Polkadot passed the 1721 referendum and officially launched 2.0 elastic expansion

This upgrade eliminates the parachain slot auction, enables flexible expansion, lowers the developer entry barrier, and aims to enable EVM compatibility, improve liquidity, and reduce high staking returns. DOT's annual inflation rate will be reduced to 3.1% in 2026. The Polkadot Hub and related liquidity initiatives are expected to launch in 2026.