Google.com, Twitter.com, Binance.com, and name them all. All of them represent a domain name.
Together with URL names, domains make it easy for users to pick out a web page.
This means that a domain name represents a cluster of computers/data centers where the same rules apply.
Without complicating things, we shall describe a domain as a website name.
The problem is, traditional domains are vulnerable.
Take, for instance, you are gutted by the CCP and are in China. Chinese officials will easily smoke you and censor your content, wiping your domain name from the web.
In other parts of the world, censorship is possible because the domain name is stored via a centralized custodian like Google Domains.
This introduces a vector for censorship either by the custodian or orders from authorities. Besides, the domain owner needs to make recurrent renewal fees now and then—this can be heavy for some.
That’s why we need something better. After all, in the age of privacy and preservation, privacy is sacrosanct, a human right.
Introducing Unstoppable Domains
Unstoppable Domains want to solve this problem by leveraging the decentralization and censorship resistance of public ledgers–in this case, Ethereum and Zilliqa blockchains.
The company is based in San Francisco and essentially desires to bring back control to the owner while concurrently speeding up crypto adoption. They have been working on their technology for the last four years, since 2017.
If anything, they draw inspiration from the early days of the internet, where users had to cram IP addresses. Since then, there has been a massive change that has made access to websites easier, especially once after the release of the Domain Name Service (DNS).
Driving Crypto Adoption using Human-Readable Addresses
It is perhaps the same with blockchain and addresses. Unstoppable Domains want to be at the center of this UX improvement, spurring crypto adoption.
In that case, Unstoppable Domains are releasing a new censorship-resistant domain name riding on the blockchain. They guarantee control to the end-user while also making users easily remember their crypto addresses.
That means unless otherwise granted, published content can’t be deleted or modified. All this is because the newly launched website rides on Ethereum and Zilliqa—where the team built the CNS version.
A user need not remember complete private keys and whatnot. Using Unstoppable Domains mean easy sending and receiving of crypto funds. Using just one name under a given domain allows a registered user to access all their cryptocurrency wallets. It is a big shot in the arm for all efforts geared at driving crypto adoption, making the sending of crypto as easy as sending mail.
This is possible because Unstoppable Domains replace cryptocurrency addresses with human-readable names. The project banks on decentralization and NFTs—in the sense that each domain is unique and identifiable under the Crypto Name System (CNS).
For users to claim a domain name, they need to claim a domain name and, therefore, a back-end wallet controlling the domain name.
Once claimed, a user is free to make changes as deemed proper. For example, at an owner’s discretion, the domain can be changed without Unstoppable Domains’ involvement.
At the time of writing, Unstoppable Domains already supports over 200 cryptocurrencies. Users who need to integrate their domain must first make a resolution—simply converting a cryptocurrency address to a human-readable name.
The introduction of blockchain domains is a giant leap forward, correcting some of the most foundation flaws of the internet.
One of the essential advantages of these new domains is resolving the fact that digital payments are not native to the traditional web.
For this, external providers like PayPal and others are needed to effect payment. Technically, this shouldn’t be the case.
Unstoppable domains rectify this by making payment at the heart of the internet.
The conversion of cryptocurrency addresses to human-readable formats makes user interfaces attractive. Besides, this is part of a charge to correct the internet’s design by creating secure and private payment channels.
Over 1 million Domains registered, More Blockchain Support
But it is not about payment. Unstoppable Domains are flexible can facilitate the browsing of content available in the IPFS—or those supported by the traditional DNS system.
Reflecting the level of demand is the explosive growth of the number of registered censorship-resistant domains.
There are over 1 million unstoppable domains, and over 500 million compatible browser installs at the time of writing.
Perhaps the reason for this sharp spike in account registration is because Unstoppable Domains doesn’t require users to submit their personal information. It is a major attraction for users who jealously guard their online identity.
Their .crypto domain name is blockchain agnostic, supporting various chains like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Zilliqa, and more in the pipeline.
Also, their integration of the IPFS translates to immutable storage and immunity from censorship attempts.
Additionally, Unstoppable Domains are natively supported by the Brave Browser and Opera, further receiving additional support via Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
Already, several apps support Unstoppable Domains. Some of these dApps are MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, OpenSea, TrustWallet, and more.
The Team and Investors
The CEO of the Unstoppable Domains is Matthew Gould.
However, he is not alone. The team comprises 50 talented experts drawn from software, business development, and more, as per details on June 2021.
It has received $4 million in a Series A round led by Draper Associates and Boost VC in 2019.
Besides, they received grants from Ethereum and Zilliqa.
Still, Unstoppable Domains remain a PRIVATE company with headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Unstoppable Domains is All about Flipping NFTs for Profit
Therefore, to capitalize on Unstoppable Domains—if you didn’t participate in the closed Series A round—is to take part in auctions and buying domain NFTs.
You can claim a domain name—through some are protected. For instance, domains like google.crypto, or apple.blockchain are not available.
However, investors can search for available domain names and claim them by making a single payment.
Since domains are issued as NFTs, they can be resold.
Here is a guide for those who may want to sell their domains.
Owners are already making money on flipping NFTs. In March 2021, the “win.crypto” domain sold for $100k.
Some of the Unstoppable Domains are available on OpenSea as NFTs. Browse them here.