Key Points
- Unstoppable Domains and Blockchain.com are partnering to launch a DNS-enabled web3 domain under the “.blockchain” extension.
- The .blockchain domain, upon approval by ICANN, will serve both web2 and web3, enhancing accessibility and user experience.
Unstoppable Domains and Blockchain.com are teaming up to introduce a DNS-enabled web3 domain with the “.blockchain” extension.
They aim to register the .blockchain web3 domain with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the global entity that supervises IP addresses and domain names.
ICANN’s Role and New gTLDs
ICANN plans to introduce new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) by 2026.
The application process will start with the release of ICANN’s Applicant’s Guidebook next year, giving the companies a year to prepare for the new domain’s application.
Once approved, the .blockchain domain will join existing top-level domains (TLD) like .com and .net, creating a dedicated space for blockchain-related businesses.
The Integration of Web2 and Web3
The .blockchain gTLD will function as both a web2 domain and a web3 domain, integrating web3 and traditional web2 browsing capabilities.
This will improve accessibility and enable users to use “.blockchain” domains seamlessly across both ecosystems.
Unstoppable Domains was established in 2018 and has been utilizing blockchain technology to give users control over their digital identities.
The company plans to offer specialized domain names for individuals, brands, and companies, broadening the use of blockchain-based domains.
The collaboration between Unstoppable Domains and Blockchain.com aims to bridge the gap between web2 and web3, similar to the recent integration of browser-compatible “.box” web domains by the Ethereum Name Service.
Web3 domains are new web extensions, akin to .com or .in, launched as smart contracts on public blockchains such as Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana.
Extensions such as .sol or .crypto can replace lengthy wallet addresses for cryptocurrency transactions, and can also be used for website hosting and single sign-on methods for various web3 applications.
The appeal of web3 domain names is their simplicity, allowing users to send funds to an easy-to-remember wallet address like “jack.eth” instead of a 42-character crypto wallet address.
“.blockchain” and other web3 domains take the form of unique, non-fungible tokens (NFT).
They are hosted on a public, unalterable blockchain, providing users with full ownership of their data and serving as a user’s digital identity.
Recently, FIDA, the token governing Solana-based infrastructure developer Bonfida, experienced a significant surge following the launch of its Solana Name Service (SNS) in China.
Currently, users are buying popular domain names through these platforms, expecting that corporations will soon register their respective brands.
