Polygon, formerly known as Matic Network, is a protocol and a framework for building and connecting Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks.

Its primary purpose is to address Ethereum's scalability issues by providing solutions that make transactions faster and cheaper.

Polygon achieves this by employing a combination of layer 2 scaling and sidechain technology. Layer 2 scaling involves conducting transactions off the main Ethereum chain, thus reducing congestion and gas fees. Sidechains are additional blockchains that run alongside the main Ethereum network, providing scalability by processing transactions independently.

By using Polygon, developers can create their own scalable blockchain networks that are compatible with Ethereum, enabling decentralized applications (DApps) to run more efficiently. This scalability solution aims to enhance the user experience on Ethereum by making transactions faster and cheaper, thereby attracting more users and developers to the ecosystem.