The Internet is undergoing a major evolution towards Web 3 – a more decentralized, user-owned iteration of the World Wide Web built on blockchain technology. With this shift, traditional domain name systems controlled by ICANN are being replaced by a new wave of Web 3 native domains. These blockchain-based domains aim to give users greater levels of control, ownership, and monetization over their online identities and websites.

As developers build out the infrastructure for Web3 domains and organizations begin migrating online presence, Web 3 domains will serve as the bridge between the legacy Web 2 and the Web 3 future. There is still much experimentation underway, but core domain providers are emerging to provide the naming layer for Web 3.

What Exactly Are Web 3 Domains and How Do They Work?

Web 3 domains function quite differently from traditional .com or .org domains in some key ways:

 

  • They are based on blockchain technology rather than legacy DNS systems. This allows domains to be owned, not rented.

 

  • Domain records are stored transparently on blockchains like Ethereum, giving censorship resistance.

 

  • Users have granular control and ownership of their Web 3 domain, with no renewals.
  • Web 3 domains are often NFTs that can be freely traded on markets.
  • Users can monetize domains by integrating smart contracts, ad revenue shares, redirects, etc.

 

  • Interoperability standards allow Web 3 domains to work across blockchain ecosystems.

 

So in summary, Web 3 domains apply decentralization principles to domain names – giving users control through transparent blockchains rather than renting from authorities like ICANN.

 

Major Providers in the Web 3 Domain Landscape

 

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The Web 3 domain landscape has many emerging players, but a few core providers have established themselves through substantial adoption:

 

  • Ethereum Name Service (ENS) – ENS offers .eth domains on Ethereum, with over 305k registered. Seamlessly integrates with wallets.

 

  • Unstoppable Domains – Unstoppable Domains provides .crypto, .nft, and other domains as NFTs. Over 2.3 million domains were minted.

 

  • Handshake – Handshake uses a decentralized blockchain to allow registration of .hns domains. Focused on replacing ICANN.

 

Some other notable players include Decentralized Identity Foundation, Bonfida, Filecoin, and many more. Major Web 3 foundations are also collaborating to develop standards for the seamless interoperability of domains across blockchains.

 

Key Benefits of Adopting Web 3 Domains

Here are some of the major advantages Web 3 domains provide over traditional naming systems:

 

  • Censorship Resistance – Domains are controlled by owners, not authorities. This makes censorship extremely difficult.

 

  • True Ownership – Users own web 3 domains indefinitely with no renewal fees or risk of losing ownership.

 

  • Increased Control – The user has complete control over the domain and can easily update records or transfer ownership.

 

  • Enhanced Transparency – All domain changes are recorded publicly on the blockchain.

 

  • New Monetization – NFT domains can integrate smart contracts to enable monetization models like fractional ownership.

 

  • Interoperability – Standards are emerging for using domains seamlessly across different blockchains.

 

  • Self-Sovereign Identity – Web 3 domains give users a unified identity across Web 3 and Web 2 applications.

 

Evaluating the Growing Pool of Web 3 Domain Options

With many providers entering the market, evaluating Web 3 domain options requires assessing several key factors:

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  • Blockchain support – Which chains does the provider integrate with? How is cross-chain interoperability handled?

 

  • Domain name extensions – Do they offer common extensions like .crypto and .nft alongside newer experimental options?

 

  • Ease of use – Is the domain easy to update, point to resources, and integrate with apps and wallets?

 

  • Accessibility – Can the domain be accessed through normal web browsers?
  • Pricing model – Does it involve perpetual user ownership or recurring rent-seeking fees?

 

  • Adoption and community – How much traction does the provider have in terms of user base and integrations?

 

  • Security provisions – Are adequate measures in place to protect ownership of domains?

 

By weighing these factors, individuals and organizations can determine the optimal Web 3 domain solutions as the market matures.

 

Use Cases and Applications for Web 3 Domains

Web 3 domains have expansive applicability across a variety of use cases:

 

  • Websites – Websites can use .crypto or .nft domains paired with IPFS for censorship-resistant hosting.

 

  • Wallets – Cryptocurrency wallets can integrate .eth names instead of long addresses.
  • NFT Galleries – NFT creators can showcase collections on domains like mynfts. nft.
  • DAOs – Decentralized autonomous organizations can control .dao domains for coordination.

 

  • Gaming – In-game assets and profiles can utilize Web 3 domains to persist across metaverses.

 

  • Identity – A single Web 3 domain can serve as a user’s universal identity.

 

  • Redirect Networks – Domains can enable innovative redirect-based business models.

 

As Web 3 sees increasing traction, expect to see Web 3 domains facilitate its expansion across these verticals and more.

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Conclusion

Web3 domains are poised to serve as the critical naming infrastructure for the next evolution of the internet. By leveraging decentralized blockchains, they give users greater levels of ownership and control over their online identities and assets. Major providers have emerged, but it’s still early days as standards and best practices develop. While challenges around scalability and usability remain, expect Web 3 domains to rapidly expand in usage and recognition as uptake of Web 3 accelerates.