Ethereum Name Service protocol
Overview
The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a decentralized domain name protocol built on Ethereum. It maps human-readable names like 'alice.eth' to machine-readable identifiers such as Ethereum addresses, content hashes, and metadata. ENS operates through a system of smart contracts; since the May 2019 registrar upgrade, names are registered under an annual rental model with yearly renewal fees rather than the original auction process (a decaying temporary premium still applies only to recently-expired names).
Within the DeFi Intel graph, Ethereum Name Service connects to 5 tracked entities, most strongly to ENS DAO, ENS Token, Ethereum.
Relations
Top connections in the DeFi Intel knowledge graph (confidence-weighted, 3 of 3 total).
| Relation | Connected entity | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
governed_by | ENS DAO | 95% |
supports_token | ENS Token | 95% |
deployed_on | Ethereum | 85% |
Frequently asked questions
What is Ethereum Name Service?
ENS is a distributed, open, and extensible naming system based on the Ethereum blockchain. It translates human-readable names into addresses and other identifiers, functioning similarly to the internet's Domain Name System (DNS) but for blockchain resources.
How does ENS handle name ownership and resolution?
ENS uses a two-layer architecture: the registry records which names are owned by which addresses, and resolvers translate names to the desired records (e.g., ETH address, content hash). Ownership is controlled by the registrant via a smart contract, and names can be transferred or subdomains created.
Can ENS names be used for other blockchains or off-chain data?
Yes, ENS supports resolving names to addresses on multiple blockchains (e.g., Bitcoin, Layer 2 chains) and to arbitrary text records or content. Resolvers can be custom-written, making ENS extensible for various use cases beyond Ethereum addresses.
What is Ethereum Name Service connected to?
In the DeFi Intel knowledge graph, Ethereum Name Service is linked to 5 other tracked entities, most strongly to ENS DAO, ENS Token, Ethereum.
Sources
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