During everyday internet use, traditional name services like the Domain Name System (DNS) enable seamless web navigation. However, solutions aligning with Web3 ideals—particularly for fully decentralized applications—remain underutilized despite their potential.
The Shift to Decentralized Naming
Unlike the centralized governance of DNS, decentralized blockchain-based naming services offer:
- Credible neutrality: No single entity controls the system
- Permissionless access: Open participation without gatekeepers
- Direct ownership: True user control over domain assets
While DNS relies on a distributed hierarchy of name servers managed by ICANN (via IANA), Web3 alternatives eliminate centralized oversight through blockchain consensus mechanisms.
Evaluating Web3 Name Services
Our selection process focused on these critical criteria:
- EVM compatibility: Full Ethereum Virtual Machine support
- Human-readable domains: User-friendly naming conventions
- Decentralization: Minimized single points of failure
- CI/CD integration: Programmatic record updates for DevOps
- Economic viability: Low-cost record modifications
Comparative Analysis of Leading Solutions
| Service | Ecosystem | Decentralized | Maturity | Pricing Model | Record Types | Update Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS (.eth) | Ethereum | Yes | Production | Annual lease | IPFS/Arweave IDs | High |
| L2 ENS | Optimism | Yes | Early testing | Similar to ENS | Expected same as ENS | Very low |
| Unstoppable Domains | Multi-chain | No | Production | One-time purchase | IPFS | Low |
| Arweave Name System | Arweave | Yes | Late testing | One-time purchase | Arweave transaction IDs | Very low |
Deep Dive: Ethereum Name Service (ENS)
As the most recognized EVM naming solution, ENS enables:
- Personal crypto address aliasing (e.g.,
yourname.eth) - Multiple record types (content hashes, ABIs, text)
- IPFS/Arweave content resolution
However, challenges include:
- Browser integration limitations (requires extensions)
- Expensive Ethereum mainnet transactions for updates
- Potential DNS conflicts with
.ethTLD adoption
👉 Discover how Layer 2 solutions are revolutionizing ENS costs
Emerging Alternatives
Layer 2 ENS Solutions
Early-stage implementations on Optimism promise:
- Same ENS functionality
- Fractional transaction costs
- EVM Gateway interoperability (in development)
Arweave Name System (ArNS)
This novel approach offers:
- ANT (Arweave Name Token) ownership
- Ultra-low update costs (~$0.0001 per change)
- Native Arweave transaction resolution
- Seamless CI/CD integration
Hybrid Resolution Architecture
We pioneered an innovative gateway solution combining:
- ENS for brand recognition (
yourname.eth) - ArNS for economical mutability
Custom eth.limo gateway logic resolving:
- Directly to ENS records when static
- Through ANT records when mutable
This achieves:
- Recognizable
.ethaddressing - Affordable frequent updates
- Decentralized redundancy
Technical Implementation
Our open-source arweave-bundler now supports automated ANT record updates via:
# Explicit record update
npx arweave-bundler set --ant-address ANT_ID --manifest-id TX_ID
# Implicit update during upload
npx arweave-bundler upload build/ --ant-address ANT_IDThe Future of Decentralized Naming
As Web3 adoption grows, we anticipate:
- Universal browser support for native resolution
- Cross-chain naming interoperability
- Enhanced domain functionality (subdomains, wildcards)
- Expanded TLD options beyond
.eth
👉 Explore how OKX is bridging Web2 and Web3 naming
FAQs
Q: How does ENS differ from traditional DNS?
A: ENS operates on Ethereum blockchain with user-owned domains, while DNS uses centralized ICANN governance.
Q: Why choose ArNS over ENS?
A: ArNS offers permanent ownership and ultra-low update costs (~1000x cheaper than ENS mainnet).
Q: Can I use my .eth domain with Arweave content?
A: Yes, ENS supports Arweave transaction IDs as content hashes, though browser support remains limited.
Q: How do gateways like eth.limo work?
A: They resolve blockchain domains over HTTPS by querying on-chain records and serving the referenced content.
Q: What's the advantage of hybrid ENS/ArNS resolution?
A: Combines ENS recognition with ArNS affordability while maintaining decentralization.
Q: How often can I update my ArNS records?
A: As frequently as needed—each update costs fractions of a cent in Arweave transaction fees.