“Web3 TLDs” are blockchain-based domain extensions — like ENS's .eth, the Handshake root, and Unstoppable Domains' .crypto and .nft — that live outside the official ICANN/IANA root zone. They are typically bought once as NFTs rather than renewed yearly, mainly identify crypto wallets, and — crucially — do not resolve in normal browsers without special support.
Web3 names vs the real DNS
Every extension in our main TLD list is part of the single, coordinated ICANN/IANA root zone — the system that makes example.com resolve the same way for everyone, everywhere. "Web3" or "blockchain" domains are something different: naming systems built on a blockchain that deliberately sit outside that root. They promise user-owned names with no annual renewal and no central registrar, but they pay for it with a fundamental limitation — the rest of the internet does not recognise them by default.
It is worth being precise about language. A genuine top-level domain is delegated in the IANA root and resolves globally in the DNS. A Web3 name is an entry in a blockchain naming contract. They can look similar (name.eth resembles name.com) but they are governed and resolved by completely separate systems. Our ICANN TLD list explains the official root; this page covers the blockchain alternatives.
The three main Web3 naming systems
- ENS — Ethereum Name Service (.eth). The largest and most established. ENS maps a readable name to an Ethereum address and other records. .eth names renew with a small annual fee; ENS can also attach to real DNS TLDs that opt in.
- Handshake (HNS). A decentralised alternative root — instead of selling one extension, Handshake lets people own top-level names on its own blockchain root. Resolving Handshake names needs special resolvers or gateways.
- Unstoppable Domains. A commercial issuer of NFT domains across extensions such as .crypto, .nft, .wallet, .x, .dao and .888. Sold as one-time purchases, primarily for wallet addressing.
Web3 naming systems at a glance
How the main blockchain naming options compare. None of these are ICANN top-level domains, and none resolve in standard browsers without extra support.
| System | Examples | Model | Resolves in normal browsers? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENS | name.eth | Ethereum names; small annual fee; wallet + records. | No (needs gateway/extension) |
| Handshake | name/ (own root TLDs) | Decentralised alternative root; own the TLD itself. | No (needs HNS resolver) |
| Unstoppable | name.crypto, name.nft, name.x | One-time NFT purchase; mainly wallet addressing. | No (app/extension support only) |
| ICANN DNS (for contrast) | name.com, name.io | Annual registration in the global root zone. | Yes — everywhere, by default |
Last updated 20 June 2026 · Web3 naming is fast-moving and support varies by wallet, browser and app. Always verify current resolution before relying on a blockchain name.
Are Web3 TLDs worth it?
It depends entirely on what you want. As a crypto-native identity — a memorable handle for a wallet, a profile, an on-chain presence — a Web3 name like .eth is genuinely useful and increasingly recognised inside crypto apps. As a website address to replace a .com, it falls short today: no default browser resolution, fragmented support, potential ICANN clashes, and a speculative, volatile market. The pragmatic stance for most people is both-and: keep a real domain from the standard TLD list for your site and email, and add a Web3 name only if you operate on-chain. If you are drawn to Web3 mainly for the short, brandable feel, a real short extension like .io, .xyz or .ai gives you that with universal support.