A new naming system, Ethereum Name Service
The .eth domains are becoming mainstream. What are they? Do you need one? Learn what they are and some use cases.
The domain system has allowed us to navigate through Internet easily by using DNS (Domain Name Service). Its goal is to simplify the access to servers by converting IP addresses (a number hard to remember i.e. 142.250.200.142 to a humanized address (i.e. google.com
In Ethereum, a similar system can be done. In this case, a decentralized name service, the Ethereum Name Service (ENS). With it you can convert an Ethereum wallet address 0x983110309620D911731Ac0932219af06091b6744 to brantly.eth. A more convenient address.
This has a clear advantage: you can easily share your address to receive payments or use it as a recognizable identifier in decentralized apps. Keep in mind that your transactions will be public and people will be able to track everything in that address.
Not only a wallet address
You can add almost any blockchain wallet address. So with just one humanized name you can share all your blockchain wallets.
You can also add records to the register to add metadata:
- A picture
- Custom text
- An url → You can point your ENS domain to an url directly.
- Contact data to make you reachable:
- A Twitter account
- An email
- A hash pointing to a decentralized website
Some ways people are using ENS:
- Publish your ENS domain to receive crypto donations (free donation system).
- Proving certain Ethereum knowledge (you have a ENS domain so you know how to use it).
- Signalling status by showcasing your assets. Maybe you want to prove that you have a CryptoPunk or lots of Ether.
- Showcasing your crypto investments and transaction history to demonstrate your investments skills.
- Non cancellable link. If you get shut down from Twitter, people know your domain so they can go there and check information to reach you again in another place.
- Verified decentralized pseudonymous identities.
- Easily recognizable identity when working in a DAO. If you’re voting with your ENS domain, people will recognize you. No one will remember your wallet address.
- Creating subdomains for certain uses or even setting a subdomain registrar.
Keep in mind that everyone will know all transactions and possessions of the addresses published in that ENS domain, consider it before publishing anything.
Summary
Ethereum name service is a service that resolves blockchain wallet addresses, allows several types of metadata, is decentralized and allows many uses such as creating pseudonymous identities or showcasing your assets.
Twitter
