Recently, the CEO of Coinbase, Brian Armstrong, gave an interview where he talked about his strong interest in the decentralized identity of ENS (Ethereum Name Service), the Ethereum-based crypto domain name service.
In the article we will go over ENS and how it can become a key identity for users in the cryptocurrency world.
ENS: the Ethereum-based crypto domain name service
“I’m pretty excited, for example, about decentralized identity with ENS [Ethereum-based decentralized domain name service]-this is a key component so that people’s identity doesn’t have to be owned by a big tech company.
Once you have decentralized identities, you can link them in a social graph, you can create decentralized social networks. You can have public profile pages with badges and credits. And your badge for access to buildings, tickets for test concerts of participation in all these kinds of things.”
This is how Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong talked about ENS, hinting that it will soon become a fundamental reality in people’s lives. But let’s see together what it is all about.
Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a decentralized domain name service built on the Ethereum blockchain.
This service provides users with human-readable names that can be used to send and receive cryptocurrencies, interact with smart contracts, and access decentralized applications (dApps).
ENS has become an essential tool for the Ethereum ecosystem, enabling users to navigate the decentralized web with ease.
Before the advent of ENS, cryptocurrency addresses were long strings of numbers and letters that were difficult to remember and share with others.
For example, Ethereum’s address “0x9FfFE440258B79c5d6604001674A4722FfC0f7Bc” is not easy to memorize.
ENS solves this problem by providing a human-readable name that can be linked to a cryptocurrency address, facilitating the sending and receiving of crypto without the need to remember long character strings.
The Ethereum Name Service system works by allowing users to register a unique domain name linked to their Ethereum address.
The registration process is simple and can be completed through a number of providers, including MyEtherWallet and MetaMask.
Once the domain name is registered, users can link it to their Ethereum address, allowing them to receive crypto simply by sharing their domain name with others.
ENS is not only a tool for sending and receiving cryptocurrencies. It can also be used to interact with smart contracts and access decentralized applications.
They can be used to automate a wide range of functions, including financial transactions, governance, and digital identity.
ENS simplifies interaction with these smart contracts by providing a human-readable name that can be linked to a specific contract address.
Ethereum Name Service’s (ENS) relationship with decentralized applications (dApps)
Decentralized applications, or dApps, are another important aspect of the Ethereum ecosystem. These applications are built on the Ethereum blockchain and offer a range of services, from decentralized finance (DeFi) to games and social networks.
ENS facilitates access to these applications by providing a human-readable name that can be used to navigate the decentralized web.
In fact, one of the main advantages of ENS is its decentralized nature. Unlike traditional domain name services, which are controlled by a central authority, ENS is completely decentralized, meaning that no single entity is in control of the system.
This makes ENS more resistant to censorship and provides users with greater control over their online identity.
The decentralized domain name service has also played a crucial role in reducing the margin of error during transactions of various types. A common error in cryptocurrency transactions is sending funds to the wrong address.
This can happen if the user mistypes a long string of characters or accidentally copies the wrong address. With ENS, this problem has been solved, reducing the possibility of errors.
Another advantage of ENS is its compatibility with a wide range of cryptocurrencies.
Although ENS was initially built for the Ethereum blockchain, it has since been expanded to support other networks, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Zcash.
This means that users can use ENS to send and receive a variety of cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile tool for the decentralized web.
The potential of Ethereum Name Service (ENS)
The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a revolutionary project that can change the way we interact with the Internet and the blockchain.
This simple innovation has the potential to make blockchain more accessible to a wider audience, easing the way people view the technology.
Indeed, one of the biggest barriers to entry for new users is the complexity of blockchain technology: the goal of ENS is to simplify the experience.
We can therefore conclude by explaining that ENS has revolutionary potential; in the coming years the whole crypto world will be accessible to anyone, thanks in part to this technology.
It is no coincidence that the CEO of the Coinbase exchange discussed it positively during his last interview.
Source: https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2023/03/09/what-ens-crypto-domain-name-service/