The community has approved Referendum 1710, a proposal to cap the total supply of its native token, DOT, at 2.1 billion.
With 81% of voters in favor, this marks a major shift in how the network manages inflation and long-term incentives.
Why a Limited Token Supply Matters?
Until now, Polkadot had no supply ceiling. Around 1.6 billion DOT exist today, with roughly 120 million new tokens minted each year. Under that system, supply would have ballooned to more than 3.4 billion DOT by 2040. By setting a hard cap, the community is signaling that predictability and scarcity should guide the future of the network.
The new model steps down DOT issuance every two years, timed to Pi Day on March 14. By 2040, the circulating supply is projected to reach around 1.91 billion, well below what would have been created under the old system. The shift means emissions fall steadily while the value of existing DOT could benefit from reduced inflation.
🚨 DOT supply → capped at 2.1 Billion 🚨
The Polkadot DAO has signaled support for a hard cap, by passing Referendum 1710 on the “Wish For Change” track, with 81% in favor.
Today ⤵️
→ 1.6 Billion DOT exist
→ 120M DOT/year minted each year
→ No supply capWhat Ref. 1710… pic.twitter.com/OJMtDumAZC
— Polkadot (@Polkadot) September 14, 2025
For investors, this change resembles moves in traditional markets where central banks adjust money supply to preserve trust and stability. In the crypto world, Bitcoin set the standard with its 21 million cap. Polkadot is now adopting its own version of scarcity, which could make DOT more attractive to long-term holders.
Scarcity Meets Long-Term Alignment
Polkadot’s decision reflects a broader trend across blockchain networks. As projects mature, they are rethinking tokenomics to align better with user growth, governance, and market confidence. Ethereum, for example, introduced its burn mechanism through EIP-1559, which permanently removes some ETH from circulation. That move helped the asset become more deflationary in certain conditions.
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— Polkadot (@Polkadot) September 12, 2025
By capping DOT supply, Polkadot’s DAO is sending a clear message: incentives must align with sustainable growth. The vote shows how decentralized governance can shape economic models in real time, giving token holders a direct role in shaping the network’s future.
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