Conflux: A High-Performance Layer 1 with Tree-Graph Technology and Chinese Research Roots

1. Conflux

Conflux Network is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain built on proprietary technology, designed to address the long-standing challenges of balancing transaction speed, scalability, and decentralization in traditional blockchain networks.

The project was founded in 2018 by Fan Long, with support from a research team connected to the academic background of Professor Andrew Yao (Yao Qizhi), a Turing Award winner from Tsinghua University. Conflux's core research focuses on blockchain infrastructure, consensus mechanisms, and distributed systems.

Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, which rely on traditional single-chain architectures, Conflux adopts a unique Tree-Graph Ledger structure. By enabling parallel block processing, the network improves transaction throughput while maintaining security through a hybrid Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism.

The native token of Conflux is CFX, which is used for paying network transaction fees, participating in staking, securing the network, and supporting ecosystem development. Due to its strong academic research foundation and focus on enterprise partnerships in Asia, Conflux has attracted significant attention in the Asian blockchain market and is regarded as one of the few public blockchain projects with a notable Chinese research background.

2.Conflux Technology: How Tree-Graph Ledger Improves Blockchain Performance

Traditional blockchains typically rely on a linear chain structure. For example, early versions of Bitcoin and Ethereum needed to select a single canonical chain from competing blocks, while discarded blocks could no longer contribute to network security or transaction throughput. Conflux's key innovation lies in its Tree-Graph Ledger, which incorporates parallel blocks that would otherwise be discarded into the overall ledger structure, improving the utilization of network resources.

Technically, Conflux represents the relationships between blocks through a Tree-Graph structure that combines a tree-based architecture with a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). In addition to referencing a traditional parent block, each block can also record references to other blocks, allowing the network to process multiple blocks in parallel instead of waiting for confirmation through a single chain.

At the consensus level, Conflux uses the GHAST (Greedy Heaviest Adaptive SubTree) chain selection algorithm instead of the traditional longest-chain rule. By calculating the accumulated computational power of entire subtrees, GHAST selects the main chain more efficiently and improves consensus performance. Meanwhile, Conflux adopts a hybrid Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus model. PoW provides decentralized security, while PoS enables finality confirmation and helps reduce potential attack risks.

In addition, the Conflux network includes two execution environments: Core Space and eSpace. Among them, eSpace is fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing developers to migrate Ethereum-based applications to Conflux with lower development costs and expand the ecosystem more efficiently.

3.Conflux Ecosystem: DeFi, Cross-chain, and Web3 Applications

As the mainnet ecosystem continues to develop, Conflux has gradually built a broader ecosystem covering DeFi, cross-chain infrastructure, liquid staking, and Web3 applications. Among these areas, decentralized exchanges, asset bridging solutions, and staking services have become key components of the Conflux ecosystem.

In the DeFi sector, Swappi is one of the major decentralized exchanges within the Conflux ecosystem. It uses an Automated Market Maker (AMM) model to provide users with token swaps and liquidity services. Nucleon also provides liquid staking services, allowing users to maintain asset liquidity while participating in network security and staking activities.

For cross-chain and Web3 infrastructure, Conflux has expanded into services such as stablecoin bridges and cross-chain asset transfers. For example, Meson focuses on enabling cross-chain asset movement and reducing barriers to liquidity flow between different blockchain networks.

Beyond DeFi, Conflux is exploring broader application areas, including NFTs, the metaverse, digital identity, and enterprise blockchain solutions. By leveraging its high-performance underlying infrastructure, Conflux aims to attract more developers and support the growth of diverse Web3 applications.

4. Conflux Gains Attention from Chinese Institutions

One of Conflux's key characteristics is its close connection with Chinese research institutions and industry partners. Behind the project is the Shanghai Tree-Graph Blockchain Research Institute, which has long focused on foundational blockchain research and uses Tree-Graph technology as a core approach to advancing high-performance blockchain infrastructure.

Unlike many public blockchain projects primarily targeting the global crypto market, Conflux places greater emphasis on the real-world adoption of blockchain technology across areas such as enterprise services, digital identity, cross-border payments, and asset digitization.

For example, Conflux collaborated with China Telecom on the Blockchain SIM (BSIM) initiative, which explores storing users' public and private keys securely within hardware SIM cards. The project aims to provide a more secure and compliant approach to connecting Web3 applications with digital assets.

In recent years, Conflux has continued exploring the integration of blockchain technology with the real economy. This includes collaborations with fintech company AnchorX and industry partners to test and promote offshore RMB stablecoin solutions in selected countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, providing infrastructure support for cross-border payments and Real-World Asset (RWA) applications.

Additionally, Conflux has partnered with cultural tourism organizations, including Hong Kong-listed tourism company Feiyang Group, to explore the integration of high-quality tourism resources with compliant stablecoins, supporting the digitization and global circulation of tourism-related assets.

It is important to note that China maintains strict regulatory policies regarding cryptocurrency trading. Therefore, Conflux is positioned primarily as a blockchain infrastructure provider rather than a project focused solely on cryptocurrency trading markets.

5.How to acquire CFX

Within the Conflux ecosystem, newly issued CFX is primarily generated through the network's consensus mechanisms, including Proof-of-Work (PoW) mining rewards and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) staking rewards. Miners can earn CFX rewards by participating in Conflux's PoW mining process, while regular users can stake CFX to participate in network governance and earn staking rewards. Since both mining and staking require certain technical expertise or capital investment, purchasing CFX through cryptocurrency exchanges remains a more convenient option for most users.

By purchasing CFX through centralized cryptocurrency exchanges such as Bitunix, users can access a trusted trading platform that supports buying crypto assets directly with fiat currencies or stablecoins such as USDT. Some platforms also support instant purchases via credit cards, further lowering the entry barrier for new users. Before trading, users typically need to register an account and complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification to comply with global Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) requirements. Bitunix provides a comprehensive compliance and risk management framework, using measures such as cold and hot wallet separation, multi-signature security, and real-time monitoring systems to help provide users with enhanced asset protection.

6.Conflux Milestones Timeline