Aion is the digital asset of The Open Application Network (OAN). It is used to secure and access The OAN, enabling the creation and hosting of Open Apps. Aion is a cryptocurrency token serving as the native digital asset and economic strength of the network, aimed at facilitating interoperability between different blockchains.
Aion operates as a multi-tier blockchain network designed to enable interoperability between different blockchains. It comprises three main layers: the communication layer, the consensus layer, and the application layer. Through a combination of consensus mechanisms (including Proof of Work), Aion's unique bridging protocol allows communication between disparate blockchains. The Aion Virtual Machine is similar to the Ethereum Virtual Machine but is faster and integrates components of the Java Virtual Machine, enabling efficient cross-chain smart contracts.
Aion's primary use cases include facilitating cross-chain interoperability, enabling decentralised applications (dApps) to operate across multiple blockchains, and providing enterprise solutions for connecting legacy systems with blockchain networks. Real-world applications may include banking applications for cross-chain crypto transfers, decentralised finance (DeFi) leveraging interoperability, and supply chain systems integrating multiple blockchains. Aion is also involved in partnerships and projects that include enterprise solutions and the development of custom dApps within the ecosystem.
Aion was founded by Nuco in 2016, spearheaded by CEO Matthew Spoke and other team members with robust backgrounds in blockchain and corporate engineering. Significant milestones include its ICO in June 2017 raising $20 million and the mainnet release in April 2018. The token originally started as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum and later transitioned to Aion's own platform, reflecting its technological evolution aimed at managing interchain interactions and robust applications. The project has seen phases of development including the release of their Network Economics Paper and scaling initiatives.