Ethereum Name Service (ENS)

• Blockchain Council
• September 17, 2024

Overview

Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a decentralized and open-source technology built on the Ethereum Blockchain. It provides a naming system that allows people to map human-readable names like “myname. eth” to machine-readable identifiers like Ethereum addresses. The purpose of ENS is to simplify accessing and interacting with decentralized applications (dapps) and smart contracts on the Ethereum network. Before the advent of domain services in web 3, machine-readable wallet address names like “fsfds7dduds8” were the only way to search for a particular wallet.

Introduction

ENS is important to crypto because its use case is more comprehensive than decreased complexity. But also because, unlike the DNS, it is not prone to security breaches. The data on an ENS address is saved on a decentralized Ethereum blockchain, unlike a centralized system employed by the DNS, making it prone to hacking attacks and various other vulnerabilities. It makes the interaction between the brands and their customer base easier and more transparent. This makes ENS an attractive choice for businesses and enterprises looking to provide their users with security. They will also need professionals with Ethereum training and the necessary skills to help them create their footing in web3.

What is Ethereum Name Service (ENS)?

Crypto, since its advent, has been using a highly complex system to track and find wallets very similar to the IP address system. It was solved when ENS was introduced. It made sending crypto to any wallet accessible without writing a complete wallet address. It provides a mapping between human-readable domain names and Ethereum addresses. This allows users to replace the long and complex Ethereum addresses with a simple, easy-to-remember domain name.

ENS operates as a distributed system, relying on a network of nodes to resolve domain names and retrieve Ethereum addresses. The resolution of domain names is handled through a decentralized auction system, where the highest bidder is granted the right to use the domain name. Using ENS enables users to easily access decentralized applications, smart contracts, and other services associated with Ethereum addresses. This can improve the overall user experience by reducing the need for lengthy and complex Ethereum addresses. Ethereum name service is changing the web3, and brands are taking an active part in it. These brands provide people with blockchain technology training opportunities to work for them.

How Does ENS Work?

ENS consists of two key components: a registry and resolvers. A registry is a smart contract that maintains a mapping of domain names to Ethereum addresses. The resolvers are responsible for resolving domain names to their corresponding Ethereum addresses.

When a user wants to register a domain name, they send a transaction to the smart registry contract with the desired domain name and the Ethereum address they want it to resolve. Once the transaction is confirmed, the registry will store the domain name mapping to the Ethereum address.

Benefits of Using ENS

There are multiple benefits associated with using the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), including:

Human-Readable Names 

ENS allows users to map their Ethereum addresses to human-readable domain names (e.g., “myname.eth”). This is a massive upgrade from the previously available method of using a complete blockchain address to search for a particular address to send crypto. This eliminates the need to remember long and complex Ethereum addresses, often composed of a string of random characters.

Increased Security

Using ENS, users can avoid potential security risks associated with manually entering Ethereum addresses. The chance of getting your data leaked is also meager regarding ENS. the long wallet address also increases the chance of human errors. With ENS, users only need to remember a single, human-readable domain name, reducing the risk of typos or mistakes that could result in the loss of funds.

Better Accessibility

ENS makes it extremely easy to access dapps and other web3 apps. You don’t have to manually enter the long wallet address whenever you want to connect with an application. All you need to do is use your domain or subdomains depending upon the use case.

Expansion Options

ENS provides expansion options, allowing users to associate additional information, such as content hashes or other data, with their domain names. This enables dApp developers to use ENS to store important information and content on the Ethereum blockchain.

Decentralized Architecture

ENS is built on the Ethereum blockchain, which is a decentralized platform. This provides users increased security, reliability, and control, as their domain names and associated information are stored on a secure and decentralized network.

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Latest Trends and Milestones in ENS

ENS has seen significant growth since its launch in 2017. In recent years, it has seen increased adoption and integration with various decentralized applications and wallets. The ENS team has also been working on improving the performance and scalability of the system. The number of domains created since its inception reached 2.8 million in 2022 and is still multiplying.

The Review Sync Feature

Several new features were introduced to the ENS system, including a sweep feature, bulk renewal, bulk listings, bulk transfer, and renewal sync. The community highly praised all these features, especially the “renewal sync” feature that allows users to sync their multiple ENS domains to renew at set intervals so that all of them expire on the same date. This feature is useful for brands and individuals managing multiple domains and prevents the hassle of renewing the domains separately.

New Efforts for Fruitful Results 

ENS domains are still in the early stages, and the sale of domains like “cars.com” for more than $800 million shows that there will be a considerable market for domains in the future. With the increasing demand for particular domains, prices for popular domains will increase multiple folds. There will also be a need for professionals who can work to create a bridge between web three domains and their accessibility with different applications to create a smooth functioning system.

Chain is a blockchain brand that recently partnered with NFL’s New England Patriots, and soon, the domain “patriots.eth” was bought for $75 million. Different brands seek perfect opportunities to invest in their domains and for professionals who can bridge the gap between the web three ecosystem and integrate it with their products to reach a more comprehensive audience range.

Conclusion

ENS plays a crucial role in the blockchain and crypto world by simplifying the process of accessing decentralized applications and smart contracts. Anyone looking to expand their portfolio will have to upskill and learn about ENS to stay ahead of the competition. ENS is an attractive bet for brands looking to expand their presence in the web three domain; professionals skilled in the field are in high demand.

ENS provides a user-friendly naming system that bridges the gap between human-readable names and machine-readable addresses. This is causing a massive surge in opportunities for professionals and enthusiasts looking to work in the ecosystem. With the growing trend of decentralized technologies and their increasing use cases, ENS is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of the blockchain and crypto world. It is still a new sphere. The brands and professionals who start early are poised to grow rapidly while they achieve new milestones.

FAQs

What is the Ethereum Name Service (ENS)?

The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a naming system based on the Ethereum Blockchain that maps human-readable names to machine-readable identifiers such as Ethereum addresses, content hashes, and metadata. It works similarly to a phone book that converts an Ethereum address into a human-readable URL and is part of a network of internet protocols.

What is the purpose of the ENS?

The ENS aims to convert human-readable addresses like yourname.eth to machine-readable addresses like veryverylongname.hash.you.

What is the ENS token?

The ENS token is the native currency of the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), launched on November 8th, 2021. It is an ERC-20 token with the same characteristics as other cryptocurrencies on Ethereum.

How does the ENS work?

The ENS works by interacting with the Ethereum Blockchain and serving as a distributed, open, and expandable naming system, similar to the role of the DNS.

How can I get an ENS name?

To get an ENS name, go to app.ens.domains, connect your Metamask wallet and search for an available ENS name. Registering the name for 10+ years is recommended to save on gas fees, though the transaction will cost around 250$ for 20 years.

What are data types supported by ENS?

ENS supports data types such as Ethereum addresses and emails.

Is there a way to query the ENS name service using an API endpoint?

It is possible to query the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) using an API endpoint and get a JSON response.

Are ENS domains ERC-721 tokens on the Ethereum Blockchain?

Yes, ENS domains are ERC-721 tokens on the Ethereum Blockchain and use the same token standard as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).