ENS Labs Set to Launch Namechain Layer 2 Network Next Year

Ethereum’s ENS work similar to web addresses that simplifies wallet addresses. For instance, Vitalik Buterin uses “Vitalik.eth” instead of a long address.

Key Notes

ENS Labs plans to launch Namechain, a layer 2 network, by next year’s end.Namechain uses zero-knowledge rollups to boost speed and cut transaction costs.Chief Operating Officer Katherine Wu emphasized backward compatibility with ENSv1 and reduced gas fees. 

ENS Labs, the team behind Ethereum Name Service (ENS), plans to launch a dedicated layer 2 network called Namechain by the end of next year. The initiative aims to advance Ethereum’s infrastructure. Chief Operating Officer Katherine Wu shared details with CoinDesk, revealing the sophisticated technology behind Namechain.


 
 
 

Using zero-knowledge rollups, Namechain will boost transaction speeds and cut costs by compressing data before publishing it on-chain. According to ENS Labs’ press release, this approach enables Namechain to handle transactions off the main Ethereum network while preserving Ethereum’s full security at a significantly lower cost.


 
 
 

The network will build on an existing Ethereum-compatible zero-knowledge chain. Wu indicated that ENS Labs is finalizing the choice of zkEVM to integrate, a decision reflecting the company’s dedication to secure, cost-efficient operations for users.


 
 
 

ENS Names Simplify Crypto Wallet Addresses


 
 
 

Ethereum’s ENS operates as the blockchain’s version of the internet’s domain name system. Similar to how web addresses like Amazon.com are easier to remember than numerical IPs, ENS names offer a simpler alternative to complex crypto wallet addresses. For example, Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin uses “Vitalik.eth” instead of a lengthy wallet address.


 
 
 

In May, ENS Labs introduced plans to revamp its registry system by shifting to a layer 2 solution. Initially, the team had not committed to a specific approach. Recently, ENS Labs confirmed its choice to implement ZK rollups with a project called Namechain. This update, labeled ENSv2, includes a complete redesign of the ENS protocol, extending its framework to a layer 2 network.


 
 
 

Katherine Wu highlighted the priority of backward compatibility in this shift. She noted the significant technical work involved in ensuring Namechain aligns with the existing ENSv1 setup on Ethereum’s mainnet from the first day of launch. Wu also reassured users that the front-end experience would stay the same, aside from reduced gas fees.


 
 
 
 

“The heavy technical lift here will be in making sure that Namechain is backward compatible with ENSv1 from day one of launch […] there should be no difference on the front end/user experience as we launch Namechain, except for lower gas fees,” said Wu.


 
 
 
 

Major Players Launch Rollup Networks


 
 
 

ENS Labs is advancing with ENSv2, mirroring a broader shift in cryptocurrency toward customized layer 2 solutions. Major players like Uniswap, Kraken, and Sony’s Blockchain Labs recently revealed plans to roll out their own rollup networks. While these projects leverage Optimism’s OP Stack for building specialized blockchains, ENS Labs is taking a distinct technical path.


 
 
 

These projects’ primary aim is to boost scalability and lower transaction costs on the Ethereum network. This surge in layer-2 initiatives underscores a growing industry acknowledgment of the need for more efficient blockchain infrastructures to handle the rising demand and complexity of decentralized applications.


 
 
 

ENS Labs co-founder and lead developer Nick Johnson expressed excitement about the upcoming Namechain launch, highlighting its potential to improve scalability, reduce costs, and open doors for new applications. 


 
 
 

“Namechain represents ENS’ next evolution, and I’m excited for the huge improvements it will bring in scalability and cost, and the new applications it will enable,” said Johnson.


 
 
 

Johnson’s optimism points to the transformative role Namechain could play in enhancing accessibility and affordability for users seeking Ethereum-based services.



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