As brands expand their online presence into new frontiers like Web3, securing digital real estate like never before will be paramount. The domain name system as we know it is evolving beyond traditional .coms with the rise of blockchain-based alternatives. By register x domain through services that handle the process, companies can cement their identity for the coming age of a decentralized internet. In this blog post, we explore why brands must adopt this technology before competitors beat them to it, the benefits it provides, and how to get started. We’ll discuss top registrars, the advantages of a .x or .crypto extension, and strategies to promote a new “register X domain” online presence.
The Benefits of web3 Domains
Here are the benefits of web3 domains:
Decentralization
One of the significant advantages of web3 domains is their decentralized nature. Unlike traditional parts, which are managed by centralized registries like ICAN or GoDaddy, web3 domains reside on distributed blockchains without any single control point. No single company or entity can censor or take down a domain. The domain system is spread across thousands of nodes on blockchains like Ethereum, making it incredibly resilient. Even if some nodes go offline, the domain system will continue operating smoothly. With decentralization also comes no single point of failure – hackers cannot target a central registry to hijack all domains. Web3 domains are owned through private keys stored by users, not by permissions given out by a major party. This decentralized model ensures the internet remains open and censorship-resistant far into the future.
Security
Web3 domains offer far superior security compared to traditional domain systems. Being built on top of blockchains like Ethereum means every domain transaction and change in ownership is recorded on an immutable, distributed ledger. It provides transparency and ensures domain ownership can always be verified as genuine. Unlike current domains, which have been vulnerable to hijacking through registry hacks and unauthorized transfers, blockchain domains are secure due to cryptographic keys being needed for any updates. The permanent record on the blockchain also prevents fraud like cybersquatting, as actual ownership is easily proven. Furthermore, the decentralized nature with no central point of attack makes web3 domains resilient against DDoS attacks or outright confiscation by bad actors. By eliminating vulnerabilities from centralized management and intermediaries, blockchain domains finally solve the long-standing problem of domain security and stability.
Ownership
With web3 domains, ownership rights are permanently established on the blockchain in a way that is fully decentralized and immutable. Domain owners genuinely possess their fields as digital assets without having to rely on the continued support of any third-party registrar. Transactions are verified directly by the blockchain network through public keys, providing valid proof of ownership. It means domains can be passed down through generations or used as inheritance. No centralized registry can reassign, revoke, or repossess a domain. Users retain full ownership, and payment is not required for annual renewals. Should a registrar ever shut down, domain ownership will remain utterly unaffected on the underlying blockchain. With ownership cemented and provable on the ledger, domain owners are finally in complete control.
Human-readable
While blockchain technology stores domain ownership via cryptographic hashes, web3 domains maintain a human-readable format, much like traditional domains. It provides recognizability and ease of use for people familiar with the current domain name system. Users can own a name like a brand name. Crypto rather than a random string of numbers and letters as their crypto address. This seamless integration of decentralization and familiar naming conventions ensures mass adoption by mainstream internet users. Even as the domain system becomes fully decentralized on the blockchain, web3 domains will be easy for people and companies to market, reference, and transition to. The human-readable aspect fosters familiarity while taking advantage of blockchain security and decentralization behind the scenes.
How Web3 Domain Registrar Works?
A web3 domain registrar acts as the interface between users and the blockchain where domains are stored. When a user wants to register a new domain like brandname.crypto, they will visit the website of a registrar like Unstoppable Domains or ENS. Here, they can search domain availability, pay the registration fee in a cryptocurrency like ETH, and input their Ethereum wallet address. The registrar will then deploy a smart contract to the blockchain, assigning ownership of that domain name to the user’s public key. This transaction gets recorded permanently on the ledger. From then on, users can manage their domain directly through the blockchain without needing the registrar.
When users want to update domain records, point it to a new website, or transfer ownership, they can do this by interacting with the smart contract through the blockchain. A web3 domain registrar allows users to perform these actions efficiently without requiring technical blockchain knowledge. The registrar provides an interface for everyday tasks like configuring DNS to link domains to IPFS sites or signing transactions to approve ownership transfers. The registrar may charge fees for their marketplace and management services. Still, they no longer act as the ultimate authority over domain ownership and control, which is assured by the decentralized blockchain.
Top web3 Domain Services
Here are the top web3 Domain Services are:
- Endless Domains: It is the world’s first web3 domain aggregator in the blockchain world. It is a leading marketplace of web3 domains offering buy, sell, and lease services for web3 domains. They have a diverse range of web3 TLDs. This is the best place to buy web3 domains at competitive prices.
- Unstoppable Domains: One of the largest providers of web3 domains, allowing users to register .crypto, .coin, and other extensions. It also offers services like DNS linking to IPFS sites.
- ENS (Ethereum Name Service): The original Ethereum domain provider, allowing for registration of .eth names mapped to Ethereum wallets. Active development community working on extensions.
- Handshake: Separate blockchain focused solely on domain functionality. Allows registration and management of .crypto and .onion domains with multi-signature support.
- Outside.xyz: Portal for web3 identity and personal profiles through ownership of .xyz domains linked to Ethereum accounts. Friends lists, messaging, etc.
- XDNS: Service targeting businesses and brands, offering registration and management of various .x domains like .x, .blockchain, .nft, etc. Through partnerships with different domain chains.
- Unstoppable Domains OpenSea: Marketplace enabling trading of web3 domain names as assets, allowing resale and transaction of ownership on popular NFT platform OpenSea.
Why Brands Should Adopt Blockchain Domains
With the rise of Web3, establishing an online presence and digital brand identity through domain ownership will be crucial for companies. Traditionally that meant grabbing a .com, but brands should now look to register a domain on the blockchain like brandname.x to future-proof themselves. Blockchain domains offer true ownership rights and a permanent spot on the distributed DNS, future-proofing a brand’s online identity. Services like XDNS make it easy for brands to register .x domains tied to their Ethereum name, giving them web3 credibility. Ownership of a .x domain also allows linking to blockchain profiles, wallet addresses, or NFT collections, deepening engagement with crypto users.
As more consumers interact through web3, brands that don’t register an X domain risk losing influence and reputation in this new arena. Without a domain on the ledger, companies may be unable to connect with or prove themselves to a blockchain-based audience. Just like companies rushed to secure their .coms years ago, forward-thinking brands must now adopt blockchain domains as a vital digital asset through services that handle the complex registration process. Owning a registered .x domain establishes an early foothold in web3 for building discoverability, community, and an extended online presence that will define commerce in the future internet.
Conclusion
The future of domain names is built on blockchain infrastructure like XDNS that supports the .x and other extensions. Forward-thinking brands that want to engage current and future customers in Web3 must secure their digital identity by registering an X domain. Doing so establishes an early foothold, protects a company’s online reputation, and futureproofs it for changes in how people access services and information. Those who wait risk losing influence over their brand perception or being left behind. By taking proactive steps to register X domain and promote it across channels, businesses can cement dominance as commerce and the economy evolve online. Now is the time for brands to adopt this new domain system and be a leader in the emerging decentralized web.