In the ever-evolving world of blockchain technology, few names stand out for both vision and execution like Robert Mao, CEO and Founder of ArcBlock. With over two decades of experience in the tech industry—including a five-year tenure at Microsoft—Mao brings a rare blend of enterprise-grade discipline and decentralized innovation to the blockchain space. In this in-depth conversation, he unpacks the journey of ArcBlock, the future of decentralized applications (DApps), and what it truly means to build Blockchain 3.0.
From Knowledge Sharing to Blockchain Infrastructure
ArcBlock began in 2015 as a knowledge-sharing platform built on blockchain principles. However, early challenges revealed a critical insight: while people valued knowledge, few were willing to contribute without incentive. This led to a pivotal shift.
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Robert Mao recalls: "We wanted to create a collaborative knowledge network—something like Google, but decentralized. The problem was engagement. That’s when we discovered Ethereum."
Ethereum’s emergence introduced a new paradigm: tokenized incentives. Inspired by its potential, ArcBlock explored using blockchain to reward content contributors. But during development, they encountered a deeper issue—existing blockchain frameworks were too complex and inaccessible for most developers.
"We spent time learning Ethereum, but found it slow, complex, and hard to scale. At local meetups, we saw many frameworks, but none truly served the developer community well. So we built our own."
That framework became ArcBlock—a platform designed not just for one app, but for an entire ecosystem of decentralized applications.
The Vision: Building Blockchain 3.0
Mao defines the evolution of blockchain in three distinct phases:
- Blockchain 1.0: Bitcoin—the foundational layer focused on peer-to-peer transactions.
- Blockchain 2.0: Ethereum—introducing smart contracts and programmable logic.
- Blockchain 3.0: ArcBlock—delivering scalable infrastructure, interoperability, and developer empowerment.
"Our goal is to be the AWS of blockchain," says Mao. "We want to provide the tools, infrastructure, and services so that anyone—developers, businesses, or end users—can build and use blockchain applications seamlessly, often without even realizing they’re using blockchain."
This vision centers on lowering barriers to entry. By abstracting complex backend processes, ArcBlock enables developers to focus on innovation rather than protocol-level troubleshooting.
Interoperability: The Key to Blockchain’s Future
One of the most pressing challenges in the blockchain space today is fragmentation. Public blockchains like Ethereum, Bitcoin, and others operate in silos, unable to communicate effectively.
Mao believes this must change: "The future of blockchain is interconnected—just like the internet. There isn’t one internet or two internets; there’s just 'the Internet.' Similarly, we need a unified blockchain network where chains interoperate seamlessly."
To address this, ArcBlock developed the Forge SDK and the Open Access Protocol (OAP)—a suite of tools that allow developers to build cross-chain applications with ease. These technologies enable automatic connectivity between different blockchains using a single, unified interface.
This focus on interoperability positions ArcBlock as a critical enabler of Web3’s next phase—one where data, identity, and value flow freely across networks.
Evaluating Ethereum and EOS: Strengths and Shortcomings
When asked about leading platforms like Ethereum and EOS, Mao offers candid insights.
Ethereum: Potential Hamstrung by Performance
"Ethereum is great conceptually," he admits. "But performance remains a major bottleneck." High gas fees, network congestion, and scalability issues have limited its real-world adoption for mainstream applications.
However, Mao remains optimistic about Ethereum 2.0, citing improvements in consensus mechanisms and sharding as promising developments that could resolve many current limitations.
EOS: Centralization Under the Guise of Speed
Mao is more critical of EOS: "Their promise of 1 million TPS was never realistic with current technology—and they’ve quietly dropped that claim."
He points to EOS’s Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus as a step backward in decentralization. "EOS looks like a pioneer, but it’s not. In fact, I believe it has done more harm than good to the blockchain space by promoting centralization under the banner of scalability."
For Mao, true innovation must balance speed with decentralization and security—the cornerstone of blockchain’s value proposition.
Where DApps Shine: Identity and User Control
Not all applications benefit from decentralization. Mao emphasizes that DApps should solve problems traditional apps cannot.
"Blockchain is like the internet—but DApps need unique advantages. The biggest opportunity? Decentralized identity (DID)."
With DID, users regain control over their personal data. No more relying on centralized platforms to manage logins or track behavior. Instead, individuals own their digital identities and choose when and how to share information.
ArcBlock has already launched ABT Wallet, a W3C-compliant decentralized identity wallet that simplifies user onboarding into the DApp ecosystem.
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Mao predicts: "The first wave of successful DApps will be those centered on privacy, identity, and user empowerment—not just gaming or speculation."
Competition and Differentiation: Cosmos and Beyond
When asked about competitors, Mao names Cosmos as ArcBlock’s closest rival: "They’re very close to our design philosophy. We respect their work—but we believe we’ll outperform them in execution."
While both platforms emphasize interoperability and modular architecture, ArcBlock differentiates through its developer-first tools, unified SDKs, and enterprise-ready infrastructure.
Core Keywords Integration
Throughout this discussion, key themes emerge that define ArcBlock’s strategic positioning:
- Blockchain 3.0
- Decentralized applications (DApps)
- Developer tools
- Interoperability
- Decentralized identity (DID)
- Forge SDK
- Open Access Protocol
- Smart contracts
These keywords reflect not only technical capabilities but also market needs—scalable infrastructure, seamless integration, and user-centric design.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Blockchain 3.0?
A: Blockchain 3.0 refers to the next evolution of blockchain technology—moving beyond simple transactions (1.0) and smart contracts (2.0) toward scalable, interoperable platforms that support real-world applications across industries.
Q: How does ArcBlock support DApp development?
A: ArcBlock provides the Forge SDK and Open Access Protocol, enabling developers to build cross-chain DApps quickly and efficiently with minimal setup and maximum flexibility.
Q: Is decentralized identity practical today?
A: Yes. With tools like ABT Wallet and W3C standards maturing, decentralized identity is already being used in credentialing, access control, and privacy-preserving authentication systems.
Q: Can blockchains really communicate with each other?
A: Through protocols like OAP and projects such as ArcBlock and Cosmos, cross-chain communication is not only possible but increasingly operational in production environments.
Q: Why focus on developers?
A: Developers are the builders of the future internet. By empowering them with intuitive tools and robust infrastructure, ArcBlock accelerates the adoption of decentralized technologies.
Q: What makes ArcBlock different from other blockchain platforms?
A: ArcBlock combines ease of use, cross-chain interoperability, and enterprise-grade reliability—offering a complete development environment rather than just a protocol or consensus mechanism.
Final Thoughts: Staying Focused on Innovation
When asked about exchange listings—particularly Binance—Mao remains grounded: "We’re not actively pursuing exchanges. Our focus is on building the best platform possible."
As a U.S.-based company, regulatory compliance adds complexity. But for Mao, staying true to product excellence is paramount.
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ArcBlock’s journey reflects a broader shift in the blockchain industry—from hype-driven launches to sustainable, infrastructure-focused innovation. With a clear roadmap toward Blockchain 3.0, Robert Mao and his team are laying the foundation for a decentralized future that’s not only possible—but already being built.