Polkadot Moves User Activity to Asset Hub and Shortens Unbonding

Polkadot moved users’ balances, staking and governance activity to Asset Hub, while nominator unbonding fell to about two days, updating how users manage accounts and staking on the network.

The migration was completed on Nov. 4, 2025. The relay chain retains responsibility for network security and interoperability, while main account balances, staking and governance activity moved to Asset Hub.

Polkadot connects specialized blockchains, called parachains, through the relay chain. The relay chain coordinates block production and core scheduling, and provides shared security. Parachains can retain their own logic while using that security.

The chains can also communicate through Cross-Consensus Messaging (XCM), a system for sending messages across chains. This structure lets specialized networks operate within a shared system while keeping distinct functions.

Polkadot replaced its parachain auction system with Agile Coretime on Sept. 19, 2024. Projects can buy bulk coretime in DOT for 28 days, then split or resell the allocation. They can also purchase access one block at a time. Coretime gives a parachain time to use a relay-chain core for computing.

DOT is used for governance and staking, as well as to buy coretime. A separate governance change set a 2.1 billion DOT supply cap and scheduled issuance reductions every two years, each equal to 13.14% of the remaining gap to the cap. The referendum specified an initial 53.6% emissions cut for March 14, 2026; the first issuance cut took effect on March 14, 2026.

A change enacted through referendum #1910 shortened nominators’ unbonding period from 28 days to two eras, or about two days. The shorter wait applies to new requests after the upgrade. Requests already underway kept the former 28-day schedule, and validator conditions differ.