The milestones on the way to mainnet
Polaris moves toward mainnet through five milestones, each one a concrete step with its own bar to clear.
A live public testnet
The Polaris testnet runs on a validator set that signs every block with quantum-resistant cryptography from genesis. Explore it in the testnet explorer and try a transfer with the faucet.
Five milestones: M1 to M5
Polaris reaches mainnet through five milestones, each one building on the last.
- M1 strengthens the protocol. It finalizes the protocol specification, extends archival and monitoring, and carries out legal review.
- M2 stands up a clean-slate testnet with the final token supply, the fee model and staking, proven by a sustained soak test.
- M3 validates the network at scale, with load campaigns at increasing scale, atomic delivery-versus-payment and escrow, and an external security review.
- M4 is mainnet genesis: a code freeze, the genesis ceremony, and the start of staking, followed by a sustained watch period.
- M5 grows the network after genesis, adding capacity and validators one measured step at a time.
What each milestone gates
Each milestone carries its own bar: a sustained soak test, load and scale tests, at least 20 independent node operators, an independent security review and an external legal opinion.
Mainnet genesis happens once, in a single step. The founder, the board and the CTO all sign off before it proceeds.
Product roadmap: five phases
Alongside the milestones above, the product roadmap moves through five phases, building outward from payments infrastructure to a global settlement and verification network.
Phase 1
Foundation
- Post-quantum network deployment
- Wallet ecosystem and core payment infrastructure
- Validator infrastructure and network explorer
Phase 2
Financial Infrastructure
- Identity and compliance frameworks
- Real-world asset issuance
- Payment settlement tools, fee sponsorship, and institutional access
Phase 3
Trust Registry Infrastructure
- Record template engine and verified issuer onboarding
- Encrypted record registration with recall and reissue
- API layer, access controls, and audit trail for issuance and recall
Phase 4
Institutional Adoption
- Expanded validator participation
- Institutional settlement tools and strategic partnerships
- RWA issuer onboarding, Trust Registry pilots, and payment partnerships
Phase 5
Global Settlement and Verification Network
- Large-scale payment processing and advanced asset tokenization
- Multi-jurisdiction support and public-sector verification
- Long-term post-quantum trust infrastructure
Frequently asked questions
What are the milestones on the way to Polaris mainnet?
Five milestones, M1 to M5: M1 strengthens the protocol, M2 stands up a clean-slate testnet with the final token model and staking, M3 validates the network at scale, M4 is mainnet genesis, and M5 grows the network afterward.
What does each milestone check before mainnet genesis?
A sustained soak test, load and scale tests, at least 20 independent node operators, an independent security review and an external legal opinion. Genesis happens once, in a single step.
Can I try Polaris now?
Yes. The public testnet signs with post-quantum cryptography from genesis and has a faucet and an explorer.
Related pages
Post-quantum security on Polaris
The cryptography behind Polaris, and how accounts stay upgradeable.
Polaris governance and the Genesis Council
How the Genesis Council governs Polaris.
Polaris testnet explorer
Browse live blocks, transactions and accounts on the public testnet.
Polaris testnet faucet
Claim 10 free test POLA and try a transfer yourself.
Explore Polaris now
Polaris Chain is live on testnet. Explore the network, read the documentation, and see what deterministic, post-quantum settlement feels like.