridges or fragmented liquidity. The STG token powers the governance and incentive mechanisms of the protocol. Holders can participate in governance by voting on proposals related to protocol upgrades, fee structures, and ecosystem development. STG can also be staked or locked in voting escrow (veSTG), which grants governance rights and boosts rewards for liquidity providers, aligning incentives between long-term participants and the growth of the protocol. Stargate is integrated across many leading blockchains and decentralized applications, making it a core infrastructure layer for cross-chain DeFi. By unifying liquidity and enabling native asset transfers, it strengthens interoperability across ecosystems while reducing risks associated with traditional bridging mechanisms. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where STG is used within our platform.

Wrapped Staked Ether (wstETH) is a tokenized version of stETH, which itself represents Ether (ETH) staked through the Lido protocol. Lido is the largest liquid staking platform for Ethereum, allowing users to participate in securing the Ethereum network via proof-of-stake while maintaining liquidity over their staked assets. When users stake ETH with Lido, they receive stETH, which accrues staking rewards directly into its balance over time. The wrapped version, wstETH, provides a non-rebasing ERC-20 representation of stETH. Instead of the token balance increasing daily as rewards accrue (as with stETH), wstETH maintains a fixed balance that appreciates in value relative to ETH and stETH. This design makes it easier to integrate into DeFi protocols, liquidity pools, and smart contracts, as applications do not need to account for changing balances. stETH can be wrap into wstETH or unwrap it back into stETH at any time on a 1:1 basis. wstETH has become one of the most widely used liquid staking derivatives in decentralized finance. It is integrated into lending markets, decentralized exchanges, and yield strategies, enabling staked ETH to be deployed across DeFi while still accruing staking rewards. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where wstETH is used within our platform.

Polytrade (TRADE) is the native token of the Polytrade protocol, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform focused on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and trade finance. Polytrade connects businesses with global liquidity providers by enabling invoices and receivables to be tokenized and financed on-chain. This model reduces friction in traditional trade finance by offering faster settlement times, greater transparency, and broader capital access. The TRADE token is used to power activity within the ecosystem through staking and incentive mechanisms. Holders can stake TRADE in flexible pools on the Polygon network to earn rewards, helping to support liquidity and align participants with the platform’s growth. In addition, TRADE functions as an incentive layer for ecosystem contributors, liquidity providers, and partners who participate in the expansion of Polytrade’s RWA marketplace. Polytrade has positioned itself as one of the pioneers in RWA tokenization, actively developing solutions in areas such as tokenized credit, supply chain finance, and stablecoin-based settlements. By combining blockchain transparency with real-world use cases, the protocol enables businesses and investors to interact in a more efficient, secure, and globally accessible way. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where TRADE is used within our platform.

Orbs (ORBS) is the native token of the Orbs network, a decentralized Layer-3 infrastructure designed to enhance the functionality of existing Layer-1 and Layer-2 blockchains. Orbs provides execution services and middleware for decentralized applications (dApps), enabling developers to deploy features such as decentralized governance, automated execution, and cross-chain interoperability without compromising security or scalability. The ORBS token serves multiple roles within the ecosystem. It is used for staking by validators and delegators to secure the network and ensure honest participation in the consensus process. ORBS also powers the protocol’s incentive model by rewarding validators and ecosystem contributors. By providing decentralized execution as a service, Orbs supports a wide range of applications in DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 infrastructure. Its architecture is designed to complement existing blockchain layers, offering scalability and flexibility for developers while maintaining a decentralized, community-governed network. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where ORBS is used within our platform.

Swarm Markets (SMT) is the governance and utility token of Swarm Markets, a regulated decentralized finance (DeFi) platform operating under the supervision of the German financial regulator BaFin. Swarm Markets combines compliance-grade standards with decentralized infrastructure, enabling trading and investment in both crypto-native assets and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) such as equities, commodities, and gold. The SMT token allows holders to participate in protocol governance, voting on proposals that shape the platform’s development, fee structures, and incentive models. SMT is also used to reward liquidity providers and participants who contribute to the growth and stability of the ecosystem. This governance structure aligns the interests of users, developers, and regulators, ensuring Swarm Markets remains both community-driven and institution-ready. Swarm Markets continues to expand its offering by integrating advanced technologies like cross-chain interoperability and tokenization frameworks, while maintaining regulatory oversight. This positions the platform as a unique bridge between traditional financial markets and decentralized finance. For sustainability reporting, our kilowatt-hour (kWh) disclosure applies specifically to the Polygon network, where SMT is used within our platform.