The initial batch of parachain slot leases on Polkadot will end in October 2023, releasing previously-locked DOT tokens to their owners. This occasion provides original contributors with newfound flexibility in their token utilization, and there is a lot to do with them!
The Polkadot community has been building since the original parachain slot auctions ended, adding many applications for Defi and more. XCM innovation has integrated a number of parachains to interoperate, and moving tokens has never been easier. This means DOT holders have many new ways to use their dot across the ecosystem, including on Moonbeam applications.
Don’t forget, It’s crucial for individuals to conduct their own research and assess potential risks when engaging with the DApps mentioned in this post.
DOT on Moonbeam
Polkadot does not natively support the smart contracts required for applications to use the DOT token beyond network fees, native staking, crowdloans, and governance because it is designed primarily as a metaprotocol focused on securing and connecting the parachains. Parachains like Moonbeam support the DeFi applications that give token holders flexibility to use their DOT tokens in new ways. One way this cross-chain token use is made possible is with Polkadot’s cross-consensus messaging (XCM) functionality.
Moonbeam introduced the DOT token into its DeFi ecosystem through an XCM integration in 2022. Now operating as an XC-20, the xcDOT token aligns with the ERC-20 standards active on Moonbeam. This compatibility makes the DOT token available for use in all types of applications, including DeFi.
XC-20s represent cross-chain-ready assets available on Moonbeam and Moonriver comprised of Substrate-native assets like DOT and new assets originating from each parachain. These assets leverage precompiled smart contracts to harness the features of both the EVM and Substrate, effectively uniting these technologies within the Dotsama ecosystem.
In addition to the traditional utility options available on the Polkadot Relay Chain, such as staking, governance, and bonding for parachain crowdloans, this integration enables existing DOT holders to seamlessly deposit their tokens on Moonbeam via the DApp and actively engage in various activities like decentralized exchanges, liquid staking protocols, lending, and borrowing applications, marking the inaugural cross-chain capabilities rollout for all parachains with the advent of XCM on Polkadot.
More information about how to interact with cross chain assets on Moonbeam.
Where Can You Use Your Dot?
The following DApps currently support xcDOT on Moonbeam:
DEXes
Beamswap, is a Moonbeam-based DeFi hub providing liquidity for peer-to-peer transactions powered by standard, stable, & CL AMM. Beamswap is the only active perpetual exchange on Polkadot. On Beamswap holders can supply DOT tokens in combination with other cryptos as liquidity. Refer to Beamswap on X for more information.
Stellaswap is a decentralized exchange on Moonbeam with built-in bridging and user-focused liquidity services offering a range of DeFi options including DOT liquidity providing. Check out Stellaswap’s X for news and updates.
Gamma manages xcDOT liquidity pools. Refer to Gamma on X for details.
Liquid Staking
Bifrost is a Polkadot parachain that offers a liquid staking solution for xcDOT, and vDOT, the chains own derivative. You can transfer your DOT to Bifrost and stake it for vDOT, a yield-bearing DOT Derivative. Going even further, you can transfer your vDOT to Moonbeam where it can be put to work with DeFi protocols like StellaSwap. For more information about vDOT, check out Bifrost’s Medium Post on vDOT. Refer to Bifrost on X for news and updates.
Lending/Borrowing
Moonwell is the largest lending, borrowing protocol (by TVL) on Moonbeam and Moonriver. Moonwell offers an intuitive platform for managing digital assets. The application supports DOT in lending and borrowing. Refer to Moonwell on X for news and updates.
Prime Protocol is the first natively cross-chain prime brokerage that facilitates users in borrowing across blockchain networks while utilizing their complete cross-chain asset portfolio, promoting liquidity and versatility in decentralized finance. Prime offers DOT deposits on Moonbeam for cross-chain lending and borrowing. Find out more on Prime’s X.
What are Polkadot Parachain Slot Auctions and Crowdloans?
The crowdloan is an innovative funding mechanism crucial for projects within the Polkadot and Kusama ecosystems to secure the necessary tokens for acquiring a network slot. In this process, token holders contribute their tokens to support their preferred project’s bid for one of the auctioned slots.
When a project successfully secures a slot, the tokens contributed are locked for the lease period and later returned to the contributors upon its conclusion. Crowdloans are inherently reliant on active community engagement and support, playing a pivotal role in determining the victor in the competitive parachain slot auctions.
Moonbeam Crowdloan
The Moonbeam Network crowdloan was the biggest in history with over 1 billion USD in DOT contributions (at the time of the crowdloan). Moonbeam continues to be the most active parachain. The Network began its 3-phase launch process to Polkadot on December 17, 2021, receiving 35,759,931 Total in DOT contributions. These tokens will now be returned to the more than 200,000 participants who supplied them through the Moonbeam Foundation DApp, Binance, Kraken, and other exchanges and parachains that supported the crowdloan.
Since its initial parachain slot win, Moonbeam secured the 44th slot as a renewal to ensure uninterrupted operation for Moonbeam throughout a full lease period, extending into June 2025. This subsequent slot was self-funded, so there was no need for additional crowdloans.
If you participated in the Moonbeam Crowdloan via the Moonbeam dApp, your GLMR crowdloan rewards have been unlocked linearly over the 48 week parachain lease – and you likely still have more GLMR to claim. See this guide for claiming your GLMR crowdloan rewards. If you participated in the crowdloan via an exchange, the exchange will have more information about claiming your GLMR crowdloan rewards and receiving your unlocked DOT.
Please note that information related to claims, content, designs, algorithms, estimates and instructions in this blog post are provided for informational purposes only and nothing in this blog should constitute a solicitation for investment. Furthermore, certain information contained in this blog has been provided by third parties or otherwise reference third party products and services and is made available solely for general informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement of any third party product or service.
