Polkadot Evolves: The "Hard Pressure" Model and the 2.1 Billion DOT Cap

Polkadot is set to undergo a major fiscal transformation following the approval of the "Hard Pressure" proposal. This shift moves the network toward a more structured economic framework, designed to enhance long-term sustainability and market predictability.

Key Changes to the Economic Model

The new strategy introduces several pivotal constraints to Polkadot’s monetary policy:

• Fixed Supply Cap: For the first time, DOT supply will be limited to a maximum of 2.1 billion tokens.
• Biennial Issuance Reductions: Starting March 14, 2026, the annual issuance of new tokens will decrease by 13.14% every two years.
• Targeted Inflation: The model aims to stabilize the annual inflation rate at approximately 3.11%.

Vision and Community Support

The framework, which saw significant design input from founder Gavin Wood, focuses on "fiscal predictability." By implementing a "Capped & Stepped" supply model, Polkadot aims to balance the need for network security and staking rewards with the necessity of emission control.

The community has shown strong alignment with this vision. The referendum passed with a decisive 1.89 million DOT in favor, signaling broad confidence in Polkadot’s ability to maintain a secure and rewarding ecosystem under these new parameters.

December 2025, Cryptoniteuae