Conflux Network: How a Tsinghua University Team Built a World-Class Blockchain Protocol

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Conflux Network, also known as "Shu Tu," has recently gained global attention after Tsinghua University confirmed that the blockchain project was founded by its elite “Yao Class” team. Led by renowned computer scientist Professor Yao Qizhi (Andrew Yao), the initiative represents a powerful fusion of academic innovation and real-world blockchain application. This breakthrough not only validates the technical credibility of Conflux but also signals growing institutional support for blockchain development in China.

With increasing adoption across government and enterprise sectors, Conflux is emerging as one of the most strategically significant public blockchains in Asia. In this article, we’ll explore how an academic vision became a scalable, high-performance blockchain protocol — and why its native token, CFX, surged over 12% following the announcement.

The Origins of Conflux: From Tsinghua’s Yao Class to Global Blockchain Innovation

The story of Conflux begins in late 2017, when Long Fan, a Yao Class alumnus and MIT Ph.D. candidate, returned to China to teach cryptography at Tsinghua University. During lectures and discussions with students — including key contributor Chenxing Li — he identified a critical gap in existing blockchain architectures: scalability without sacrificing decentralization or security.

Inspired by these conversations, the team began researching a novel consensus mechanism based on Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structures combined with Tree-Graph protocols. This hybrid approach allowed for parallel transaction processing while maintaining linear finality — solving the so-called “blockchain trilemma” in a way that traditional Proof-of-Work chains could not.

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Under the leadership of Andrew Yao, a Turing Award-winning computer scientist who left his tenured position at Princeton University to return to China, the project evolved into what we now know as Conflux Network. In 2018, with backing from the Shanghai municipal government, the Shanghai Conflux Blockchain Research Institute was established to drive research and commercialization.

By October 2020, the Conflux mainnet officially launched — marking the first high-performance blockchain protocol to transition from peer-reviewed academic research to full-scale commercial deployment under a Proof-of-Work framework.

Technical Breakthroughs Behind the Tree-Graph Consensus

What sets Conflux apart from other Layer 1 blockchains is its unique Tree-Graph consensus algorithm, which enables:

This architecture allows Conflux to handle complex use cases such as cross-border payments, supply chain tracking, and digital identity management — all while maintaining compliance with national regulations.

In September 2023, the Shanghai Conflux Blockchain Research Institute was awarded a National Key R&D Program grant to develop a blockchain infrastructure targeting “Belt and Road” countries. The goal? To build a high-efficiency platform capable of 15,000 TPS, supporting international logistics, financial settlements, and cultural exchanges.

Additionally, Hunan Province approved a government blockchain initiative built on the Conflux protocol — signaling strong public-sector confidence in its reliability and scalability.

Bridging Blockchain and Everyday Life: The SIM Card Integration

One of Conflux’s most ambitious projects is its collaboration with China Telecom to launch the world’s first blockchain-enabled SIM card. This innovative mobile solution will allow users to:

By integrating blockchain functionality at the hardware level, Conflux aims to drastically reduce barriers to entry — making Web3 accessible to hundreds of millions of mobile users across China and beyond.

This move aligns with broader national efforts to promote digital currency adoption and smart infrastructure. It also positions Conflux as a key player in China’s vision for a digital economy powered by trusted, state-aligned blockchain technology.

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Market Reaction: Why CFX Price Jumped Over 12%

Following Tsinghua University’s public acknowledgment of its connection to Conflux, market sentiment shifted rapidly. According to data from CoinGecko:

This rally reflects renewed investor confidence in Conflux’s long-term viability, driven by:

As more use cases come online — especially in cross-border finance and public administration — analysts expect sustained demand for CFX tokens used for gas fees, staking, and governance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Conflux Network?

Conflux Network is a high-performance, academically developed public blockchain built on a Tree-Graph consensus mechanism. It supports fast, secure, and scalable transactions while remaining compatible with Ethereum tools and dApps.

Who created Conflux?

Conflux was founded by researchers from Tsinghua University’s elite “Yao Class,” led by Turing Award laureate Professor Andrew Yao. The project originated from academic research conducted in 2017–2018 and later evolved into a full-scale blockchain platform.

Is Conflux related to Ethereum?

Yes. Conflux is EVM-compatible, meaning developers can easily port Ethereum-based smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) to the Conflux network without major modifications.

What are the major use cases of Conflux?

Key applications include:

How does the blockchain SIM card work?

Developed with China Telecom, the SIM card embeds blockchain wallet capabilities directly into the user’s mobile hardware. This allows secure storage, transaction signing, and access to Web3 services without needing dedicated apps or hardware wallets.

Is CFX available on major exchanges?

Yes, CFX is listed on several global cryptocurrency exchanges, where it can be traded against USD, USDT, and other major cryptocurrencies. Users can also stake CFX for network validation rewards.

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Final Thoughts: A New Era for Academia-Driven Blockchain Innovation

Conflux Network stands as a rare example of a blockchain project rooted in rigorous academic research yet designed for real-world impact. With backing from top-tier institutions like Tsinghua University and support from national infrastructure projects, it exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can align with strategic economic goals.

As blockchain continues to evolve beyond speculation into utility-driven ecosystems, projects like Conflux — built on solid science, scalable architecture, and practical integration — are poised to lead the next wave of adoption.

Whether through revolutionary hardware like blockchain SIM cards or large-scale government deployments, Conflux is proving that blockchain doesn’t have to choose between decentralization and compliance — it can achieve both.