Agile Coretime

A feature of Polkadot 2.0 that enables flexible access to Polkadot’s computing power for efficient, cost-effective building and deployment.

What is Agile Coretime?

Agile Coretime is a way for projects on Polkadot to get the compute power or blockspace they need when they need it. Instead of being locked into long-term slots, teams can rent or buy execution time flexibly via Coretime marketplaces such as RegionX or Lastic.

How does Agile Coretime work?

Polkadot splits network processing power into “cores.” Agile Coretime lets projects access these cores in flexible increments, either through pay-as-you-go or in bulk. Coretime is bought or sold via a marketplace using DOT, and can be assigned dynamically based on actual demand. This system is integrated with the Polkadot Chain (aka Relay Chain) and works with app-specific rollups and smart contract platforms.

Why does Agile Coretime matter to Polkadot?

Agile Coretime enables efficient resource allocation across the Polkadot network, eliminating high entry barriers and upfront costs, allowing projects of all sizes to access Polkadot's premium blockspace and scale their resource usage based on actual demand. By supporting secondary markets for coretime trading, it creates a dynamic and accessible ecosystem that prevents resource waste and fosters broader network growth.

Benefits of Agile Coretime

• Scalable resources: Teams only pay for what they use, scaling up during high demand (like NFT drops or game launches) and down when things are quiet.
• Lower barrier to entry: Smaller projects get access to Polkadot's premium blockspace without expensive commitments.
• Flexible rollup deployments: Enables seamless launch and scaling of rollups.