What Are Web3 Domains? An Introduction

Today, the face of the internet has changed. If we usually look at a website with a domain such as .com, .co, .org, etc, now we will often see the unique domain that never existed before, named a web3 domain.

In this article, we will explore together what web3 domains are, what makes them unique, and why web3 domains will become popular in the future.

What Are Web3 Domains: An Explanation of the Future Domain

The Web3 domain represents a revolutionary step in the evolution of the internet, a shift from centralized control to decentralized ownership. 

Unlike traditional Web2 domains such as .com or .org, which are leased through registrars and regulated by centralized bodies like ICANN, a Web3 domain is a blockchain-based digital asset that you can fully own and control.

At its core, a Web3 domain is more than just a website address—it is a gateway to your digital identity on the decentralized web. 

When someone owns a domain like butler.eth or future.crypto, they are not merely renting a name, they are holding a non-fungible token (NFT) in their wallet that grants them total authority over that domain.

Unique Things About Web3 Domains

Web3 domains introduce a set of groundbreaking features that make them fundamentally different from traditional web domains. 

These unique characteristics go beyond simple name registration, they empower individuals with true ownership, privacy, and functionality in the decentralized internet ecosystem.

Here’s what makes Web3 domains truly unique:

1. True Ownership

Web3 domains are stored in your crypto wallet as NFTs, meaning you fully own them. No one can take them away or censor them, and some come with no renewal fees; once you buy it, it’s yours forever.

2. Censorship-Resistant Websites

You can use Web3 domains to host content on decentralized storage networks like IPFS, making your website immune to takedowns or government censorship.

3. Simple Crypto Addresses

Say goodbye to long, complicated wallet addresses. A Web3 domain like yourname.eth can replace them with a human-readable name, making it easier and safer to send or receive crypto.

Read Also: Web3 Wallet vs Centralized Exchange: Key Differences

4. Unified Web3 Identity

Your domain acts as a digital identity across the decentralized web. It can be used to log in to dApps, showcase your NFTs, or represent your online persona, all with one name.

5. Programmable & Interoperable

Web3 domains are more than just names, they’re programmable. You can attach wallet addresses, social links, or even DAO roles, and they work across many platforms, wallets, and blockchain apps.

What Web3 Domains are used for

1. Human-Readable Wallet Addresses

One of the most practical uses of Web3 domains is simplifying cryptocurrency transactions. Instead of copying and pasting a long, complex string like 0x1234...abcd, you can send and receive funds using a human-friendly address like suri.eth or yourname.crypto. 

This not only makes transactions more accessible for everyday users but also significantly reduces the risk of errors or scams caused by mistyped wallet addresses. It’s the Web3 version of having a personalized email address for your money.

2. Decentralized Website Hosting

Web3 domains can be linked to content hosted on decentralized storage networks such as IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) or Arweave, making websites more secure and censorship-resistant. 

Unlike traditional websites hosted on centralized servers, which can be taken down by governments, service providers, or hackers, a decentralized website stays live as long as the content is pinned in the peer-to-peer network. 

This makes Web3 domains ideal for activists, journalists, and independent creators who want full control over their online presence.

3. Single Sign-On for dApps

Your Web3 domain also acts as a universal login credential for the decentralized web. Instead of managing dozens of usernames and passwords, you can log in to Web3 platforms (like NFT marketplaces, DeFi apps, or DAOs) simply by connecting your wallet that holds the domain.

This makes onboarding smoother, enhances privacy, and puts users in control of their own authentication. Your domain becomes your key to interacting across the Web3 ecosystem with just one click.

4. Digital Branding & Identity

Web3 domains offer a new form of digital branding in the blockchain era. Whether you’re an artist, influencer, developer, DAO, or startup, your domain can reflect your unique identity across wallets, social platforms, and decentralized communities. 

It’s your name, brand, and reputation, rolled into one verifiable, blockchain-based identifier.

Some users even use their domains as their online handles on X (Twitter), Discord, and Web3-based social platforms, building personal and professional recognition across the decentralized web.

How to Get and Use Web3 Domains

1. Choose a Web3 Domain Provider

First, pick a platform that offers Web3 domains. The most popular ones are:

• Ethereum Name Service (ENS) – offers .eth domains on the Ethereum blockchain.
• Unstoppable Domains – offers domains like .crypto, .nft, .wallet, .x, and more, on Ethereum, Polygon, and other blockchains.

ENS domains often require paying gas fees in ETH, while Unstoppable Domains may offer gasless minting and lifetime ownership.

2. Connect Your Crypto Wallet

Visit the domain provider’s website and connect your wallet:

• MetaMask (most commonly used)
• Coinbase Wallet
• WalletConnect-compatible wallets
• Unstoppable Domains also supports email + wallet login and non-MetaMask options

Your wallet is where the domain will live as an NFT.

Read Also: Download MetaMask Wallet: Chrome, Firefox, and Mobile

3. Search and Purchase Your Domain

Use the search bar to find an available domain (e.g., yourname.eth, brandname.crypto). If available:

• ENS domains typically require an annual fee (plus Ethereum gas fees)
• Unstoppable Domains offers one-time payment with no renewals

Pay using crypto like ETH, USDC, or a supported card option if allowed.

4. Mint the Domain to Your Wallet

After purchase, the domain must be minted to your blockchain wallet. This means the domain becomes an NFT that only you control. 

ENS usually requires on-chain transactions, while Unstoppable Domains may do this instantly with no gas.

5. Set Up Domain Records (Optional)

You can now customize your domain to:

• Link it to your wallet address (ETH, BTC, LTC, etc.)
• Add metadata like email, website, and social profiles
• Point it to IPFS content to host decentralized websites
• Use it to receive crypto (e.g., someone sends to yourname.eth instead of 0xabc...123)

Both ENS and Unstoppable Domains offer easy dashboards to manage these settings.

6. Start Using It!

You can now:

• Share your domain for crypto payments
• Use it to log in to dApps (like OpenSea, Uniswap, Lens, etc.)
• Showcase it as your online Web3 identity
• Host a decentralized website tied to the domain

Final Note

Web3 domains are more than just digital addresses, they are a new kind of internet identity built on blockchain technology. 

Unlike traditional domains controlled by centralized authorities, Web3 domains are owned as NFTs, giving individuals full control, permanence, and security over their digital presence.

These domains simplify crypto transactions by replacing complex wallet addresses with readable names like yourname.eth, and they enable censorship-resistant websites, seamless login to decentralized applications (dApps), and unified branding across the Web3 ecosystem.

As the internet evolves into a decentralized, user-first environment, Web3 domains stand at the forefront, serving as your passport to the Web3 world, where you don’t just participate, you own your identity, data, and online space.

FAQ

1. What is a Web3 domain, and how is it different from a regular domain?

A Web3 domain is a blockchain-based domain name (like yourname.eth or brand.crypto) stored in your crypto wallet as an NFT. Unlike traditional domains like .com, which are leased and controlled by registrars, Web3 domains are fully owned by the buyer and are often censorship-resistant and permanently yours with no renewal fees (depending on the provider).

2. How can I buy a Web3 domain?

You can buy Web3 domains through platforms like:

• Ethereum Name Service (ENS) for .eth domains
• Unstoppable Domains for .crypto, .nft, and more. Connect your crypto wallet, search for your desired name, and complete the purchase using ETH, USDC, or other accepted payments.

3. What can I do with a Web3 domain?

Web3 domains can be used to:

• Replace long wallet addresses for crypto transactions
• Host decentralized websites on IPFS
• Log in to dApps as your Web3 identity
• Showcase digital assets like NFTs
• Create a personalized brand in the decentralized world

4. Do I need to renew a Web3 domain every year?

It depends on the provider:

• ENS (.eth) domains usually have annual renewal fees.
• Unstoppable Domains (.crypto, .nft, etc.) offers lifetime ownership with a one-time purchase—no renewals needed.

5. Can I sell or transfer my Web3 domain?

Yes! Web3 domains are NFTs, so you can sell, transfer, or trade them on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea or send them to another wallet address just like any other crypto asset.