PANews reported on January 26th that NEO founder Da Hongfei responded to a post by Neo co-founder Zhang Zhengwen , stating that it severely distorted the facts. Da Hongfei pointed out that Zhang Zhengwen's requested "mechanism" was actually "every transaction and all expenditures must be approved by me," which is essentially a copy of the Neo Foundation's autocratic management model. He clarified that he himself stated that starting this year, the Neo Foundation and NGD financial reports will be released quarterly, with significantly improved transparency and detail. Da Hongfei stated that he had informed Zhang Zhengwen (and other community members) that they could publish news and blogs on neo.org, and even sent a message authorizing the @Neo_Blockchain account for Zhang's use to attract followers, but Zhang Zhengwen repeatedly "only told part of the truth." Da Hongfei stated that he will record all conversations from now on.

Da Hongfei also mentioned that, for the sake of transparency, after consulting with and obtaining Zhang Zhengwen's consent, he arranged for NGD to conduct transactions with the Neo Foundation's treasury, with the initial $1 million traded at spot prices. His motives were twofold: first, to increase NGD's equity stake to unify the interests of all parties; and second, to provide Zhang Zhengwen with operating funds to promote the Neo mainnet. Da Hongfei emphasized that he has always sought "limited cooperation," and that both parties still share the common goal of promoting Neo's development and revival. He stressed that they should cooperate where their goals align and work independently where there are disagreements, which is the only way to resolve Neo's governance deadlock in recent years, and demanded that Zhang Zhengwen stop distorting his statements.