What Are Web3 Domains?

Modified on: Thu, 27 Feb, 2025 at 4:05 PM

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Web3 Domains are new web extensions (like .com or .info) launched as smart contracts on public blockchains. Similar to how their Web2 / DNS counterparts serve as a "phone book" for IP addresses when you browse the web, Web3 domains serve as phone book entries for complex crypto wallet addresses. This makes sending and receiving crypto easier, more secure, and gives you a self-sovereign identity you can use across the decentralized web.

Web3 domains resolve inside our 1000+ partner applications like Brave browser, Phantom wallet, and other premier crypto apps. Pure Web3 domains do not resolve in all browsers, though we also offer onchain Web2 / DNS domains that have both DNS and onchain resolution!


Web3 Domains are stored in a wallet by the owner, much like a cryptocurrency, and no third party can take them away. Pay once, and you own the domain for life, with no renewal fees. Our domains are ERC 721 on the Ethereum blockchain and Polygon Network.


Self-custody is one of the most important features of a Web3 Domain. This is what makes your domain decentralized - This is what gives you complete control over your domain!

A self-custody solution is possible because your domain is an asset on the blockchain and stored like a cryptocurrency in your wallet. This custody method gives your Web3 Domain “superpowers” that traditional domains do not have.

Due to the self-custody nature of your blockchain domain:

  • Can not be seized by a third party.

  • Can enable decentralized websites.

  • It can be transferred around the world in seconds without needing permission from any third party.

  • It gives the owner sole control and access to domain management features - adding crypto addresses and pointing content to your domain.


Replacing cryptocurrency addresses with a human-readable name

You control the domain, so you are the only person able to associate cryptocurrencies with it. Input your cryptocurrency addresses on the blockchain itself. When someone types your domain name (for example; yourname.crypto) into an integrated wallet, the wallet looks up that domain on the blockchain finds the appropriate address, and sends. It’s that simple.


FAQs

Do Web3 domains resolve in browsers like traditional / web2 / DNS domains?
Generally, no. Since Web3 domains are not part of the DNS, they will not resolve when you type them into most browser address bars. We do have an integration with Brave browser that provides this functionality, but not with other browsers or applications.


Is an Unstoppable Domain fully decentralized once it's claimed? 

The domains, once they are claimed, they will live in your crypto wallet as an NFT.


All the management of the domains is via Smart Contract and in order to write or perform any changes, transfers, enable or disable features, etc, it would require a signature and a transaction from the wallet address owning the domain.  If you try to manage a domain with a different wallet, you would simply get an error message asking you to sign the transaction with the correct wallet. 


Unstoppable Domains has no control over your domains after they are claimed and cannot block/restrict any access to the domain. You own the private keys of the wallet storing your domain and nobody will be able to take your domain/website/content/settings away from you. 


For more detailed information about how the domains work and how they are managed, we advise you to take a look at our documentation:

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