Vitalik Buterin Emphasizes ENS as Infrastructure at frENSday, PayPal Integration Revealed

**Identity is becoming shared infrastructure** for AI agents operating on blockchain networks. New standards like **ERC-8004** (trust frameworks) and **x402** (payment rails) are converging around a core principle: different systems can evolve independently, but they all need to consistently reference the same agent over time. **Why this matters:** - AI agents can act autonomously, but their identity, attribution, and payments need to be onchain - ENS (Ethereum Name Service) provides the naming layer that allows human-readable identification of agents - Payment rails, trust frameworks, and agent registries all depend on this consistent identity layer Recent discussions at industry events featured panels with MetaMask, Nethermind, Flashbots, and the Ethereum Foundation exploring how agents anchor identity and trust using these emerging standards. [Read the full post](https://ens.domains/blog/post/ens-ai-agent-erc8004)

**ENS is gearing up for its v2 launch** by requiring developers to update their libraries and applications. Key requirements for ENSv2 readiness: - Update ENS libraries to latest versions - Ensure apps resolve names via **CCIP-Read protocol** - Verify **L2 compatibility** for name resolution - Implement Universal Resolver support The Universal Resolver serves as the foundation for ENSv2, enabling cross-chain name resolution and improved functionality. **Why this matters:** ENSv2 represents a significant upgrade to Ethereum's naming infrastructure, expanding beyond simple address mapping to comprehensive web3 identity management. Developers should review the [ENSv2 readiness documentation](https://docs.ens.domains/web/ensv2-readiness/) and test their applications now to ensure seamless transition. *Action needed: Update your ENS integrations before the v2 launch to avoid service disruptions.*

**ENS is evolving beyond personal naming** to include smart contract identification, making decentralized organizations safer and more user-friendly. **Key developments:** - DAOs can now name their smart contracts using ENS - Makes contracts more **legible and easier to integrate** - Enhances both **user experience and security** for Ethereum users **Leading the charge:** - @nounsdao pioneering contract naming adoption - @enscribe_ developing tools for easy contract naming - ENS_DAO supporting "Contract Naming Season" initiative This expansion transforms how users interact with smart contracts by replacing complex addresses with human-readable names, similar to how ENS already works for wallet addresses.

**ENS becomes core Ethereum infrastructure** following Devcon Argentina 2025. Key developments: - **Onchain identity now essential** for Ethereum ecosystem - Builders adopting ENS across **agents, L2s, and dApps** - ENS serving as **primary naming layer** for real-world events - Meeting growing demand for **decentralized identities** and websites The consensus from Buenos Aires is clear: ENS has evolved from optional to **fundamental infrastructure** for Ethereum's next phase of growth.

ENS showcased its **community-driven ecosystem** at a recent event, with multiple working groups hosting office hours at their booth. Key participants included: - ENS DAO working groups - zkEmail and Unruggable projects - Namespace and Enscribe platforms - Filecoin and Namehash Labs - Blockful and JustAName services - ENS Labs DevRel team The **bustling booth** highlighted ENS's strength through its diverse builder community, demonstrating the collaborative nature of the Ethereum naming ecosystem. *ENS continues to prove that decentralized infrastructure thrives on community participation and developer engagement.*