Chiara Bianchi
ENS Labs, the team behind the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), is developing a dedicated Layer 2 network called Namechain to support its decentralized naming system. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, ENS provides readable names to crypto addresses, making blockchain transactions more user-friendly.
Speaking at the “frENSday” event in Bangkok, ENS co-founder Jeff Lau noted that Namechain is designed with unique goals distinct from other Layer 2s: “The industry’s current success metric for rollups is total value locked (TVL), but we don’t need to prioritize that. ENS already has a user base, so we can focus on features that serve our specific community,” Lau explained.
The Namechain network, expected to launch at the end of 2025, will leverage zero-knowledge (zk) proof technology to process and execute transactions off the Ethereum mainnet, retaining Ethereum’s security at a reduced cost. This Layer 2 solution emphasizes interoperability, with built-in L2-to-L2 bridging to enable streamlined transactions across different networks.
Lower Fees and Broader Access with Namechain
According to ENS, Namechain will allow ENS name registration and management for 99% lower fees compared to Layer 1, making the service more accessible and cost-effective for users. Lau highlighted that Namechain’s design will also accommodate multiple Layer 2 networks, reducing barriers to entry and letting users begin their ENS experience on any Layer 2.
“We’re prioritizing user experience by managing the full protocol stack, from governance to protocol,” Lau added, emphasizing that Namechain’s architecture is optimized to serve the naming needs of ENS while preserving its decentralized model.
Namechain as Part of ENSv2: Expanded ENS Labs Ecosystem
Namechain’s development is part of the larger ENSv2 initiative, a protocol designed to expand ENS functionality across Ethereum Layer 2 networks to enhance affordability and flexibility. This new version, unveiled in May, aims to strengthen ENS’s decentralized infrastructure and adaptability within the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
Three core priorities drive Namechain’s design: fast finality via zkEVM, commitment to open-source software, and maintaining ENS’s decentralized governance model. ENS Labs has already selected its Layer 2 partners for Namechain but has yet to disclose them publicly.
In recent developments, ENS partnered with PayPal and Venmo, integrating ENS into these payment platforms. As of September, the Ethereum Name Service has recorded over 2 million names registered on-chain and 4 million off-chain, signaling steady growth and adoption across platforms.
