Binance's Polygon Upgrade Aims to Bridge Traditional Finance and Blockchain

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, announced it will support the Polygon (MATIC) network upgrade and hard fork, signaling a strategic move to bolster blockchain infrastructure and institutional adoption. According to the official statement, Binance will halt token deposits and withdrawals for the Polygon (POL) network starting at 17:00 UTC+8 on December 9, 2025, to facilitate the upgrade. The network is set to execute the hard fork at block height 80,084,800, anticipated to occur at 18:00 UTC+8 on the same date.

This development aligns with Binance's broader efforts to integrate real-world assets (RWAs) into its ecosystem. Earlier this year, the exchange began accepting tokenized RWAs such as BlackRock's BUIDL fund as off-exchange collateral for institutional clients. Binance's Head of VIP & Institutional, Catherine Chen, emphasized that such integrations address institutional demand for interest-bearing stable assets while enabling compliance-driven capital deployment. "Our institutional clients have asked for more interest-bearing stable assets they can hold as collateral while actively trading on our exchange," Chen stated, highlighting the synergy between tokenized assets and on-chain finance.

Polygon, a key player in blockchain scalability solutions, has also expanded its partnerships to solidify its role in global financial infrastructure. Revolut, the European fintech giant, recently announced support for Polygon-based stablecoin remittances in the UK and EEA. By leveraging Polygon's low-cost, high-speed network, Revolut enables users to transact in USDC, USDT, and POL with minimal fees. Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, noted that such integrations "represent exactly the kind of real-world utility for everyday people we've been building toward," underscoring the growing convergence of traditional finance and blockchain.

The upgrade is part of Binance's ongoing commitment to supporting tokenized assets and blockchain interoperability. BUIDL, BlackRock's first tokenized fund issued on a public blockchain, has already gained traction across multiple networks, including Ethereum and Solana. Robbie Mitchnick, Global Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock, described the integration as a milestone in "bringing foundational elements of traditional finance into the on-chain finance arena," reflecting a broader industry shift toward tokenization.

Binance's decision to back Polygon's upgrade also comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny and market volatility in the crypto sector. While Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies have faced significant price corrections in 2025, institutional-grade platforms like Binance continue to prioritize infrastructure upgrades and RWA integration to attract long-term investors. Sarah Song, Head of Business Development at BNB Chain, highlighted that Polygon's "scalable, low-cost, and secure financial applications" align with Binance's vision for a robust on-chain ecosystem.