Unstoppable Domains and Blockchain.com have unveiled a new collaboration to introduce and promote a web3 domain enabled with DNS under the extension “.blockchain.”

As per information shared with crypto.news, the two entities have united to officially register the .blockchain web3 domain with ICANN, the global governing body for IP addresses and domain names. ICANN is slated to roll out new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) by 2026.

The process kicks off with the release of ICANN’s Applicant’s Guidebook next year, giving the companies a year to get ready for the application of the new domain. “The partnership between Blockchain.com and Unstoppable Domains is geared towards preparing for this impending ICANN application,” a spokesperson informed crypto.news.

Once approved by ICANN, the .blockchain domain will join the ranks of existing top-level domains like .com and .net, offering a dedicated space for businesses related to blockchain.

“When accredited by ICANN, the .blockchain gTLD will function as both a web2 and web3 domain […] It will combine web3 and traditional web2 browsing capabilities, enhance accessibility, and enable users to seamlessly utilize “.blockchain” domains across both ecosystems. This would encompass email, website resolution, and more for Web2 functionalities,” the spokesperson elaborated.

Established in 2018, Unstoppable Domains has been utilizing blockchain technology to empower users with control over their digital identities. The company aims to provide personalized domain names for individuals, brands, and businesses, expanding the utilization of blockchain-based domains.

Unstoppable Domains’ collaboration with Blockchain.com is geared towards bridging the gap between web2 and web3, similar to the recent integration of browser-compatible “.box” web domains by Ethereum Name Service.

The .box domain is an ICANN-approved top-level domain and is the first on-chain gTLD featured in the ENS manager app alongside .eth. Domains hosted on .box are searchable and indexable on major browsers like Google Chrome and Safari, making them compatible with popular email services.

Web3 domains are novel web extensions launched as smart contracts on public blockchains like Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana. Extensions like .sol or .crypto can replace lengthy wallet addresses for crypto transactions, as well as be utilized for website hosting and single sign-on methods for various web3 applications.

The allure of web3 domain names lies in their simplicity, offering users a more user-friendly way to interact with wallet addresses. “.blockchain” and other web3 domains are unique NFTs hosted on a public, immutable blockchain, providing users with complete ownership of their data and serving as their digital identity.

In a recent development, FIDA, the token governing Solana-based infrastructure developer Bonfida, experienced a significant surge following the launch of its Solana Name Service (SNS) in China. Users are currently purchasing popular domain names through these platforms in anticipation of corporations registering their brands.

Unstoppable Domains and Blockchain.com have united to introduce and advocate for a DNS-enabled web3 domain with the “.blockchain” extension.

The two companies have collaborated to secure the .blockchain web3 domain with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the global entity overseeing IP addresses and domain names.

ICANN is preparing to launch new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) by 2026. The process will commence with the release of ICANN’s Applicant’s Guidebook next year, giving the firms a year to get ready for the application of the new domain.

“The partnership between Blockchain.com and Unstoppable Domains is primarily focused on preparation for the forthcoming ICANN application,” a spokesperson shared with crypto.news.

Upon approval by ICANN, the .blockchain domain will join the ranks of existing top-level domains (TLD) like .com and .net, providing a designated space for blockchain-related enterprises.

“After being approved by ICANN, the .blockchain gTLD will function as both a web2 domain and a web3 domain […] It will combine web3 and traditional web2 browsing capabilities, improve accessibility, and enable users to seamlessly use “.blockchain” domains across both ecosystems. This will include functions like email and website resolution for web2 capabilities,” the spokesperson elaborated.

Established in 2018, Unstoppable Domains has been utilizing blockchain technology to empower users with control over their digital identities. The company aims to offer customized domain names for individuals, brands, and businesses, expanding the reach of blockchain-based domains.

The collaboration between Unstoppable Domains and Blockchain.com seeks to bridge the gap between web2 and web3, similar to Ethereum Name Service’s recent integration of browser-compatible “.box” web domains.

The .box domain is an ICANN-approved top-level domain and is the first on-chain gTLD included in the ENS manager app alongside .eth. Domains hosted on .box are searchable and indexable on major browsers like Google Chrome and Safari, making them compatible with popular email services.

Web3 domains are innovative web extensions, similar to .com or .in, created as smart contracts on public blockchains such as Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana. Extensions like .sol or .crypto can simplify cryptocurrency transactions by replacing lengthy wallet addresses.

The attractiveness of web3 domain names lies in their simplicity. Users can send funds to a memorable wallet address like “jack.eth” instead of a complex 42-character crypto wallet address, making it easier for consumers to interact with a named address.

“.blockchain” and other web3 domains take the form of unique non-fungible tokens (NFT). They are stored on a public, immutable blockchain, ensuring that they cannot be modified or deleted; they also grant users full ownership of their data and can function as a user’s digital identity,” the spokesperson emphasized.

Recently, the FIDA token governing Solana-based infrastructure developer Bonfida experienced a significant surge following the introduction of its Solana Name Service (SNS) in China.

Currently, users are acquiring popular domain names through these platforms, anticipating that companies will soon register their respective brands.