Blockchain Domain Name: Decentralized Solution for Reconstructing Digital Identity and Network Addressing

Blockchain Domain Name: Decentralized Solution for Reconstructing Digital Identity and Network Addressing

In the traditional Internet, Domain Name System (DNS), as the core infrastructure of network addressing, relies on centralized institutional management, and there are risks such as domain name hijacking, censorship restrictions, and data opacity. With the development of blockchain technology, blockchain domain names (Blockchain-Based Domain Name) have emerged. It reconstructs the domain name system through a decentralized distributed ledger and realizes a new network ecology of "domain name as asset" and "address as identity". How does this new type of domain name break through the limitations of traditional DNS? And in which scenarios will it reshape the connection method of the digital world?

Core concept: Distributed addressing system on blockchain

Blockchain domain name is a decentralized Domain Name System built on blockchain technology. Essentially, it maps traditional domain names (such as .com, .org) or custom identifiers (such as ".eth" and ".bit") to unique digital assets on the blockchain, usually in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Unlike traditional domain names that rely on centralized institutions such as ICANN for registration and management, the entire process of registering, trading, and resolving blockchain domain names runs on the blockchain and has three core features.

• Decentralized management : Through smart contracts, domain names can be registered without permission (such as first-come, first-served or auction mechanisms), and users can fully control the ownership of domain names through private keys without the need for third-party approval.
• Multi-chain compatibility : supports cross-blockchain network mapping, a domain name can be associated with multiple wallet addresses such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, becoming a unified entrance for cross-chain assets;
• Data autonomy : Domain name resolution records (such as the IPFS hash value pointed to, smart contract address) are stored in the distributed ledger to prevent single points of failure and human tampering.

For example, the ".eth" domain name published by Ethereum Domain Name Service (ENS) can be associated with a wallet address by users after purchase, enabling "Zhangsan.eth" to replace complex hash addresses for transfers, while managing on-chain identity and data through the domain name.

Technical Architecture: Decentralized Parsing System Driven by Layered Protocols

The Technology Implementation of blockchain domain names relies on the collaboration of underlying protocols, smart contracts, and distributed storage to form a three-tier architecture system.

1. Underlying protocols and domain name standards

Mainstream protocols include:

• ENS (Ethereum Name Service) : An open-source Domain Name System based on Ethereum, using the ERC-721 standard to publish NFT domain names, supporting domain name resolution as wallet addresses, text data, or decentralized application (DApp) links;
• Handshake : A decentralized domain name protocol independent of traditional DNS, which assigns Top-Level Domain names (such as ".bit") through the Proof of Work (PoW) mechanism to achieve complete decentralization of domain name registration and resolution.
• Namecoin : The first Domain Name System based on the Bitcoin blockchain, exploring the anchoring of domain name registration records on the blockchain and pioneering distributed domain name management.

These protocols are compatible with the traditional internet through a unified resolution interface (such as DNS-over-HTTPS), allowing users to access resources pointed to by blockchain domain names without changing browsers.

1. Smart contract-driven domain name lifecycle management

Smart contracts undertake the core logic of domain name registration, renewal, and transactions.

• Registration mechanism : support "auction system" (such as high bidder) or "open registration" (such as in chronological order), the contract automatically executes domain name allocation to avoid squatting disputes;
• Ownership transfer : Users sign transactions through wallet addresses, and the domain ownership record is updated after smart contract verification. The transaction process is traceable and irreversible.
• Automatic renewal : preset domain name valid period (such as 1-10 years), before the expiration of the chain balance automatic deduction renewal, to prevent the domain name due to human negligence.

1. Distributed storage and cross-chain resolution

Blockchain domain names are usually combined with decentralized storage (such as IPFS and Filecoin) to store the content pointed to by the domain name (such as website data and identity credentials) in distributed nodes rather than centralized servers. For example, if a user resolves the "project.eth" domain name to an IPFS hash value, the content will be obtained from global nodes when accessing the domain name, ensuring the anti-censorship of network access. At the same time, cross-chain technology (such as Polkadot's XCMP protocol) supports the resolution and mapping of domain names between different blockchain networks, achieving "one domain name, multi-chain universality". HashKey Exchange supports compliance transactions of mainstream blockchain domain names in digital asset trading services. Through smart contract auditing and asset custody technology, it ensures the safe circulation of user domain name assets.

Application scenario: Reshaping the connectivity paradigm of the digital world

The emergence of blockchain domain names is reconstructing digital identity, network access, and asset interaction patterns from the bottom up.

1. "Digital doorplate" of decentralized network

In the Web3.0 ecosystem, blockchain domain names have become the core entry point for accessing decentralized applications (DApps). Users do not need to remember complex contract addresses, and can directly access DeFi protocols, NFT markets, or DAO platforms through "application.eth". For example, using "uniswap.eth" can quickly jump to the Uniswap transaction interface, enhancing user experience and brand recognition.

1. Unified carrier of digital identity

Blockchain domain names bind users' on-chain behavioral data (such as wallet transaction records and NFT holdings), becoming the core carrier of "self-sovereign identity" (SSI). For example, developers aggregate information such as GitHub code repository and on-chain contribution records through the "developer.bit" domain name to form a verifiable digital resume; creators use the "artist.eth" domain name to associate their work copyright NFTs with revenue addresses to build a decentralized personal brand system.

1. Aggregation hub for assets and data

Blockchain domain names can map multiple digital assets.

• Wallet address : associate the ".eth" domain name with the Ethereum wallet to achieve "username transfer" instead of the hash address, reducing the operation threshold;
• NFT and Tokens : Through the domain management interface, view and trade assets on the chain, such as all NFT collections held by aggregated users under the domain name "Collection.eth";
• Data Permissions : Set domain name resolution rules to control others' access to on-chain data. For example, the "medical record.bit" domain name only opens health data interfaces to authorized doctors. HashKey Exchange When exploring digital asset aggregation services, blockchain domain names are introduced as the core identifier of the user account system to help users manage multi-chain assets through a single domain name and improve digital asset management efficiency.

Although blockchain domain names have broad prospects, their development still faces challenges such as inconsistent technical standards (such as compatibility between different protocols), regulatory compliance (such as domain name intellectual property protection), and user awareness (such as the cost of traditional DNS user migration). With the maturity of the Web3.0 ecosystem, blockchain domain names are expected to become the core infrastructure connecting physical and digital identities, traditional Internet and decentralized networks, making the vision of "domain name is identity, address is the world" come true.