🌐 What Is ENS?

ENS (Ethereum Name Service) is like a username layer for crypto.

Instead of sending funds to a long wallet address like
0x4cbe58c50480...
you can send to a readable name like
example.eth.

That idea — readable naming — is a huge step toward normal people using crypto safely.

🧠 What Can an ENS Name Do?

An ENS name can:

• Receive crypto
• Point to different wallet addresses (ETH, BTC, etc.)
• Link to a decentralized website (via IPFS / eth.limo)
• Act as your on-chain identity / handle
• Issue subnames to other people or apps

🔒 Ownership

When you register an .eth name, you don’t “rent an account from a platform.”
You hold an NFT that represents that name. You control it using your wallet.

🧱 Why ENS Matters

• Easier: no copy-pasting giant addresses.
• Safer: fewer chances to send to the wrong person.
• Portable: you can use the same identity across apps, wallets, and dapps.
• Composable: apps and smart contracts can read ENS records directly on-chain.

🚀 Where This Is Going

Areas evolving quickly:

• Linking ENS to social / messaging / login (“Sign in with Ethereum”)
• Subnames for access control (temporary access to something, then revoke)
• Cross-chain naming (same identity visible across multiple networks)

ENS is basically the identity + naming layer of Web3.

Last updated: October 2025