Unstoppable Domains emerged as a leading brand in the non-DNS domain name space. Its name derives from the fact that domains offered by the registry are indeed "unstoppable": they provide resistance to institutional control and censorship.
Holders of "unstoppable" names can leverage all the advantages granted by the decentralized space, freely using their addresses for both crypto transactions and publishing content. Let’s delve into the topic and explain in detail how things work in the Unstoppable ecosystem vs the traditional one.
How do traditional domains work?
Traditional domains operate within the Domain Name System (DNS). It’s a name service that translates human-readable domain names, like CNN.com or FoxNews.com, into numerical IP addresses understandable for computers. This allows users to access websites using easy-to-remember names instead of complex numbers.
The DNS is coordinated by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), a non-profit organization that oversees the assignment of IP addresses, domain names, and other critical Internet resources. It also delegates authority for ccTLDs (country-code top-level domains such as .de or .fr) to respective country registries.
Overall, ICANN is the boss of the DNS space and, along with other authorities, can block, suspend, or even cancel existing domain names or prevent non-existent ones from being registered.
But here comes Unstoppable.
What are Unstoppable Domains? A new standard in the domain industry
Unstoppable Domains along with several other actors disrupted the traditional domain paradigm by moving domain names to blockchain.
Founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, the company broke into the name space with .crypto and .zil blockchain-based TLD extensions, offering censorship resistance and simplified cryptocurrency transactions.
The first ending has been intended for decentralized websites and cryptocurrency transactions, while .zil has been integrated with the Zilliqa blockchain. Over the years Unstoppable Domains added over twenty domains classified into three categories:
1. Web3 domains, including .crypto, .nft, .wallet, .polygon, .dao, .zil, .blockchain, .pudgy, .bitcoin, .austin, .com, .unstoppable, .raiin, .tball, .farms, .dfz, .pog, .smobler, .lfg, .dream
2. Web3-only domains, including .x, .eth, .888, .go
3. One traditional domain, namely .pw.
Web3 domains offered by Unstoppable Domains are not supported by the DNS system. Still, they are compliant with ICANN regulations and may be considered for future gTLDs (generic TLD ending akin to .com, .net, .biz, etc.).
Web3-only domains are inherently web3 assets that won’t meet ICANN requirements in the foreseeable future and will most likely stay in the decentralized web.
The .pw domain is a ccTLD for the Republic of Palau offered by Unstoppable Domains in partnership with Radix and branded as an acronym for public wallet. The registry isn’t clear about the nitty-gritty but it probably supports the registration of regular free .pw names and creates a web3 counterpart for that very name, allowing users to enjoy .pw addresses both in their traditional capacity and as web3 domains.
An "unstoppable" domain: a crypto wallet address and a digital identity for the web3 space
Web3 addresses from Unstoppable Domains are also known as NFT domains, because they are minted on blockchain networks like other types of NFTs, such as images or audio files.
Same as NFTs, "unstoppable" domains are unique and provide their owners with a form of digital identity in the decentralized space. The difference is – a web3 domain can work as a cryptocurrency address.
Specifically, blockchain-based domains can be linked to crypto wallets, serving as a user-friendly, mnemonic alternative to complex alphanumeric crypto addresses. Instead of using lengthy strings of characters (e.g., "0x1234abcd..."), users can use a name, like the one from Unstoppable Domains (e.g., yourname.crypto), to send and receive cryptocurrencies.
This approach makes it less likely that an error will occur during a transaction. The bottom line: it's much easier and safer for users to exchange crypto with a web3 domain name.
That's not all. Onchain domains can serve as a universal username for accessing various decentralized applications (dapps). Users can link multiple cryptocurrency wallet addresses, NFTs, and other digital assets to a single blockchain domain. This unified identity allows for seamless interactions within the web3 ecosystem, making it easier to manage online presence.
Overall, "unstoppable" domains align with the concept of self-sovereign identity (SSI), where individuals have full control over their personal data and can manage what information they share and with whom without relying on centralized platforms that often control data access and privacy.
What are key Unstoppable Domains' advantages?
Web3 domains are not exactly a substitute for traditional web addresses. Both types of assets have their unique advantages for businesses and individuals. For example, a business (or a person, for that matter) can use a regular domain for its official website while using a blockchain address to publish content targeting web3 users or accepting crypto payments.
Overall, “unstoppable” domains are an innovation offering substantial benefits for companies aiming at reinforcing their position in the web3 space as well as individual users looking for solid privacy mechanisms online. Here are some key advantages of decentralized web addresses.
Decentralization
As already said: unlike traditional domain names, managed by centralized registries, "unstoppable" domains are stored on a decentralized blockchain. This means there's no single point of failure and no central authority can control or censor them.
Ownership and control
Blockchain domains are typically owned by users rather than "leased" from a registrar (a company collaborating with a registry to sell its names). This enables users to fully control their domain names, including selling or transferring them to other parties.
Perpetual ownership
Once purchased, "unstoppable" domains are owned "forever". There are no renewal fees or expiration dates, ensuring long-term ownership and security.
Expanded use cases
As previously mentioned, beyond traditional website hosting, Unstoppable Domains addresses can be used for various purposes, such as cryptocurrency wallets, email addresses (branded as Unstoppable Email), and decentralized apps.
Multiple cryptocurrencies
Unstoppable Domains supports multiple cryptocurrencies for purchasing and managing domain names, offering flexibility and accessibility to a wider audience.
By moving domain names to the blockchain, Unstoppable Domains has challenged the centralized control of the traditional domain name system, offering users greater ownership, security, and flexibility, which translated to significant following and community engagement for the company.
The Unstoppable Domains platform keeps rolling out new TLDs and innovations in the blockchain domain industry and provides assistance to users and developers interested in pursuing the web3 cause.
The company has continuously demonstrated commitment to developing the decentralized space and is likely to launch new great web3-related services in the coming future.
FAQ
Is Unstoppable Domains legit?
Unstoppable Domains is a legitimate platform that allows users to create and manage blockchain-based domain names. These domains can be used for decentralized websites, crypto wallet addresses, and as universal usernames. The technology behind it ensures a secure connection and easy login process. The services help establish a strong online presence in the web3 space.
What does Unstoppable Domains do?
Unstoppable Domains enables users to own memorable web3 domain names that work with cryptocurrency payments, decentralized websites, and other blockchain-based services. The company also provides a platform for developers to build applications that integrate with these domains. The features include universal web3 logins, simple crypto payments, easy domain management, a decentralized website, extra revenue for authorized resellers, and further brand awareness for developers promoting their dapps on Unstoppable Domains’ website to over 218 thousand potential customers.
What is the difference between ENS and Unstoppable Domains?
The primary differences between Unstoppable Domains and Ethereum Name Service (ENS) are:
- payment structure: Unstoppable Domains requires a one-time payment for domain ownership, meaning users own their domains indefinitely without renewal fees, while ENS domains must be renewed annually,
- supported networks: Unstoppable Domains operates on both the Ethereum and Polygon blockchains, while ENS is exclusively built on the Ethereum blockchain,
- domain extensions: Unstoppable Domains offers a variety of TLDs, whereas ENS primarily uses the .eth extension.
Can I sell my "unstoppable" domain? Where to sell "unstoppable" domains?
Yes. Once minted, the domain functions like an NFT and can be sold on marketplaces such as OpenSea. This allows users to list their domains for sale, either at a fixed price or through auction, similar to other digital assets. In August 2024, recognizing the demand for domain flipping, Unstoppable Domains launched their own Unstoppable Marketplace on their website. The platform supports buying and selling Web3 and tokenized .com domains.
How to use an "unstoppable" domains for a website?
You can use “unstoppable” domains for a website as follows:
- buy a domain: log in to the Unstoppable Domains dashboard, search for your desired domain, and complete the purchase,
- build your website: create a static website by developing an index.html file and organizing all content in a single directory; you can use website builders or templates provided by Unstoppable Domains,
- upload to IPFS: upload your website files to IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) using a service like Filebase; ensure that you upload the entire folder containing your index.html,
- link your domain: in the Unstoppable Domains dashboard, go to your domain management page, select the “Website” option, and link it to your IPFS hash (CID) obtained from the upload process,
- launch your website: authorize the transaction through your crypto wallet, and your website will be live at your Unstoppable Domain. You can access it using compatible browsers like Brave or Opera. Find more information on the Unstoppable Domains’ website.
How to access an Unstoppable Domains website?
To access a website using an Unstoppable Domains-based URL follow these steps:
- use supported browsers: access .crypto domains directly using the Brave or Opera browsers, which natively resolve these domains,
- install browser extensions: for other top-level domains (like .nft or .wallet), download and install the Unstoppable Domains browser extension for Chrome or Firefox https://unstoppabledomains.com/extension ,
- enter the domain: type the domain name into the address bar, prefixed with http:// (e.g., http://yourdomain.crypto – i.e., a full URL), to navigate to the website.
