Background

Ethereum Name Service

The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a distributed, open, and extensible naming system based on the Ethereum blockchain.

ENS’s job is to map human-readable names like ‘alice.eth’ to machine-readable identifiers such as Ethereum addresses, other cryptocurrency addresses, content hashes, and metadata. ENS also supports ‘reverse resolution’, making it possible to associate metadata such as canonical names or interface descriptions with Ethereum addresses.

ENS has similar goals to DNS, the Internet’s Domain Name Service, but has significantly different architecture due to the capabilities and constraints provided by the Ethereum blockchain. Like DNS, ENS operates on a system of dot-separated hierarchical names called domains, with the owner of a domain having full control over subdomains.

Top-level domains, like ‘.eth’ and ‘.test’, are owned by smart contracts called registrars, which specify rules governing the allocation of their subdomains. Anyone may, by following the rules imposed by these registrar contracts, obtain ownership of a domain for their own use. ENS also supports importing in DNS names already owned by the user for use on ENS.

Integrationstwitter

ENS Name Support Added

Mon 11th Mar 2024
ENS has added support for using ENS names instead of wallet addresses for a more intuitive experience. This update applies to several key functions.

ENS supports web3 accelerator Magma by BorderlessAF in Africa

Thu 7th Mar 2024
ENS is proud to support Magma, a web3 accelerator by BorderlessAF, that started in Kenya. The accelerator aims to bring together top founders and builders from Africa to develop onchain solutions for African users.

ENS at ETH Denver

Mon 4th Mar 2024
ENS is prominently featured at the ETH Denver event with activations and giveaways. Visit the Uniswap booth to get a free uni.eth subname, participate in a raffle, and see their latest releases.
Community article

ENS at ETHDenver 2024

Mon 4th Mar 2024
Dr. Daoist has provided Gabby with a new name card featuring ENS at the ETHDenver2024 event.
Community article

Under-loved Infrastructures in the ENS Community

Mon 4th Mar 2024
The ENS community highlighted various under-loved categories of infrastructure, such as ENS names on L2 with decentralized verification, proof-of-personhood mechanisms, more secure software supply chains for dapps, instant cross-L2 token transfer protocol, institutional guardians for social recovery, ZK voting, association set providers for privacy pools, and standardized on-chain-readable decryption keys.

ENS teams up with Polygon, Linea, and Base to launch a web3 General Store

Mon 4th Mar 2024
ENS, along with Polygon, Linea, and Base, has collaborated to create a web3 General Store for ETHDenver Builders. The store offers testnet funds, storage, POAPs, social handles, and other resources for builders to continue their projects. DM TheGeneralStore.eth for more information.
Community article

DNS Lookup feature added to ENS Domain Name Lookup page

Mon 26th Feb 2024
ENS has introduced a new feature where DNS names imported into ENS can be searched on the Domain Name Lookup page.
Community article

ENS Announcement on Twitter

Thu 22nd Feb 2024
ENS announced on Twitter that users can now receive and manage funds on-chain privately while using the same ENS name. The initiative was praised as 'Great work' by Fluidkey.

ENS Differentiation and Compatibility

Thu 22nd Feb 2024
ENS is a unique universal name that covers all blockchain token types and is interoperable with DNS names, as highlighted by @ensdomains.

ENS Ecosystem Update: Supporting @RESCUEorg in Gaza

Thu 15th Feb 2024
ENS is actively supporting @RESCUEorg's humanitarian efforts in Gaza, facilitating donations through blockchain technology. Contributions of various assets are accepted on Layer 2 blockchains to ensure aid reaches those in need. ENS has collaborated with @endaomentdotorg to streamline donations for impactful assistance. @RESCUEorg now utilizes the ENS name 'irc.eth' for collecting funds, emphasizing the crypto community's support for critical humanitarian work. ENS continues to promote joint efforts with @RESCUEorg for a more compassionate global community.
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