Domain Name Service (DNS)

The Domain Name Service, or DNS, is a directory that provides a hierarchical naming system for resources on the internet in human-readable domain names.

What Is Domain Name Service in Blockchain?

In the context of blockchain, DNS is associated with wallet addresses and assets stored on the blockchain, giving the owner full control over the domain. They convert long, hard-to-remember crypto wallet addresses, into simpler names, such as “example.eth”. 

Anyone can send crypto payments to a wallet owner by entering their blockchain domain name (example.eth) rather than their full wallet address. This not only makes the address easier to remember but also eliminates the chances of errors while sending payments. 

However, blockchain domain names operate on decentralized protocols, unlike the traditional DNS, which is regulated by the centralized authority, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). 

When a user claims a blockchain domain name, it is mapped to the user’s associated wallet address using smart contracts. These smart contracts maintain a list of all registered domains with information such as owner and the linked wallet address, and are also responsible for managing domain-related transactions or ownership transfers.

That means no one can unilaterally control or censor these domains. What’s more, they don’t comply with or function within the traditional DNS hierarchy, as ICANN does not recognize them.

Popular Blockchain Domain Name Service Platforms

Ethereum Name Service (ENS):  

The Ethereum Name Serice is a popular domain name provider for “.eth” domain names on Ethereum. Its ecosystem is managed by a decentralized governance system, ENS DAO, which consists of over 2 million domains with 750 integrations. Users can claim a domain for $5 or more depending upon the number of characters in the domain name.

Unstoppable Domains: 

Unstoppable Domains allows you to claim domain names ending with .crypto, .nft, .polygon, .dao, .bitcoin, etc. The platform also has a self-custodial wallet extension and an in-built marketplace where users can buy and sell domain names.

Bonfida:

Bonfida enables users to claim Solana Name Service (SNS) domains on the Solana blockchain. Its ecosystem has 113k unique users and supports 115+ integrations with Web3 wallets, NFT marketplaces, etc.