It is with great joy that we offer a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been patiently waiting for the launch of Neo X. Today, we are thrilled to announce that the Neo X MainNet is officially live!

Neo X is designed to be compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and employs the Delegated Byzantine Fault Tolerance (dBFT) consensus mechanism. We have also established an interoperability layer through a native cross-chain bridge between Neo X and Neo N3, ensuring seamless asset transfers.

The release of Neo X marks a significant milestone for Neo, complementing our already impressive N3 feature set and providing a gateway to the broader blockchain ecosystem. The symbiotic relationship between N3 and X allows assets to move seamlessly between the two chains, opening up exciting new possibilities for developers and ecosystem participants alike. Neo has always prided itself on meeting developers where they are, and we can now meet EVM developers just as easily as C#, Python, Java, and Go developers.

After careful internal and external audits (with reports to be published shortly), we are proud that Neo X MainNet is now live. We welcome developers to join our ecosystem.

Read below to learn more details about Neo X:

dBFT Governance 

For the initial period following MainNet launch, the Neo X network is going to be driven by StandBy validators to ensure consensus process stability and proper network connectivity. StandBy nodes are implemented to participate in the consensus process when there are not enough candidates elected by the network users, or there are not enough votes collected to start the elected governance management. 

StandBy validator nodes include four nodes managed by NGD (Neo Global Development), one node managed by AxLabs team, one node managed by Neo SPCC team, and one node managed by Lazynode. NGD, AxLabs, Neo SPCC, and Lazynode played a pivotal role in the development and security check of Neo X, and that's why these entities are the ones chosen to bootstrap the network. All StandBy nodes are properly maintained to provide a stable and reliable block acceptance process. 

After a few weeks of stable operation, the transition of governance from StandBy to elected validators is planned. We welcome you to participate in Neo X MainNet governance by registering as a candidate and earning enough votes to join the elected validators list. Please, refer to the governance page for more information on running a consensus node on MainNet.

Ethereum Virtual Machine compatibility

The Neo X MainNet node version is based on the v1.13.11 Geth node implementation with the Shanghai hardfork supported as the latest one from the list of newly-added Ethereum forks. In other words, Neo X node is fully compatible with all Ethereum VM features up to the Shanghai fork. It should also be noted that we’re currently working on integration of the Deneb and Cancun Ethereum upgrades and are planning to roll them on MainNet with a Neo X node version based on Geth v1.14+ once it has been properly tested.

Enveloped transactions

We continue our work on the pre-announced anti-MEV mechanism which includes enveloped transactions and dBFT process modification. It is important this feature is carefully implemented and well-tested, thus enveloped transactions are not a part of the initial MainNet Neo X node release. However, we’ve prepared a ground for a smooth and compatible network upgrade to enable the anti-MEV extension upon completion.

Native bridge

The native bridge is the interoperability layer between Neo N3 (NeoVM) and Neo X (EVM), enabling seamless transfer of tokens and data. The term "native bridge" emphasizes the integration of contracts and functionalities at Neo X genesis as a precompile, making them essential parts of the network's foundation. Key highlights of the native bridge launch include:

• Bidirectional bridging of assets: Seamless movement of GAS and NEP-17/ERC-20 tokens between networks, improving liquidity and providing flexibility to dApp users. While GAS is a permanent asset in the native bridge, other tokens are added through a registration process managed manually by bridge governance members to ensure security and stability. For more information on this process, contact our team members on Discord.

• Bridge validators and relayer: The bridge is operated by seven validators: two by NGD, three by AxLabs, one by Neo SPCC, and one by Lazynode. The relayer is operated by NGD. Validators ensure the validity of bridging operations, while the relayer is responsible for bringing these operations on-chain.

• Bridge governance: Initial members are NGD, AxLabs, and Neo SPCC.

The GAS token, generated solely on Neo N3, plays a vital role on Neo X. Therefore, the ability to bridge assets is essential for maintaining economic and operational continuity across both platforms. 

The bridge can be accessed through the following link: xbridge.neo.org 

Get started

Developers are invited to start developing and deploying on Neo X right away. We encourage you to be among the first to launch your projects on the Neo X MainNet.

For those looking to get the ball rolling, here are several resources you may find helpful:

• Developer Documentation：https://docs.banelabs.org/ 

• Faucet: https://neoxwish.ngd.network/ 

• Join Our Discord Community: https://discord.gg/neosmarteconomy 

The months ahead

With the release of the Neo X MainNet, we are excited to embark on an engagement wave period, featuring a range of programs designed to bolster the ecosystem. 

• The US $20 million Neo X Elevate Program will drive ecosystem growth, providing essential resources and support to projects and developers.
  
  

• A revamped NeoPod Ambassador Program will be launched to harness talent within our community, fostering leadership and innovation.
  
  

• We’re taking Neo X on the road to showcase our advancements at major events, such as WebX in Tokyo, Korean Blockchain Week in Seoul, and Token2049 in Singapore, and beyond.
  
  

• Additionally, other initiatives will be  implemented as part of a program to engage developer communities worldwide through partnerships, offering online and offline events, virtual workshops, information sessions, offline events, hackathons, and more. 

More details of these initiatives will be disclosed soon and will be complemented by various campaigns aimed at better engaging users and projects within the Neo X ecosystem, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic community. 

We invite you to dive into the Neo X ecosystem and explore the exciting opportunities it offers. Your engagement and feedback are invaluable as we continue to innovate and grow.