What is PolkaVM? What does it mean? What progress has been made? What challenges remain? A long thread to help you understand Polkadot's latest execution environment—PolkaVM 🧵
1️⃣ What is PolkaVM?
PolkaVM is a new smart contract execution environment launched by @Polkadot, built by @paritytech, aiming to run more complex and efficient smart contracts on the native chain.
It is not a simple compatibility layer, but a 'virtual machine engine' rewritten from scratch based on the RISC-V architecture.
2️⃣ Three key features of PolkaVM:
✅ Uses modern register architecture (non-traditional stack-based).
✅ Supports multi-dimensional gas measurement: execution time / inter-contract / ZK computations.
✅ Seamless compatibility with the Solidity toolchain (Remix, Hardhat, MetaMask).
It means: writing contracts without changing tools, yet performance leaps to a new generation.
3️⃣ The significance of PolkaVM is not just 'ability to run', but:
🚀 Empower Polkadot to truly have the capability of a 'smart contract home'.
🧠 Provides an execution foundation for complex logic such as ZK, AI Agents, etc.
🔄 Provides a progressive upgrade path from contracts to parachains.
This is a key step in Polkadot's evolution towards 'real usability'.
4️⃣ Currently, PolkaVM has been deployed on the Westend testnet and has completed multiple real contract systems.
✅ @PaperMoonIO has migrated Uniswap V2 to PolkaVM.
✅ @Mimir_global team successfully deployed the Safe multi-signature custody system.
✅ Full integration of Remix / Hardhat / MetaMask, experience close to the mainnet.
Not a demo, but practical application.
5️⃣ Why is this called a 'jump from 0 to 1'?
Because this is not 'EVM compatible', but has rewritten the execution layer base: architecture modernization (RISC-V).
🔧 Tool availability (native compatibility with Ethereum toolchain).
🔗 Seamless integration with Polkadot's native features (AssetHub).
6️⃣ Of course, PolkaVM is not yet perfect:
❌ The development toolchain is still incomplete (missing SDK / CLI / frontend templates).
❌ The contract ecosystem is still in the verification period (lacking stablecoins, lending, NFT protocols).
❌ Incentive mechanisms have not been disclosed, ecological momentum is yet to be activated.
But this is also a window of opportunity for small teams.
7️⃣ Why is now a good time?
Because it hasn't 'rolled out' yet, which means:
👀 All deployments are visible.
⚡ The earlier the project goes live, the more likely it is to gain official support and first-mover advantages.
🏁 Front-runners are more likely to leave ecological labels.
PolkaVM is a 'truly runnable' VM, why not try it yourself👇
RPC: westend-asset-hub-eth-rpc.polkadot.io
Chain ID: 420420421
8️⃣ The birth of PolkaVM is not a 'new narrative', but a complete evolution of the underlying architecture.
It is the first domino in Polkadot's reconstruction of the execution layer, backed by a comprehensive upgrade path focused on performance, modularity, and developer experience.
The future of Web3 requires stronger chains, not more chains.
9️⃣ True Alpha, never relies on narrative to win.
PolkaVM speaks through deployment and compatibility, paving the way with performance and potential.
If you are a developer, now is a good time to get involved.
If you are a developer, welcome to follow PolkaWorld and witness the evolution of Polkadot together.
Learn more in the latest article on PolkaWorld(Important Progress! PolkaVM has completed the crucial leap from 0 to 1! True Alpha, never relies on narrative to win!)
