Who owns the most Polkadot crypto? DOT token attracting interest for its ESG credentials
Polkadot (DOT) is a blockchain network designed to connect multiple blockchains within a single, interoperable ecosystem. Its focus on scalability, sustainability and governance has continued to attract interest from both retail and institutional participants.
Recent events, including the Sub0 Tour in November 2025, have highlighted Polkadot’s progress in interoperability and sustainability, reinforcing its standing as a 'green' blockchain with scalable architecture and strong developer engagement.
So, who owns the most DOT – and how does its ownership distribution affect Polkadot’s tokenomics?
What is Polkadot and how does it work?
Founded by Dr Gavin Wood, co-founder of Ethereum and creator of the Solidity programming language, Polkadot is maintained by the Web3 Foundation as an open-source project. Its goal is to connect independent blockchains into a unified network, enabling data and asset transfers between chains – a key step toward a decentralised Web 3.0 ecosystem.
Polkadot’s architecture has three core components:
- Relay Chain – the main network where transactions are finalised. It separates transaction validation from block production, enhancing efficiency and throughput.
- Parachains – independent blockchains linked to the relay chain. Each can be customised for a specific use case while benefiting from shared security.
- Bridges – connections that enable interoperability with other blockchains such as Ethereum (ETH), Bitcoin (BTC), and Cosmos (ATOM).
The network’s native token, DOT, serves two main purposes:
- Governance – holders can propose and vote on protocol updates.
- Staking – users nominate validators who secure the network and earn DOT rewards.
This structure allows Polkadot to scale efficiently while maintaining decentralisation and security.
Polkadot’s tokenomics
According to CoinMarketCap, Polkadot’s market capitalisation is around $4.45bn, with a circulating supply of 1.63bn DOT. The token has no fixed maximum supply, meaning it is inflationary by design.
As of November 2025, the distribution of DOT tokens is as follows:
- Web3 Foundation – 30%
- SAFT investors – 5%
- Private sale investors – 3.4%
- Future sale – 11.6%
- Auction investors – 50%
This allocation reflects Polkadot’s long-term strategy to balance funding, governance, and network growth through parachain auctions and community-driven projects.
Source: CoinLore, 19 November 2025
Who owns the most Polkadot?
Polkadot’s ownership remains highly concentrated, with a significant portion of DOT held by a relatively small number of large wallets.
These large holders may include early investors, validator nodes, institutional custodians, or parachain treasuries.
As with many blockchain ecosystems, token concentration can influence governance, though Polkadot’s on-chain voting system is designed to balance this by weighting influence through staking participation, not just token volume.
Source: CoinCarp, 19 November 2025.
ESG credentials and institutional interest
Polkadot’s environmental performance has become a defining factor in its broader appeal.
Its Nominated Proof of Stake system consumes significantly less energy than traditional PoW networks, making it one of the more efficient blockchain protocols.
Institutional investors have shown continued interest in DOT for its ESG profile, with some funds now incorporating 'green blockchain' portfolios. Polkadot’s modular and scalable design supports efficient upgrades and reduces energy use per transaction, increasing its appeal among sustainability-focused organisations.
The Sub0 Tour 2025 further showcased Polkadot’s advancements in interoperability, sustainability, and on-chain governance, strengthening its credibility in ESG-driven investment discussions.
As a result, DOT remains frequently cited in independent analyses of sustainable blockchain projects.
The bottom line
Polkadot continues to stand out as a technically advanced blockchain, offering an energy-efficient and interoperable framework that appeals to both developers and institutional participants focused on ESG alignment.
Its growing recognition as a sustainable network and its institutional traction underscore its role in the evolving digital asset landscape.
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FAQ
Who created Polkadot?
Polkadot was created by Dr Gavin Wood, co-founder of Ethereum and creator of the Solidity programming language. The project is maintained by the Web3 Foundation, which supports its open-source development and long-term vision for a decentralised Web 3.0. Polkadot’s initial coin offering (ICO) raised around $144 million, providing the resources to launch the network in 2020 and support its early technical development.
Is Polkadot secure?
Security on the Polkadot network is maintained through its Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS) consensus model, which aims to combine strong protection with energy efficiency. The network relies on four main participant roles – validators, nominators, collators, and fishermen – each performing a specific function in verifying transactions, maintaining accuracy and identifying potential network issues. This structure contributes to robust governance and helps mitigate the risk of centralisation, while keeping Polkadot among the more energy-efficient blockchain networks.
What makes Polkadot unique?
What sets Polkadot apart is its multi-chain architecture, which enables multiple blockchains to operate together within a unified ecosystem. Through parachains and bridges, developers can create custom blockchains that interact seamlessly with other networks, allowing for greater scalability, reduced congestion and lower transaction costs. Combined with its ESG-aware design and on-chain governance model, Polkadot continues to be recognised as a scalable, interoperable and energy-efficient blockchain framework.
Can I trade Polkadot CFDs on Capital.com?
Yes. You can trade Polkadot (DOT) as a contract for difference (CFD) on Capital.com, allowing you to speculate on price changes without owning the cryptocurrency itself. CFDs enable you to go long if you think the price will rise, or short if you expect it to fall.
CFD trading uses leverage, which can magnify both profits and losses. DOT’s price can be highly volatile, so it’s essential to understand how CFDs work and the risks involved before trading.