ENS Labs is launching Namechain, a layer-2 network using zk-rollups to enhance scalability, reduce gas fees, and improve user experience.
ENS Labs, the team behind the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), is making significant strides toward launching its layer-2 network, Namechain, by the end of 2025. The network is set to use zero-knowledge rollups (zk-rollups), a technology designed to scale blockchain transactions by processing data off-chain and reducing the cost of executing them. This approach helps Namechain remain as secured as Ethereum while keeping the gas fees much lower.
Zero-knowledge rollups make it possible to process more transactions within a shorter duration because they shift large volumes of data off the main Ethereum chain, using more available resources. Namechain will utilize an existing zero-knowledge chain that is EVM-compatible, making it compatible with Ethereum applications. Speaking to Wu, ENS Labs’ Chief Operating Officer, the company is still in the process of selecting which zkEVM to deploy, with the process being almost complete.
Namechain Set to Transform ENS Protocol, Enabling Cheaper and Faster Transactions
The Namechain project expands on a proposal made in May when ENS Labs presented its intentions to shift the registry system to layer-2. The next update, ENSv2, will rebuild the ENS protocol from the ground up while transitioning to the new network while remaining compatible with ENSv1 on the Ethereum mainnet. This will allow users to continue using ENS the same way they do now but with the critical difference of being able to do so at a tiny fraction of the gas fees.
The development of Namechain is not unique to the project. Many large players in the blockchain space have been launching their layer-2 solutions to solve problems of scalability and high transaction fees. For example, Uniswap, Kraken, and Sony’s Blockchain Labs have all decided to build roll-up networks. However, they use the OP Stack, founded on Optimism tech, not zk-rollups.
Nick Johnson, co-founder of ENS Labs, has a good attitude toward Namechain. He says it will greatly increase scalability while cutting costs. The update is considered a significant upgrade for ENS due to the new applications and opportunities it will provide.
The switch to Namechain and the zk-rollup ecosystem will significantly enhance the user experience. It will make ENS more accessible and affordable for a wider range of users while still retaining its full integration with the Ethereum ecosystem.
