Fan Long: Co-Founder of Conflux Network and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto

Fan Long is a renowned computer scientist and educator who has played a pivotal role in the development of blockchain technology. He is best known for co-founding Conflux Network, a high-throughput blockchain designed for decentralized applications. In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Long is also an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto and the founder and director of the Tree-Graph Blockchain Research Institute.

Early Career and Education

Born in China, Long attended Tsinghua University’s Yao Class, a prestigious program for gifted students interested in science and technology. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

During his early career, Long worked as an associate professor of computer science at the University of Toronto, specializing in system engineering, programming languages, and blockchain technology. His research and teaching contributions earned him recognition in both academia and the tech industry.

Founding Conflux Network

Inspired by their shared interest in blockchain technology, Long, together with Ming Wu and Yuanjie Zhang, founded the Conflux Network in 2018. The idea for Conflux originated from a research project undertaken by Long and a group of top researchers at Tsinghua University.

Initially, their goal was to write a paper on enhancing blockchain scalability, which they completed and published between 2ギリス語変換7 and 2018. The paper proposed a novel Tree-Graph architecture that could significantly increase transaction throughput compared to existing blockchains.

However, encouraged by investor friends and motivated by the potential applications of their research, the team decided to transform their academic work into a practical project. They secured initial funding, which marked the launch of the Conflux Network.

Role at Conflux and Chinese Government Involvement

At Conflux, Long leads the research and development efforts and also serves as a liaison with the Chinese government. His role is crucial in ensuring that the network remains at the forefront of blockchain technology by focusing on innovative ideas and real-world use cases.

Due to Conflux’s operations in China, the company has faced challenges and scrutiny from the government. However, under Long’s leadership, Conflux has managed to navigate the regulatory landscape and continue its growth in the blockchain space, forging essential connections and partnerships.

Conflux’s Impact on Blockchain and DeFi

In an interview on the Hummingbot Show on March 31, 2021, Long discussed the genesis of Conflux Network and its evolution from a research project at Tsinghua University to a full-fledged blockchain protocol.

He highlighted the team’s motivation to translate their research into a tangible project, which led them to secure funding and launch Conflux. Long also shared his enthusiasm for Conflux’s potential to solve real-world problems in various industries.

Moreover, Conflux Network has a strong presence in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) sectors. Its unique Tree-Graph protocol facilitates faster, safer, and scalable transactions, making it an ideal fit for DeFi applications and NFT marketplaces.

As co-founder, Long is spearheading efforts to integrate Conflux into these burgeoning ecosystems by enhancing digital asset exchanges and forging key partnerships. Conflux is poised to play a significant role in the future of decentralized finance and digital ownership.

Final Thoughts: Combining Education, Research, and Entrepreneurship

Throughout his career, Fan Long has seamlessly combined his passion for education, research, and entrepreneurship. As both a professor and an entrepreneur, he brings a unique perspective to the blockchain industry, merging academic rigor with practical solutions.

Long’s ability to navigate the worlds of academia and business has enabled him to make substantial contributions to both teaching and learning about blockchain technology while also advancing its practical applications through Conflux Network.