Relay Chain

What is Relay Chain?

The Polkadot network uses a core chain called the Relay Chain. A heterogeneous multi-chain and translation architecture called Polkadot enables the integration of both private and public blockchains into a single network.

The Relay Chain has purposefully limited capability, therefore smart contracts are not supported, for instance. Coordinating the whole system and its associated parachains, which is the term for the multiple distinct layer 1 blockchain that operate concurrently on the network, is the primary task at hand.

The Relay Chain is validated by all the Polkadot validators using native DOT tokens from the network. A variety of transaction types are supported by the architecture, enabling validators to engage with governance processes, parachain auctions, and nominated proof-of-stake (NPoS).