Ethereum Name Service

What Is ENS? Why Does Ethereum Need a Domain Name Service?

ENS, or Ethereum Name Service, is an open naming protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain. It enables users to replace long, hard-to-remember hexadecimal wallet addresses with simple, human-readable names like "alice.eth". Similar to assigning a nickname to a phone number, wallets and applications can interpret these names and automatically resolve them to the correct address, greatly reducing errors and communication costs.

Before ENS, sending transactions or signing messages required users to manually check lengthy addresses, which was not user-friendly and prone to mistakes. ENS standardizes "identity and naming" across the ecosystem, allowing wallets, DApps, browser extensions, and block explorers to recognize the same account or organization in a unified way.

How Does ENS Convert Complex Addresses Into Memorable Names?

ENS uses a process called "resolution" to map names to addresses. Think of it as looking up a dictionary: enter a name to find its corresponding address, or provide an address to find its primary name—known as reverse resolution.

When you input "alice.eth" in your wallet, it queries the ENS registry for the resolver assigned to that name. The resolver then retrieves the associated Ethereum address. Resolvers can store not just ETH addresses, but also addresses from other chains, text records, avatars, and more—making each name a unified entry point for identity.

What Are ENS’s Core Components? Roles of Registrar and Resolver

ENS has three main components. First is the Registry, which acts as a directory recording each name’s owner, resolver address, and subdomain permissions. Second is the Registrar, similar to an office for issuing certificates; it governs registration and renewal rules (for example, .eth names are managed by a specific registrar). Third is the Resolver, which works like customer support, answering queries about what address a particular name points to.

Names are typically represented as NFTs (with .eth second-level domains commonly using the ERC-721 standard), making ownership transferable and tradeable. Many users also “wrap” their names (NameWrapper) into another token form to enable granular permission management and subdomain issuance.

It’s important to distinguish between “owner” and “controller”: owners hold ultimate rights; controllers handle routine record updates. For security, controllers are usually set to frequently used addresses while owners remain in long-term cold storage.

How Do You Register an ENS Name? Steps for Beginners

Registering an ENS name typically takes place on Ethereum mainnet and requires both a registration fee and network transaction fees.

Step 1: Prepare your wallet and ETH. Acquire ETH via compliant channels and deposit it in your self-custody wallet. If using a platform’s Web3 gateway (like Gate’s Web3), connect your own wallet to continue.

Step 2: Access an official or community-verified front-end and connect your wallet. Always confirm you’re using trusted sites to avoid phishing.

Step 3: Search for your desired name and choose the registration duration. Annual fees vary based on name length—the shorter the name, the scarcer and more expensive it is.

Step 4: Submit a “commit” transaction. This records your intention to register the name on-chain as an anti-sniping measure.

Step 5: Wait for a short window (typically about one minute).

Step 6: Send the “reveal” transaction to finalize registration. Pay the registration fee and current network gas fees.

Step 7: Set up your resolver and records. Input your ETH address, other chain addresses, avatar, and text information in the resolver.

Step 8: Set your Primary Name so your address appears as “alice.eth” in supported applications.

Cost note: Total cost = annual fee (based on name length and years registered) + gas fees (which vary with network congestion). After registration, renew annually; expired names enter a grace period before they become available for others to register.

What Can You Do With ENS? Wallet Transfers and Decentralized Website Use Cases

The most common ENS use case is simplifying transfers and payments. In wallets or platforms that support ENS resolution, friends can send you crypto simply by entering your “name.eth”—the system reads your address and initiates the transaction. If supported by your platform, you can also enter an ENS name when withdrawing or transferring funds; on some exchanges’ Web3 gateways (such as Gate’s Web3), you can connect your wallet to experience ENS resolution within DApps.

ENS also serves as an on-chain “business card”. You can set avatars, Twitter handles, emails, PGP fingerprints, and other text records in your resolver—many wallets and social DApps display this info for increased recognizability.

ENS names can also point to decentralized websites by linking content hashes (contenthash) to sites on IPFS or Arweave. Supported browsers or gateways allow visitors to access these pages without relying on traditional servers—ideal for homepages or project documentation.

Teams and communities can manage members using subdomains (e.g., “alice.dao.eth”). Subdomains let organizations efficiently issue and reclaim identity markers at minimal cost.

Can ENS Be Used Across Multiple Chains and Layer2 Networks? Changes in Cost and Speed

ENS .eth names are registered on Ethereum mainnet, but records can include multi-chain addresses—such as BTC or Layer2 addresses. When resolving a name, wallets query records relevant to the target chain, enabling reuse of one name across multiple networks.

The community is exploring ways to move some write operations onto Layer2 solutions to reduce costs, while using protocols like CCIP-Read for cross-domain data fetching. This approach aims to maintain global uniqueness of names while making record updates cheaper and faster. Actual adoption will depend on ENS governance and technical progress.

Cost-wise, gas fees for registering or updating on mainnet can spike during periods of high network congestion. If certain actions move to Layer2s, costs are expected to drop significantly and speeds will improve; however, different solutions may have varying compatibility requirements for wallets and DApps.

How Is ENS Different From Traditional DNS? Comparison With Other Naming Services

Both ENS and DNS use hierarchical structures and map names to records. The key difference is in control and trust models. DNS is operated by centralized authorities and registrars with server-based resolution; ENS uses smart contracts and private keys for name control, with resolution performed via both on-chain and off-chain mechanisms—making it censorship-resistant and composable by design.

Compared to other blockchain-based naming systems, ENS benefits from broad ecosystem support and wallet integration; .eth names are widely compatible within Ethereum and its extensions. However, ENS registration fees and mainnet gas costs can be high during periods of congestion; short names are scarce, leading to higher auction or secondary market prices. Users should balance ecosystem compatibility, costs, and namespace preferences when choosing a service.

What Are the Risks and Common Pitfalls of ENS? Expiry, Phishing, Ownership Issues

First is phishing risk: always verify front-end sites and contract sources, be cautious with signatures and authorizations, and watch out for lookalike characters (such as similar letters or special symbols).

Second is expiration risk: ENS names are billed annually; if not renewed before expiry, they enter a grace period after which anyone can register them. Set reminders and renew promptly.

Third is permission and custody risk: distinguish between owner and controller roles; avoid granting full control to third-party scripts or services; don’t sign blanket permission approvals; if using NameWrapper, understand the implications of granting operator rights.

Pay attention also to transfer-related risks: transferring a name typically involves moving its corresponding NFT and control rights—ensure personal info is removed from records before transfer; verify counterparty addresses/contracts when trading on secondary markets to avoid off-platform fraud.

Legal risks are relevant when registering trademarked or brand-related names—evaluate potential disputes before registering.

ENS Trends: Technical Direction and Ecosystem Outlook

As of late 2025, community dashboards show that total ENS registrations have stabilized since their early peak; active holders and actual resolution usage remain steady, with wallet/DApp profile cards for ENS names becoming more common. Governance discussions center on lowering write costs, enhancing cross-chain data fetching (e.g., better Layer2 support via CCIP-Read), improving name wrapping/subdomain permission systems, and integrating with on-chain social identity frameworks.

On the application side, teams and DAOs increasingly use subdomains for member identification; individuals leverage ENS as a unified cross-platform profile linked with signature-based logins or verifiable credentials. On the tooling front, new libraries and indexing services have reduced integration complexity; exchange-provided Web3 gateways (like Gate’s Web3) help bring ENS capabilities to broader audiences.

ENS Key Takeaways: How To Decide If You Need ENS

If you regularly send or receive digital assets on-chain, want unified verifiable identity representation, or plan to build decentralized websites/organizational identity systems, registering an ENS name will greatly streamline interactions and boost credibility. If you use blockchain transactions only occasionally or are cost-sensitive, evaluate registration/renewal expenses based on current network fees. Regardless of registration status, always prioritize security: verify front-end sources, signature permissions, expiry alerts; allocate owner/controller roles wisely; use available Web3 gateways (such as Gate’s Web3) for wallet connection and ENS management as needed.

FAQ

What happens when my ENS domain expires? Can I renew it?

After expiration, an ENS domain enters a grace period (usually 30 days). During this time you can still renew it but must pay an extra fee. If not renewed before the grace period ends, the domain becomes available for others to register. It’s best to renew early; mainstream wallets like Gate support quick renewals so you avoid unnecessary loss.

Can my ENS domain be squatted or phished? How do I protect myself?

ENS domains are subject to squatting and phishing risks—for example, someone might register a lookalike domain for scams. Protection tips include: timely renewal so your domain isn’t lost; always use official ENS apps rather than third-party links; double-check recipient ENS names before transfers. Adding trusted address labels in secure wallets like Gate can further minimize risks.

How much does it cost to register an ENS name? What fees are involved?

ENS registration costs include two parts: the base registration fee (determined by domain length—e.g., three-character names around $640/year) plus gas fees (which fluctuate with Ethereum network conditions). Longer registration periods get better rates; most start with at least one year. Fees change in real time depending on congestion—register during off-peak hours to save on gas costs.

My wallet address is long—can ENS fully replace it?

ENS makes sharing addresses much easier but doesn’t fully replace your original address. Your wallet address still exists; ENS simply acts as an alias pointing to it. The benefit is you can provide a simple name (like vitalik.eth) for receiving payments or enter it directly when sending—but under the hood, transactions always use the actual address.

What if I don’t have ETH on mainnet? Can I use ENS on other chains?

ENS is primarily deployed on Ethereum mainnet but has expanded support for Layer2 networks like Arbitrum and Optimism. If your assets are on other blockchains (such as Polygon or BNB Chain), those chains are gradually integrating ENS or similar services. Use multi-chain wallets like Gate’s to check if your target chain supports ENS resolution before deciding whether to register.