summary: Ethereum Name Service is a decentralized, open source, and permissible naming system which runs on the Ethereum smart contracts.
content: Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is an open-source, distributed, and extensible naming system based on the Ethereum blockchain, which allows users to create human-readable names for Ethereum addresses and other content in place of long wallet or service addresses. Additionally, it works similarly to Domain Name System (DNS) and enables a secure and decentralized way to address websites and resources via names rather than numbers. On secondary markets, anyone can buy and sell ENS domains as NFTs. Each address corresponds to a user's web3 username. Overview ENS is an open and decentralized naming and lookup system built on the Ethereum blockchain which helps users to easily transfer funds and also access websites and resources such as smart contracts, wallet addresses, and more with ease using just simple names in place of blockchain or cryptocurrency addresses. It is built on Ethereum’s smart contract, making it more secure, private, and resistant to censorship than the DNS. Its primary function is to map human-readable names like ‘vitalik.eth’ to machine-readable identifiers such as Ethereum addresses or any other cryptocurrency addresses, content hashes, and metadata. it also helps ‘reverse resolution’, making it possible to associate metadata such as canonical names or interface descriptions with Ethereum addresses. ENS Domain names are Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and follow ERC-721 standards. These domains can be traded on NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea. Apart from using just a Domain service, The users can even develop a decentralized website using ENS and a decentralized storage system known as InterPlanetary File System. History The Ethereum Name Service was first launched by the Ethereum Foundation back in May 2017 and it was introduced by developers Nick Johnson and Alex Van de Sande, allowing users to register .eth domain names and link them to Ethereum resources. It then divided into an independent organization, True Names Ltd in May 2018. True Names Ltd is a non-profit organization registered and based in Singapore. Currently, ENS is managed by them with the help of the Ethereum Community. Initially, ENS has supported only .eth domain names, but over the years, the team added support for many DNS names (TLD s), including .xyz , .kred, .luxe , .club, and .art. Tech The registry and resolvers are the ENS's two main parts, which are the two Ethereum smart contracts. ENS Registry The registry records the domain name, it consists of a single smart contract that maintains a list of all domains and subdomains, and stores the following vital information about, the owner of the domain, the resolver for the domain, and lastly the caching time-to-live for all records under the domain. The basic agreement at the center of ENS resolution is the ENS registry. All ENS lookups begin with a registry search. The registry keeps a record of all domains and records the owner, resolver, and TTL. Each domain owner is given the ability to edit this information. !spaces_-LZWNj0_mU4_3ENJbw83_uploads_git-blob-131fdde717920b27e6aae5aac41bdbd088b6123c_ens-architecture.pngThe Resolver The Resolver translates machine-readable addresses into domain names for the users. Any agreement that meets the appropriate standards is qualified to serve as an ENS resolver. For users with simple requirements, like serving a rarely modified address for a name, general-purpose resolver options are available. In ENS, names are resolved in two steps: first, the user is expected to ask the registry which resolver is in charge of the name, and then they must ask that resolver to respond to their inquiry. Use Cases Crypto Transaction Users who regularly transact through crypto can assign an ENS to their cryptocurrency wallet for ease of use. This minimizes the risks of sending crypto to the wrong addresses often associated with using long and unmemorable addresses. Multiple Address A user can assign several addresses to their ENS domain, which lets them receive any digital currency or NFT. Due to the contextual functionality of these multi-address domains, users can map both their web3 wallet and their Ethereum wallet to the same domain. ENS unifies different web services into one source. A user's website is the destination when they enter their ENS domain into a web browser. The exchange or dApp they use will automatically recognize your crypto address when they use their ENS to send or receive cryptocurrency. Decentralized Websites Users can also assign ENS domains to decentralized websites, such as those hosted by the InterPlanetary File Systems (IPFS), which requires a higher technical knowledge. Likewise, ENS spreads out DNS capacities by allowing users to register their DNS names. Those who own a website registered with the DNS domain that hosts their resume and academic certificates can link their DNS-registered website with their ENS domain if they want to maintain one ENS domain name for their website, crypto address, LinkedIn account, Github, and many more. Immutability ENS transactions are immutable since they are powered by smart contracts that operate on the Ethereum blockchain. All ENS records are unchangeable and unalterable, similar to blockchain technology. Monetizing ENS Domains ENS domains follow the ERC-721 token standard, meaning users can trade, transfer, or use them as collateral to secure a crypto loan. On online markets like OpenSea or Rarible, an individual's domain name is available for purchase or sale as an NFT. On lending services like NFTfi, users can still use it as collateral to secure a loan. ENS Token ENS is the governance token of Ethereum Name Service and is used to govern the protocol and influence decisions on pricing its .eth addresses and the price oracle. It is an ERC-20 token built on the Ethereum blockchain. Holders of the token can also delegate their tokens to the DAO for voting. Token Distribution !img5_ens.jpgEarly adopters who had previously registered an ENS domain name were airdropped by the ENS token. Users had from November 8th, 2021, through May 4th, 2022, to claim the tokens they were entitled to. The airdrop was used to distribute 25% of the overall supply. DAO Community Treasury (50%): 10% at launch, linear vesting over four years. Airdrop to.ETH holders (25%) Contributors (25%), with four-year linear vesting including: Core Contributors: 18.96% Select Integrations: 2.5% Future Contributors: 1.25% External Contributors: 1.29% Launch Advisors: 0.58% Keyholders: 0.25% Active Discord Users: 0.125% Translators: 0.05% Funding ENS had no VC investors. However, the protocol has received financial support from the Ethereum Foundation, Binance, Ethereum Classic Labs, and Protocol Labs. ENS DAO The ENS DAO is a DAO that governs the ENS protocol. Delegate systems often serve as the ENS DAO's framework and give members the ability to select their representatives. Individual members can therefore make suggestions for revisions or propositions, and others will vote on them. Even though ENS is decentralized and its DAO runs without human oversight, some operations, such as the multi-sig contracts that control the registrar contract and the treasury, call for human interaction. The DAO is run by the ENS Constitution. It is a set of binding rules that determine what governance actions are legitimate for the DAO to take. The ENS DAO was established to manage the ecosystem. The ENS governance Process includes Venues, a Discourse forum for discussions about governance, located at discuss.ens.domains. Snapshot is the second, straightforward voting interface that enables users to express sentiment off-chain. Governance Portals is the third option. Token holders may delegate their votes through the governance portal Tally, which also enables delegates to draft and vote on binding proposals. Another such governance portal is Sybil. Types of Proposal Users can vote on many things in the DAO, including: 1. Executable Proposal: Executable proposals for several smart contract actions, such as dividing up the liquid token pool among grants for Web3 development. 2. Social Proposal: Off-chain social suggestions are made to add or remove directors, members, or supervisors. 3. Constitutional amendments: Amendments to the Constitution that change how the ENS carries out its mandate. ENS Foundation !FWHGYzcXoAAXVax.jfifThe ENS Foundation is a Foundation Company Limited By Guarantee, incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The ENS Foundation cannot distribute dividends to its directors or members because it has no shareholders and is a nonprofit organization. Three members of the ENS core team serve as directors for the ENS Foundation: Nick Johnson, Brantly Millegan, and Kevin Gaspar. Directors are in charge of managing the foundation's daily operations. The ENS Foundation has only one manager. It is the responsibility of the supervisor, a position in the administration, to ensure that the directors are carrying out their duties in line with Cayman Islands law. An organization from the Cayman Islands called DS Limited holds the job of supervisor. The ENS Foundation's Articles of Incorporation give significant powers to the ENS DAO (referred to as "The Council" in the Articles). The DAO may vote to: Appoint or remove a director, member, or supervisor. Prohibit admitting any members in the future. Instruct the directors to wind up the foundation, and specify what charity or other foundation should receiv