The blockchain revolution isn't just about technology—it's about redefining how value is created, shared, and governed. At the heart of this transformation lies a fundamental shift: from centralized platforms that extract user value to decentralized ecosystems where users are stakeholders. In a recent conversation, Xu Ke, founder of ONO—a blockchain-based social network—shared her vision for a new kind of digital society built on fairness, community governance, and sustainable economic models.
As one of the early pioneers in the blockchain space, Xu Ke began her journey in 2013 while studying in the UK, mining Bitcoin with classmates. By 2014, she had sold her 20,000 BTC holdings at a low price—a decision she reflects on as a lesson in timing and belief. Since then, she has ventured into multiple blockchain projects, including the social app ERA and the blockchain game Cryptodogs. In November 2017, she launched ONO, aiming to build a decentralized social ecosystem that puts power back into users' hands.
In March 2018, ONO announced its campaign for one of EOS’s 21 super nodes. But rather than remain dependent on another chain, Xu Ke decided to go further: build her own. The result? ONO Mainnet, a public blockchain built on EOS.IO software but enhanced with improved consensus and governance mechanisms.
Why Build a New Blockchain?
One might ask: why create a new public chain when established ones like EOS already exist?
Xu Ke’s answer is both strategic and philosophical.
“When you become a major DApp with millions of users, you hold more power than the underlying chain. Why serve someone else’s ecosystem when you can build your own?”
This isn’t just about technical independence—it’s about user sovereignty. Centralized platforms have long exploited creators: suppressing organic reach unless paid for promotion, monetizing user attention without fair compensation, and locking users into walled gardens.
ONO aims to reverse this model through a tokenized economy where every participant—content creators, contributors, moderators—earns value based on their contribution.
The ONO Ecosystem: A Three-Layer Architecture
Xu Ke envisions ONO as a decentralized value network composed of three interconnected layers:
1. ONO Mainnet (Infrastructure Layer)
Built on EOS.IO but upgraded with custom improvements, this layer serves as the foundational blockchain. It supports smart contracts, secure transactions, and decentralized identity (DID) via ONO Citizen KYC.
2. ONO SNS (Application & Traffic Layer)
This is the first DApp deployed on ONO Mainnet—and also its primary traffic engine. More than just a social network, ONO SNS integrates:
- Multi-currency wallet
- Instant messaging
- Community forums
- Content voting systems
- Decentralized identity verification
It acts as the gateway to the entire ONO ecosystem.
3. ONO Ecosystem Incubator (Innovation Layer)
This top tier includes:
- ONO DAC (Decentralized Autonomous Community)
- Application clusters
- Developer grants and incubation programs
- A built-in DApp distribution platform
This structure ensures that growth isn’t accidental—it’s engineered for sustainability.
Governance That Puts Power in Users’ Hands
One of the most critical flaws in existing blockchains like EOS, according to Xu Ke, is governance centralization.
While EOS uses Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS), its constitutional framework is largely shaped by core developers and early stakeholders—many of whom are financially motivated rather than ideologically aligned.
ONO takes a different approach.
The ONO DAC: A Truly Decentralized Governance Model
ONO DAC is composed of:
- 208 global volunteers
- 51 super partners
- Grassroots community leaders (city, campus, and theme-based partners)
Each member earns influence not just by holding tokens, but by contributing meaningfully—moderating discussions, organizing events, or developing tools.
Key innovations:
- Daily emission of 13 million tokens, with 2% allocated to DAC operations
- No central admin—decisions are made collectively
- Reputation-weighted voting system combining token balance, activity score, real-name verification, and cross-platform credibility
“We don’t want rich kids controlling discourse because they bought early. We want contributors to shape the future.”
This model fosters organic leadership emergence—what Xu Ke calls “a real-world experiment in self-governance.”
👉 See how decentralized communities are rewriting the rules of digital ownership—learn more now.
Improving on EOS: Technical & Economic Upgrades
While ONO Mainnet leverages EOS.IO’s robust infrastructure, it introduces key enhancements:
| Feature | EOS | ONO Mainnet |
|---|---|---|
| Voting Mechanism | 1 account = 30 votes | 1 account = 20 votes (max) |
| Node Count | 21 active nodes | 51 nodes |
| Voting Threshold | No cap on alliance control | Alliances capped below 25% total votes |
| Token Distribution | Pre-mined + inflation | Gradual release with user-first allocation |
| Governance Focus | Code-driven | Community-driven |
By limiting vote concentration and increasing node count, ONO reduces collusion risks and enhances network resilience.
Additionally, its economic model emphasizes long-term equilibrium:
- Total supply: 70 billion ONOT tokens
Allocation:
- 200 billion: Team (vested)
- 200 billion: Ecosystem incentives
- 350 billion: Investors
- Annual inflation: ~5 billion new tokens (distributed to users and contributors)
- Burn mechanism: Activated via community vote starting Year 5
This design avoids early market flooding and prioritizes user adoption over speculative trading.
FAQs: Understanding ONO’s Vision
Q1: Is ONO Mainnet independent from EOS?
Yes. While built on EOS.IO software, ONO Mainnet operates as a standalone blockchain with its own consensus rules, token (ONOT), and governance structure. ONO SNS runs exclusively on ONO Mainnet.
Q2: How does ONO prevent vote buying and collusion?
Through structural safeguards:
- One identity per person (KYC-enforced)
- Vote caps per account
- Reputation-based influence weighting
- Community-led audits within ONO DAC
These reduce incentives for bribery and increase accountability.
Q3: What makes ONO SNS different from traditional social media?
Unlike platforms like Facebook or Twitter, ONO SNS ensures:
- No algorithmic suppression of content
- Direct monetization for creators via tips and engagement rewards
- Ownership of digital identity across apps
- Censorship-resistant communication
Users aren’t products—they’re participants.
Q4: When did ONOT token distribution begin?
Token emissions started on April 15th. Users began receiving tokens immediately through participation, though trading has not yet begun—ensuring early stability.
Q5: Can third-party developers build on ONO?
Absolutely. The ONO ecosystem encourages external DApp development. Developers gain access to:
- Built-in user base via ONO SNS
- Token distribution channels
- Funding through the ONO incubator program
ONO provides both infrastructure and traffic—two of the biggest hurdles in Web3.
Q6: What role does profit motive play in blockchain?
Xu Ke acknowledges that “profit” isn’t inherently bad—it drives innovation. But unchecked speculation leads to inequality. The key is balancing incentive with fairness through well-designed mechanisms like reputation scoring and progressive token release.
The Road Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
Xu Ke believes 2025 will be a turning point in the public chain landscape.
“The real battle isn’t between chains—it’s for users. Whoever builds the best applications wins.”
She draws parallels with mobile operating systems: while Android and iOS dominate, it was apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram that defined user behavior—not the OS itself.
Similarly, the winning blockchain won’t necessarily be the most technically advanced—it’ll be the one with the strongest ecosystem of users, developers, and use cases.
And unlike many projects that start with fundraising, ONO took a user-first approach: distribute tokens widely before any formal sale, ensuring broad ownership and minimizing speculation.
Final Thoughts: Rebuilding Trust Through Technology
Blockchain isn’t just code—it’s a social experiment in trustless collaboration. Projects like ONO are testing whether large-scale communities can govern themselves fairly, transparently, and sustainably.
By combining technical rigor with deep community engagement, Xu Ke is building more than a blockchain. She’s building a new kind of digital society—one where value flows where it belongs: to the people who create it.
As we move toward an increasingly decentralized future, one truth remains clear:
The next era of the internet won’t be controlled by gatekeepers—it will be shaped by communities.
And ONO is betting that when given the tools, users will build something far greater than any corporation ever could.
Core Keywords:
ONO Mainnet, decentralized social network, blockchain governance, token economy, DPoS improvement, community-driven blockchain, ONO DAC, public chain competition