aelf
2 known investors
aelf is a blockchain platform with a multi-dAppChain, cloud-native architecture and AI-enhanced features designed to support parallel transaction processing. It provides developers and creators with templates, SDKs, and documentation across languages such as C#, Java, JavaScript, Python, and Go to build, deploy, and manage decentralized applications (dApps).
Also known as AElf Β· aelf blockchain Β· aelf Foundation
Investors Β· 2
Company profile
researched Aug 2026aelf is a Layer 1 blockchain network that combines AI features with a multi-layered chain architecture. Its design pairs a MainChain, which acts as the backbone of the network, with multiple dAppChains (also described as side chains), following a "one chain to one type of contract" model rather than the single-chain approach of running all contract types on one ledger. This allows tasks to be distributed and transactions to be executed in parallel, with resource-isolated smart contract execution and adaptable consensus protocols. Mainnet nodes are deployed across multiple cloud-computing data centres, supporting a cloud-native environment for parallel execution and microservitisation of smart contracts on server clusters.
The platform targets developers building Web3 applications, providing templates, SDKs, documentation and automated tooling. The blockchain itself is built on C#, which aelf links to the .NET ecosystem and its libraries for machine learning, natural language processing and data analytics. Developer resources include an aelf-command CLI for account creation, contract calls and proposal creation, and aelf-web-login, a modular React wallet collection and component library supporting the NightElf, Portkey AA and Portkey Discover wallets. Network activity can be inspected through the aelfscan block explorer, which covers blocks, transactions, tokens, NFTs and governance across aelf's multichain setup.
The ecosystem includes several incubated applications: Portkey, an account-abstraction wallet for moving from Web2 to Web3; eBridge, a cross-chain bridge between aelf and EVM-compatible chains; Forest, an NFT marketplace; Awaken Swap, a decentralised exchange; EWELL, an IDO platform; and BeanGo Town, an NFT game. The aelf Foundation, headquartered in Singapore, is a non-profit governance entity for the network whose stated aims include advancing aelf technology and supporting corporate and startup blockchain adoption under Singapore regulatory standards.
Founding story
aelf was founded in 2017 and co-founded by Auric (also identified as Haobo Ma), its CEO. Auric graduated from Tianjin University with a B.S. in computer science in 2012 and began Bitcoin trading during university, moving into Litecoin and Bitcoin mining by 2013. In 2016 he built GemPay, a Bitcoin payment platform comparable to BitPay, along with an off-chain Gem wallet, then established the crypto exchange Allcoin and founded Hoopox, a blockchain services company whose clients included Hainan Airlines. He is described as a member of the Blockchain Experts' Commission of the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the China Computer Federation.
Business model
aelf operates as blockchain network infrastructure. The native ELF token is used to pay resource fees within the system, including smart contract deployment, system operation and upgrades, transaction fees and cross-chain data transfer fees, and it confers rights to participate in on-chain decisions such as electing mining nodes and adding system features. The organisation also runs a corporate venturing arm, aelf Ventures, and ecosystem programmes that incubate and fund applications built on the network.
Network usage is paid for in ELF tokens, which cover resource fees such as smart contract deployment, transaction fees, cross-chain data transfer fees, and system operation and upgrades.
Traction
aelf's ecosystem includes incubated applications Portkey, eBridge, Forest NFT Marketplace, Awaken Swap, EWELL and BeanGo Town, and aelf Ventures portfolio companies Crystal Fun and Mythic Protocol. The mainnet has been live since 2020, with the aelfscan explorer recording block heights above 346 million as of July 2026.
Latest developments
In 2026 aelf announced and completed allocations of 2,000,000 ELF to eBridge to strengthen cross-chain liquidity (January and June), announced the sunset of its ETransfer service in February, paused the network temporarily in August for a proactive system upgrade and maintenance, and published a security incident response progress update on 26 August 2026.
βΈFull profile β market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
aelf describes itself as an AI-enhanced Layer 1 blockchain network founded in 2017 with a global hub in Singapore, and positions itself as leading Asia in combining blockchain with AI integration. Its stated vision is to become a "Linux Ecosystem" equivalent for blockchain, letting developers customise chains to their needs, and to address performance bottlenecks and data complexity in traditional blockchain systems.
aelf's stated differentiators are its multi-layered MainChain/dAppChain structure with a "one chain to one type of contract" design for parallel processing and reduced congestion, a modular cloud-native architecture, a C#-based foundation aligned with the .NET ecosystem for AI integration, and application-specific dAppChains that are easier to manage and can be tailored to individual use cases.
Technology
The network uses a MainChain connected to multiple dAppChains/side chains, enabling parallel transaction processing, resource-isolated smart contract execution and flexible consensus protocols. The architecture is modular and cloud-native, with mainnet nodes deployed across multiple cloud data centres to support parallel execution and microservitisation on server clusters. C# underpins the chain, which aelf ties to the .NET ecosystem for AI-related libraries and tooling. Developer tooling includes SDKs and templates for C#, Java, JavaScript, Python and Go; the aelf-command CLI (account creation, key/mnemonic loading, contract calls, proposal creation); and aelf-web-login React wallet adapters for NightElf, Portkey AA and Portkey Discover. Governance is implemented through three on-chain contract models β Parliament, Association and Referendum β with the Parliament model requiring more than two-thirds miner approval to release a proposal.
Go-to-market
aelf reaches developers through documentation, SDKs, templates and CLI tooling, and grows its ecosystem through incubation, grants and investment: AElevate Gaming provides financial, technological and business support plus SDKs for gaming studios building on aelf's sidechain, while aelf Ventures makes strategic and financial investments in growth-stage web3 companies. The project also cultivates a community of developers, creators and users, and its ELF token is listed on major exchanges.
Developers and creators building decentralised applications β including AI and non-AI dApps, DeFi and metaverse projects β as well as end users of the ecosystem's wallet, bridge and NFT applications. The AElevate programme specifically targets Web2 gaming studios moving to Web3, and aelf Ventures targets growth-stage web3, blockchain and crypto companies.
Geography
aelf is headquartered in Singapore, with its registered office at Marina Bay Financial Centre, 8 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018981, and its core management team based there. The aelf Foundation is also headquartered in Singapore and operates under Singapore regulatory standards.
History
aelf's public story began on 10 December 2017, when its vision and plans were presented to global investors at a Coindesk conference; fundraising was completed ahead of schedule with backing from institutions including Arrington Capital, Draper Dragon and Galaxy Digital. That same month the ELF token was listed on six major exchanges, including Binance and OKEx. The testnet launched in 2018 and the mainnet in 2020. In August 2023 aelf launched the Building Grant, the first segment of its AElevate Gaming programme for Web2 gaming studios moving to Web3, and in September 2023 it introduced aelf Ventures with a $50m ecosystem fund. The project later repositioned around AI integration, publishing Whitepaper v2.0. In 2026 the network announced ELF allocations to eBridge for cross-chain liquidity (January and June), the sunset of its ETransfer service (February), a temporary network pause for a proactive system upgrade and maintenance (August), and progress updates on a security incident response (August).
Risks & controversies
aelf published a security incident response progress update on 26 August 2026 and, on 18 August 2026, announced a temporary pause of the network for a proactive system upgrade and maintenance. In February 2026 it announced the sunset of its ETransfer service. Its documentation also addresses recurring public questions about whether the project is a scam, which aelf denies, citing continuous development since 2017.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources β announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed β not independently audited.
Competitors Β· 2
by search overlapCompanies competing with aelf for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Timeline Β· 11
launches, deals, and filingsaelf announced and completed an allocation of 2,000,000 ELF to eBridge for enhanced cross-chain liquidity.
Allocation of 2,000,000 ELF to the eBridge cross-chain bridge to strengthen cross-chain connectivity and liquidity.
aelf Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of aelf, emerged from stealth with a $50m ecosystem fund targeting growth-stage companies working on the web2-to-web3 transition, blockchain and crypto. Investments include Crystal Fun and Mythic Protocol; incubated projects include Portkey, eBridge, Forest NFT Marketplace, Awaken Swap, EWELL and BeanGo Town. Hazel Zhang is head of investments.
$50M source β
aelf launched the Building Grant, the first segment of its AElevate Gaming programme, to help Web2 gaming studios build projects on aelf's sidechain and integrate dApps, including its account abstraction wallet and NFT platform.
aelf's vision and plans were introduced to global investors at a Coindesk conference on 10 December 2017; the fundraising was completed significantly ahead of schedule with investment from institutions including Arrington Capital, Draper Dragon and Galaxy Digital.
The ELF token was listed on six major exchanges, including Binance and OKEx.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
βΈResearch sources Β· 8
primary sources listed
- aelfaelf.io Β· web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does aelf do?
- aelf is a Singapore-based AI-enhanced Layer 1 blockchain using a MainChain plus multi-dAppChain architecture for parallel processing.
- Who are aelf's investors?
- aelf's investors include Continue Capital, ZMT Capital.