The Aion Network (AION) is a decentralized application (DApp) focused platform that allows developers to create decentralized applications using the Java programming language. Founded in 2016 by Matthew Spoke, who formerly worked with Deloitte, the Aion Network has described its efforts as those that overcome the obstacles that prevent mainstream, at-scale adoption of decentralized systems. Spoke is also on the board of the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance (EEA).

Smart contracts are Aion Network’s primary focus, with the distinction being that the contracts are written in Java. The network uses a combination of Byzatine Fault Tolerance (BFT) and Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) to achieve consensus.  

The non-profit Aion Foundation, which steers the direction that the Aion Network takes, is a member of the Blockchain Interoperability Alliance, along with many other projects of a similar nature. This membership shows in its goals: Aion wants the many disconnected networks to be able to work with each other, and is building a protocol to this end.

The project is currently in its second phase of development. Phase 1, the goals of which were largely achieved during 2019 and earlier, saw the team release several developments: a Virtual Machine, an enhanced Ethereum VM; a modified Proof-of-Work algorithm; a multi-chain framework and wire protocol; and APIs.

Phase 2, which will continue to see development through the rest of 2019 and early 2020, will see the team release an Aion scripting language and a consensus algorithm called Proof-of-Intelligence.