NEO, once known as Antshares, rebranded in the summer of 2017 and quickly rose to prominence in the cryptocurrency world. From a price of $10.51 at rebranding, it surged to an all-time high of $196.85 in January 2018, earning the nickname “The Ethereum of China.” This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about NEO, including its technology, investment potential, and most importantly—how and where to buy NEO coin.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned crypto enthusiast, this comprehensive resource covers the essentials: understanding the NEO ecosystem, comparing top exchanges, and executing secure purchases.
Understanding the NEO Blockchain
NEO is often dubbed the Ethereum of China because it was the first open-source blockchain platform developed in China. Unlike many closed systems, NEO's source code is publicly accessible, allowing for community-driven improvements and transparency.
The platform is built on three foundational pillars:
- Digital Assets
- Smart Contracts
- Digital Identities
These components work together to support NEO’s vision of a smart economy—a fully digital financial system where real-world assets are tokenized and traded securely on the blockchain.
A key feature of NEO is its dual-token model: NEO and GAS.
NEO vs. GAS: What’s the Difference?
When learning how to buy NEO coin, it’s crucial to understand that NEO and GAS are two distinct tokens within the same ecosystem.
- NEO Token: Acts as the governance token. Holding NEO grants you voting rights for network upgrades and decisions. It cannot be subdivided (minimum unit is 1 NEO).
- GAS Token: The utility token used to pay for transaction fees and execute smart contracts. GAS is generated over time and distributed to NEO holders—essentially functioning like a dividend.
👉 Discover how staking NEO can generate passive income through GAS rewards.
This unique mechanism means that simply by holding NEO in a compatible wallet, you earn GAS automatically—no mining or active participation required.
The Vision of a Smart Economy
NEO’s long-term goal is to enable a smart economy, where digital identities, assets, and smart contracts converge to create trustless, efficient financial systems.
In this model:
- Real-world assets (like property or stocks) are digitized and represented as tokens.
- Digital identities are verified on-chain, reducing fraud.
- Smart contracts automate agreements without intermediaries.
For example, imagine buying a house using a smart contract: once payment is confirmed, ownership is instantly transferred—no lawyers, no delays.
This system promises faster, cheaper transactions compared to traditional banking, making it especially appealing for global commerce and decentralized applications (dApps).
Is NEO a Good Investment?
Let’s look at the numbers.
In January 2017, NEO was valued at just $0.13**. By January 2018, it reached an all-time high of **$196.85—a staggering increase of nearly 700,000% in just one year. While the price has since cooled, it remains one of the most significant success stories in crypto history.
Several factors contribute to NEO’s investment appeal:
- High transaction throughput (up to 10,000 TPS)
- Active developer community
- Strong fundamentals with real-world use cases
- Passive income via GAS generation
However, potential investors should be aware of risks—particularly regulatory uncertainty in China. Although NEO operates globally, its Chinese origins mean it’s sensitive to shifts in national crypto policy.
Still, if regulations stabilize, many analysts believe NEO could see renewed growth.
How to Buy NEO Coin: Step-by-Step Guide
You can’t buy NEO directly with fiat currency (like USD) on most platforms. Instead, you’ll typically need to:
- Buy Ethereum (ETH) with fiat
- Transfer ETH to a cryptocurrency exchange
- Trade ETH for NEO
Here’s how to do it safely and efficiently.
Step 1: Buy Ethereum (ETH)
Start by purchasing ETH on a fiat-friendly exchange like Coinbase or Kraken.
On Coinbase:
- Log in and go to Buy/Sell
- Select Ethereum (ETH)
- Enter the amount in USD
- Click Buy Ethereum Instantly
- Confirm with two-factor authentication (2FA)
Once purchased, your ETH will appear in your wallet.
👉 Learn how to securely store your ETH before transferring it to an exchange.
Step 2: Transfer ETH to a Crypto Exchange
Most major exchanges support ETH-to-NEO trading pairs. We’ll use Binance as an example:
- Log in to Binance and go to Funds > Deposits
- Search for Ethereum (ETH) and copy your deposit address
- Go back to Coinbase, click Send, and paste the Binance address
- Enter the amount and confirm with 2FA
- Wait for confirmation (check via Etherscan)
Your ETH will arrive in your Binance account within minutes.
Step 3: Trade ETH for NEO
Now that your funds are on Binance:
- Go to the trading dashboard
- Search for the NEO/ETH pair
- Select Market Order
- Enter the amount of NEO you want to buy
- Confirm the trade
Congratulations—you now own NEO!
Top Exchanges to Buy NEO
Not all exchanges are created equal. Here’s a breakdown of the most reliable platforms for buying NEO.
Binance
- Daily NEO Trading Volume: ~$29 million
- Trading Fee: 0.1% (0.05% with BNB discount)
- Pros: High liquidity, user-friendly interface, strong security
- Cons: Not available in all countries
Binance is one of the most popular exchanges globally and offers seamless ETH-to-NEO trading.
Upbit
- Daily Trading Volume: ~$29 million
- Trading Fee: 0.25% (KRW pairs)
- Pros: Dominant in South Korea, high volume
- Cons: Limited English support, regulatory concerns
Ideal for users based in Asia.
Bitfinex
- Daily Volume: ~$17 million
- Fee Model: Tiered (maker-taker system)
- Pros: Advanced trading tools, deep order books
- Cons: Past security issues
Best suited for experienced traders.
OKX
- Daily Volume: ~$8 million
- Fee Model: Maker -0.1%, Taker 0.1%
- Pros: Strong security post-hack recovery
- Cons: Lower liquidity compared to Binance
Despite a notable hack in 2017, OKX has rebuilt trust and remains a top-five exchange for NEO trading.
👉 Compare real-time trading fees and liquidity across top exchanges here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I buy NEO with USD directly?
Most exchanges don’t offer direct fiat-to-NEO pairs. You’ll usually need to buy ETH or BTC first, then trade for NEO.
Where should I store my NEO safely?
Use non-custodial wallets like NEON Wallet or Ledger Nano S/X for maximum security. Avoid keeping large amounts on exchanges.
Do I earn rewards for holding NEO?
Yes! Holding NEO generates GAS tokens automatically—similar to earning dividends.
Is NEO legal outside China?
Yes, NEO is tradable and legal in most countries, though regulations vary by jurisdiction.
How fast are NEO transactions?
NEO can process up to 10,000 transactions per second, far exceeding Ethereum’s current capacity.
What affects NEO’s price?
Key factors include market sentiment, GAS distribution rates, regulatory news (especially from China), and adoption of dApps on the network.
Final Thoughts
NEO stands out as a high-performance blockchain with real-world applications and a proven track record of innovation. Its dual-token model, smart economy vision, and strong developer support make it a compelling option for both users and investors.
While regulatory risks remain, the potential for growth—especially if China adopts clearer crypto policies—is significant.
Whether you're interested in participating in governance, earning passive income via GAS, or simply investing in a promising blockchain project, knowing how and where to buy NEO coin is your first step into this dynamic ecosystem.
Always remember: never invest more than you can afford to lose, and consult a financial advisor before making decisions.
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