Neo is more than just Layer 1. Also known as “China’s Ethereum,” it is a smart contract platform with a mission to power the next generation smart economy. This means integrating digital assets, digital identities, and smart contracts into one seamless, interoperable network.
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Leading this charge is John Wang, Neo’s Head of Ecosystem Development, who has played a pivotal role in the protocol’s global rollout and expansion of its developer ecosystem.
In this interview, John reveals Neo’s evolution, his strategy for onboarding real-world adoption, and what sets Neo apart in a crowded blockchain landscape. From cross-chain innovation to grassroots developer growth, he shares a clear vision of how Neo is positioning itself for long-term relevance and why 2025 may be the most defining year yet.
Origin and future development of the crypto industry
To begin the conversation, John Wang was asked how he discovered cryptocurrencies and what led him to pursue a career in this industry. He built a strong network as a consultant, and when a friend mentioned Bitcoin, John decided to research further. He was amazed by the technology and decided to join the Neo Blockchain team. This was back in 2017, and he has now grown to be responsible for Neo’s operations, including investments and expansion.
“Neo is actually a very old blockchain, so some people call us the dinosaur coin.”
John Wang, Head of Ecosystem Development at Neo
After joking about how old Neo Blockchain is, John went on to emphasize that a blockchain’s age is not a red flag, but rather evidence of how well it has stood the test of time. He also emphasized that the company is working on new innovations to support timeless infrastructure. That being said, developer community-driven blockchain AI is the next target. John believes SpoonOS will become a mainstay in this space by supporting developers building next-generation AI applications.
SpoonOS helps support AI developers
John continued the conversation by explaining that there are two types of people in the AI development industry that deserve support. First, it’s the developers themselves who are contributing by building real-world applications and systems, and qualifying developers will receive a $500,000 reward. Neo Blockchain’s in-house technical team will evaluate the potential and make the final decision.
The second group is the ones that are actually driving this kind of technology. Without these marketers, the product loses momentum. Because unit economics are essential to the success of any product, Neo Blockchain believes that both builders and promoters should be fully supported in the goal of bringing next-generation AI to the masses.
Insights into the broader Web3 and AI industry
With John’s origin story established and the future of neo-blockchain clear, the conversation turned to the broader industry and how it is developing now as we approach the end of 2025. John expressed that when the industry was in its infancy, processes that were supposed to be simple were not user-friendly. For example, buying crypto used to be confusing, but there are now many exchanges with UX in mind.
“When we first entered this industry, things like wallets were difficult for the average person to use.”
John Wang, Head of Ecosystem Development at Neo
John believes that the industry will continue to make complex cryptographic processes increasingly accessible and user-friendly. From a technical and business perspective, John believes the industry has a long way to go in connecting these aspects to mainstream users. Simply put, John is excited to see how Neo Blockchain can give creators the tools to better connect their projects with the real world.
Message to new entrants to the industry
As our conversation draws to a close, John reflects on how difficult it is for builders to focus on one project because there are so many in this space right now. There are always new tokens, new projects, and even new directions within existing projects, and John welcomes that. However, John wanted to remind listeners that Neo Blockchain is still a developer community-driven platform and is ready to support developers in their goals, whatever direction they choose.
John emphasizes that while the blockchain space is increasingly fragmented, with countless L1s and ecosystems competing for attention, what’s really important is giving developers the space, tools, and incentives to build with intent.
Whether it’s through improved documentation, funding opportunities, or direct engineering support, Neo is doubling down on strengthening its ecosystem. He says real impact doesn’t always come from chasing the latest trends, but from building something meaningful and sustainable, which is where Neo puts its energy.
final thoughts
John Wang leaves us with a down-to-earth and positive message. In a space full of innovation and noise, Neo Blockchain remains focused on empowering builders to create with purpose. Rather than chasing hype cycles, teams are investing in fundamentals, developer tools, AI infrastructure, and real-world use cases.
As the industry matures, John sees Neo as a platform that continues to evolve with the times, rather than just a traditional chain. For developers looking for long-term alignment and deep ecosystem support, Neo has its doors wide open, and we’re excited to see what this monumental blockchain does next.
