ENS

What Is Ethereum Name Service (ENS)?

Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a system that converts complex Ethereum addresses into easy-to-read names, similar to replacing a street number with a person’s name. Instead of copying a long hexadecimal address starting with 0x, users can receive payments or display their identity using a human-readable name like yourname.eth.

An Ethereum address is a hexadecimal string that’s prone to input errors. ENS enables you to bind a name to your address, allowing wallets and applications to find you by name. ENS is also an open infrastructure, meaning any application can integrate it, preventing monopoly or control by any single platform.

How Does Ethereum Name Service (ENS) Work?

ENS operates through a set of smart contracts deployed on the blockchain. These contracts record who owns a particular name and handle the resolution of names into addresses or other records. Smart contracts are self-executing programs on the blockchain, ensuring data integrity and tamper resistance.

Ownership of an ENS name is typically represented by a transferable NFT, which acts as a digital certificate proving control over a .eth name. Resolution is handled by “resolver” contracts, which store your address, text records, avatar links, and more.

ENS names have expiration dates, requiring holders to renew them to maintain validity. Owners can also create subdomains—such as app.yourname.eth—for team management, service distribution, or access control.

What Are the Use Cases of Ethereum Name Service (ENS)?

The primary use case for ENS is making payments and transfers safer and more intuitive. In wallets that support ENS, simply entering yourname.eth in the recipient field will resolve to the linked address, minimizing copy-paste errors.

ENS also serves as your on-chain business card. Many applications can read ENS text records—such as avatars, social links, or bios—to display your Web3 identity. You can also map your ENS name to decentralized websites by resolving yourname.eth to an IPFS gateway. IPFS is a distributed storage network that can host static web pages.

ENS supports multi-currency addresses: you can link ETH, USDC, or other network addresses under one ENS name. Applications can then resolve the correct address for each token as needed.

How to Register and Renew an Ethereum Name Service (ENS) Domain?

Registration and renewal are straightforward and can be done through a browser:

Step 1: Prepare an Ethereum wallet with some ETH for paying the annual fee and on-chain transaction gas fees. Gas fees are network transaction costs that fluctuate based on congestion.

Step 2: Visit the official ENS platform (commonly accessed via app.ens.domains), connect your wallet, search for your desired name, and check availability.

Step 3: Confirm price and duration. Shorter names are scarcer and more expensive; longer names have lower annual fees. The site will display both the yearly fee and estimated gas fees.

Step 4: Complete the “two-step registration” (commit and register). First, you submit your intent on-chain (commit), then confirm registration after a short wait—this prevents others from front-running your search.

Step 5: Set up resolvers and records. After activation, select a resolver contract and add your ETH address, text information, etc., ensuring your name resolves correctly.

Step 6: Set your Primary ENS Name. To have applications display your name instead of your address, set this name as primary in your wallet—enabling reverse resolution.

Step 7: Renew and set reminders. It’s recommended to renew before expiration; many tools offer notifications. If expired, your domain enters a grace period before being auctioned to others.

How to Use ENS in Wallets and Gate?

Using ENS in wallets is simple: enter yourname.eth in the recipient field when sending or receiving assets, and the application will resolve it via the resolver contract. Always verify that the resolved address matches your intended recipient before confirming any transaction.

On Gate’s Ethereum withdrawal page, if ENS resolution is supported, you can enter an ENS name directly in the recipient field; the system will resolve it to the target address. For security, test with a small transaction first or cross-verify the resolved address to prevent errors due to similar names or incorrect records.

Many applications also display your primary ENS name via reverse resolution—turning addresses into names. You can set your ENS as primary in profile settings for unified identity display across platforms.

How Does ENS Differ from Traditional DNS?

The main difference between ENS and DNS lies in control. DNS relies on registrars and root server infrastructure—domain ownership can be affected by platforms or regulations. ENS is maintained by on-chain smart contracts; you control ownership and resolution records with your wallet.

Resolution functions also differ: DNS primarily maps domains to IP addresses for website access, whereas ENS can resolve not only addresses but also text records, IPFS content hashes, multi-currency payment information, and more—making it more suited for on-chain identity and asset management.

Fee and risk structures vary as well. DNS fees are paid to registrars; ENS fees are paid on-chain and depend on gas prices and name length. While ENS eliminates traditional hijacking risks, users must manage their keys and renewals personally.

Is ENS Available on Multiple Chains and Layer 2?

ENS registration and core management occur on Ethereum mainnet; however, many applications support reading and using ENS names across Layer 2 networks. Layer 2 refers to scaling solutions for Ethereum—offering lower fees and faster transactions.

You can add payment addresses from different networks in your ENS records. When sending assets, applications can choose the relevant address per token or network. As multi-chain support grows (as of 2025), more wallets resolve ENS on Layer 2 environments for greater usability.

What Are the Risks and Precautions of Using ENS?

The primary security risk is entering the wrong or a lookalike name—attackers may register visually similar names (with similar characters) to trick users into misdirecting funds. Always double-check resolved addresses before transfers; if unsure, start with a small test transaction.

Renewal risk is another factor: if your name expires, someone else can register it, affecting payments or brand rights. Set reminders and renew early to avoid auction or recovery periods.

Key and permission management is critical: since ENS ownership is tied to your wallet, loss of keys or granting malicious approvals can result in loss of access. Back up your seed phrase securely and avoid signing unknown authorizations.

Incorrect resolver settings or missing address records may cause failed transactions or misdirection. After updates, always verify records using wallets or resolution tools.

How to Choose an Ethereum Name Service (ENS) Name?

ENS names should be short, memorable, and consistent with personal or brand identity. Shorter names are more recognizable but have higher annual fees—you’ll need to balance cost against visibility.

Avoid conflicts with well-known brands or trademarks to reduce legal risk or community disputes. Use common character sets and avoid visually ambiguous characters or symbols to minimize impersonation or confusion.

After registration, complete all records promptly: set your ETH address, avatar, social links; enable primary naming and reverse resolution. For teams or projects, use subdomains for permissions and internal roles.

What Are Future Trends for Ethereum Name Service (ENS)?

ENS is evolving from “readable addresses” into “on-chain identity gateways.” By 2025, wallet, social protocol, and website gateway support has expanded—names are used not just for payments but also as carriers of personal profiles and access controls.

As Layer 2 networks and multi-chain tools mature, registration and resolution costs decrease while cross-network usability improves. ENS could integrate with verifiable credentials or social graph components to become a unified Web3 identity card. For everyday users, ENS’s value lies in fewer transaction errors, more consistent identity display, and better cross-application experiences.

FAQ

Do ENS Domains Expire? Can I Recover an Expired Domain?

ENS domains require periodic renewal—typically with a minimum period of one year—to maintain ownership. After expiration, there’s a 30-day grace period during which the original owner can renew; after that, the domain goes to public auction where anyone can register it. Setting auto-renewal helps prevent accidental loss of important domains.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy an ENS Domain?

ENS registration fees depend on domain length: three-character domains are most expensive (often thousands of USDT per year), four- or five-character domains are cheaper (tens to hundreds of USDT per year), while six characters or more are even less expensive. In addition to registration fees, you’ll need to pay gas fees for on-chain transactions—which can be high during network congestion. Real-time ENS prices are available through Gate’s Web3 wallet features.

What If My Desired ENS Domain Is Already Registered?

If someone has registered your brand or personal name as an ENS domain, you can try submitting a dispute through the ENS DAO governance process; however, this process is complex with limited success rates. A more practical approach is registering alternative variants (such as adding numbers or suffixes) or exploring other Web3 domain solutions. Proactive brand protection is essential.

What Can You Do With an ENS Domain? Is It Only for Receiving Crypto Assets?

ENS domains do more than simplify crypto transfers—they help build your Web3 identity. You can link wallet addresses, personal websites, social media accounts, making your ENS domain a digital “business card” for Web3. Platforms like Gate allow direct transfers using ENS names—no need to copy long addresses—greatly reducing transfer error risks.

Can You Sell or Transfer an ENS Domain?

ENS domains are freely tradable like NFTs. You can list them on NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea or transfer directly to another wallet address. Be mindful of gas costs and market price volatility when trading; using reputable platforms reduces risk. Also watch out for scams involving low-priced domains.