The Ethereum Name Service (ENS), the blockchain-based service simplifying address resolutions, has announced plans to develop its own Layer 2 network, dubbed Namechain, using Linea’s advanced technology stack.
Leveraging Linea’s zkEVM Technology
ENS chose Linea, a zkEVM-based Layer 2 solution, for its ability to maintain full compatibility with Ethereum’s existing smart contracts and tools. The zkEVM technology ensures trustless and seamless interactions between Ethereum’s Layer 1 and the new Namechain Layer 2, ENS shared in a recent blog post.
Linea is also recognized as the first Layer 2 team to implement a trust-minimized version of ERC-3668, enabling decentralized cross-chain name resolution for ENS subnames. The Linea platform is backed by Consensys, a leading Ethereum-focused research and development firm.
A Key Part of ENSv2 Upgrade
The Namechain initiative is central to ENSv2, an upgrade introduced earlier this year aimed at enhancing the scalability and affordability of the Ethereum Name Service. Under this upgrade:
- Layer 2 Adoption: Domain registrations and renewals will shift to the Layer 2 Namechain, reducing transaction costs and increasing throughput.
- Layer 1 Integration: Name resolution services will remain on Ethereum Layer 1 to preserve ENS’s decentralized infrastructure and compatibility.
Improved Functionality and Ecosystem Growth
The transition to Layer 2 is expected to boost ENS’s capacity to handle larger volumes of domain registrations and renewals, improving overall user experience and cost efficiency. With Namechain, ENS aims to further expand its utility across decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other blockchain-based ecosystems.
This development underscores ENS’s commitment to staying at the forefront of blockchain innovation while maintaining compatibility with Ethereum’s core network.
