What Is Unstoppable Domains?

Unstoppable Domains’ major appeal is its wallet naming technology. A decentralized system of mapping cryptocurrency wallet addresses to simpler names gains many applications in the contemporary crypto space and the world outside it. Unstoppable Domains offers this on a platter and goes even beyond this.

The traditional cryptocurrency wallet addresses are a string of numbers and letters unique to every user. A cryptocurrency wallet address is a public key that identifies an account on the blockchain ledger. Transactions and assets owned by the user are recorded on the wallet and can be viewed by anyone who holds the correct address. To send crypto assets to a blockchain user, the sender would need to provide the correct recipient wallet address while executing the transaction.

Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are far-reaching. Penetrating every sector, it has found applications in most mainstream activities. But despite the appeal, having to copy a long string of numbers and letters every time is a real turnoff. Memorizing a proper cryptocurrency address is the closest thing to impossible.

Simply put, Unstoppable Domains’ technology presents an efficient way to transform cryptocurrency wallet addresses into shortened and fun names with crypto-centric domain extensions. The domain extension and name are chosen by the wallet owner.

For instance; with Unstoppable Domains, you can turn your lengthy Zilliqa blockchain wallet address into myname.zil or nickname.crypto. Unstoppable Domains offer Top level domains like .crypto, .zil, .coin, .wallet, .bitcoin, .nft and many more. Unstoppable Domains has reportedly registered over 2.5 Million addresses.

This shortened address can be provided when receiving crypto assets from peers. Unstoppable Domains’ wallet address service is currently supported by about 300 cryptocurrency projects including wallets, centralized exchanges, and decentralized applications.

Unstoppable Domains’ addresses are transforming into proper internet resource sites. In a press release, Brave browser announced that it had integrated Unstoppable Domains into its search bar. Thanks to this development, brave users have access to 30,000 decentralized websites and 700,000 blockchain domain names registered with Unstoppable Domains using search bars integrated on desktop and Android browsers. Other custodial browsers are developing similar facilities.

How Does Unstoppable Domains Work?

On the surface, creating a shortened cryptocurrency wallet address using Unstoppable Domains is a pretty straightforward process, however, this process is guided by a series of events happening under the hood.

Using the Crypto Name Service (CNS), Smart contract, and NFT technology, Unstoppable Domains converts wallet addresses into non-custodial domains that can be accessed through browsers and cryptocurrency wallets.

The Crypto Name Service (CNS) used by Unstoppable Domains features two smart contracts.

1. A Registry smart contract accepts a name (chosen by the domain owner) and maps it to a wallet address (provided by the domain owner)

2. A Resolver smart contract translates the domain name into a wallet address before executing a transaction.
   

Ownership and minting of new crypto domains and subdomains are controlled by the Registry smart contract. When domain owners choose a name for their wallet address, Unstoppable Domains translate this name into a domain. The registry smart contract pushes this domain from Unstoppable Domains’ database into the public ledger of the blockchain where the domain is being created. The domain minting process is completely decentralized and resistant to third-party influence (not even Unstoppable Domains has control over this process).

To execute transactions such as asset transfers; the Resolver contract translates the chosen domain name into a normal cryptocurrency wallet address. The smart contract resolves the domain name into the address provided by the domain owner and makes the transaction to the resolved address. Storage of domain records is also controlled by the Resolver smart contract. Unstoppable Domains can be uploaded to the InterPlanetary File system(IPFS), a decentralized and collaborative webpage delivery technology.

Unstoppable Domains addresses are ERC-721 standard NFTs. ERC-721 NFTs are flexible. They can be transferred from one wallet to another and are trackable. Unstoppable Domains addresses inherit this flexibility. They can be transferred like proper NFTs and easily used on decentralized applications (DApps), Web3 applications, and exchanges where Unstoppable Domains’ technology is supported.

Is Unstoppable Domains Safe?

Unstoppable Domains allow users to create accounts using their email addresses or just their wallet addresses. It can also store certain other personal details. However, it has been stated that this information will be totally hidden from the public view, except in situations where the user authorizes the display or access.

The Crypto Name Service (CNS) protocol on the other hand is a tightly regulated smart contract system with efficient error-proofs. This further potentiates the safety of Unstoppable Domains’ technology. At blockchain level, Unstoppable Domains is safe and secure. Having said that, other aspects of its infrastructure could be prone to exploitation. It is advisable to apply a good level of caution while interacting with decentralized applications.

How to Use Unstoppable Domains?

Create an Unstoppable Domains Account

To create an Unstoppable Domains account

1. Visit Unstoppable Domain’s website and click on Sign up/login. Available Sign-Up or Login option includes your Email or Web3 optimized wallet. Connecting Using your wallet is recommended.

   1. Using your wallet: Click Connect wallet and follow the prompts to connect to your wallet. Note that your wallet must support the blockchain you are minting on. Metamask, Coinbase wallet, MyEther wallet, and Wallet connect are available options.

1. Using your email: Click Continue with email to create your Unstoppable Domains account.

Searching and Buying a Domain

1. After creating your account or logging in using your wallet, you will be redirected to the homepage.

2. Click Find the perfect one from the center of your homepage or Get a new domain.

3. Search your chosen domain name on the search bar to see available domains and costs. Claimed domain names are greyed out and ownership status is indicated. You can also see domains that are up for sale. If interested, click Contact owner to discuss ownership transfer.

4. Choose from the available domain and click Add to Cart. Go to your Cart and initiate the payment process by clicking Checkout.

5. Select a preferred payment method. For cryptocurrency payments, an address is provided. Sent a minimum of the indicated cost to the provided address. Consider transaction fees while sending. Amount sent must be at least, equal to the domain cost after (blockchain) transaction fee has been deducted.

A deadline is given for payment. Ensure to pay the stated amount before the deadline.

Minting Your Unstoppable Domain

Minting is the process of pushing your domains from the Unstoppable Domains’ database onto the blockchain and into your cryptocurrency wallet. Minting a domain gives you full custody over the domain name. Unstoppable Domains addresses can be minted on Ethereum, Zilliqa and Polygon blockchain.

1. After purchasing your domain, it will appear under the My Domains section of our website.
2. Click the Free Mint button over the domain you wish to mint.
3. Enter your 2FA verification code.
4. Choose how to connect your wallet.
5. Confirm and sign the transaction.

Add Wallet Address(es) to Your Unstoppable Domain

Add your wallet addresses to your domain to use your purchased domain for receiving or sending cryptocurrencies.1. Go to My Domains.

1. Click on Manage.
2. Add your cryptocurrency addresses in the correct field.
3. Save and sign with your Wallet.

You can easily transfer or sell your Unstoppable domain.

To Transfer your Domain

Go to your domain management tab, and click the Transfer tab to enter a wallet address to send the domain. Ensure that the address is hosted on Unstoppable Domain-supported wallets.

Unstoppable Domains can be sold on NFT marketplaces (like Opensea or Rarible) just like any other transferable NFT. To trade your domain on NFT marketplaces; create an account on a preferred marketplace and list your Domain for sale.

Unstoppable Domains Vs ENS

Like Unstoppable Domains; Ethereum Name Service (ENS) employs a similar technology to create shortened cryptocurrency wallet addresses. Arguably the two most popular cryptocurrency name service projects, ENS and Unstoppable Domains are both making plausible progress in this sector. Albeit a close similarity in their core technology, they both differ in certain ways;

While Unstoppable Domains last forever, ENS domain owners will need to select a validity period for their domains after which they will need to renew their subscription to keep their domain. Unstoppable Domains offer a one time payment for domains; users will only have to pay once and retain their domain for as long as they wish.

With the ENS DAO, ENS’ governance is decentralized. The ENS community decides the fate of the projects through community voting programs. Members of the community can submit improvement proposals for any aspect of the project while the rest of the community votes in support or against. If the proposal passes community vote, its provisions are implemented. On the other hand, Unstoppable Domains is managed by a designated team that decides on relevant issues regarding the development and management of the project.

Unstoppable Domains offer an array of domain extensions (.crypto, .Zil, etc) and methods (such as crypto, PayPal and credit cards) of payment for domains, while ENS only accepts payment in Ethereum (ETH) and principally offers a .Eth domain extension.

Conclusion

The tradition of copying long addresses and double-checking several times before hitting the send button is a limiting process. To be adopted as a widely used means of transferring value, cryptocurrencies need to evolve from this traditional system. Unstoppable Domains is one of the projects pushing this evolution and is fast expanding this scope. A shortened wallet address that doubles as a proper website gains application in many spheres.

Personal names as wallet addresses are already possible thanks to Unstoppable Domains and similar facilities, but a decentralized website with crypto-centric extensions is an emerging concept. With many improvements coming to this space, it is certainly one to look out for.