Beginner’s Guide: What is Ontology Blockchain?

What is Ontology? Ontology is a high-performance, open-source blockchain platform designed to support decentralized identity (DID) and data integrity in a trustless, interoperable environment. Launched in 2017 by Onchain—a Chinese tech company founded by Erik Zhang and Da Hongfei (who also co-founded NEO)—Ontology was developed to bridge the gap between blockchain technology and real-world business needs.

Ontology’s native token is ONT, which is used for governance, while ONG (Ontology Gas) is used to pay transaction fees. This dual-token system mirrors models used by other smart contract chains and allows for smoother operation and user interaction.

How Ontology Differs from Other Blockchains Unlike general-purpose blockchains like Ethereum, Ontology was built with a laser focus on digital identity, data verification, and enterprise utility. It provides tools for creating trust frameworks between users and services without exposing sensitive information.

One of its standout innovations is ONT ID, a decentralized identity solution that allows individuals and institutions to verify their identities across multiple platforms without relying on centralized authorities. This has major implications in finance, healthcare, education, and even supply chains.

Additionally, Ontology prioritizes speed and efficiency. Its VBFT consensus mechanism combines Verifiable Random Function (VRF) with Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT), allowing for higher throughput and lower latency than traditional Proof of Work (PoW) chains.

Key Features of Ontology Blockchain

• Decentralized Identity (ONT ID): A modular identity system for creating, verifying, and managing personal or institutional identities.
• Dual Token Model: ONT is staked for network governance, while ONG is used for transaction fees.
• High Throughput: Capable of thousands of transactions per second, with nearly instant finality thanks to VBFT.
• EVM Compatibility: Ontology supports Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing developers to port over Ethereum-based smart contracts easily.
• Cross-Chain Interoperability: Ontology supports connections to blockchains like Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Neo, enabling secure asset transfers and multi-chain dApps.
• Modular Architecture: Ontology offers built-in modules for identity, data exchange, and reputation scoring.

Real-World Use Cases and Ecosystem Ontology has found traction in various industries where trust, compliance, and privacy are essential:

• Finance: KYC and AML compliance through verifiable credentials
• Healthcare: Secure patient identity and consent management
• Education: Credential verification and digital diplomas
• Supply Chain: Transparent and secure product authentication

Its ecosystem includes ONTO Wallet (a mobile and web wallet), OScore (a reputation system), and numerous partnerships with institutions focused on Web3 adoption.

How to Get Started with ONT

1. Buy ONT/ONG: Available on major exchanges like Binance, KuCoin, and Gate.io.
2. Set Up a Wallet: Use ONTO Wallet, Trust Wallet, or Ledger to store and manage your tokens.
3. Stake ONT: Participate in governance and earn ONG rewards.
4. Explore ONT ID: Try creating your decentralized identity for future use cases.

Why Ontology Matters in the Web3 Era As the blockchain industry evolves from speculative trading toward real-world applications, the importance of trust, compliance, and digital identity grows. Ontology fills a unique space by offering:

• Scalable privacy-focused infrastructure
• Tools for seamless compliance with global regulations
• Support for the future of credentialing and digital governance

Ontology may not dominate headlines like Ethereum or Bitcoin, but its contributions to decentralized identity and enterprise adoption are game-changing. It’s designed for people and businesses that care about privacy, interoperability, and trusted data exchange.

Whether you’re a developer building cross-chain apps or a learner exploring next-gen blockchain platforms, Ontology deserves your attention. Start learning about platforms like Ontology and beyond with Dean Exchange—and build the skills to thrive in Web3.

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