Ethereum Name Service (ENS), a decentralized identity protocol that allows users to register and manage human-readable names ending in .eth, is seeking approval from its decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) to deploy a major upgrade to its naming system, known as ENSv2, on Ethereum’s mainnet.
ENSv2 introduces flexible registry architecture
Nick Johnson, founder of ENS, submitted an executable draft proposal that outlines the activation steps for ENSv2. The proposal requests the community’s approval to begin freezing new registrations on the existing ENS registrar while allowing current domain owners to continue renewing their .eth names uninterrupted.
ENSv2 aims to enhance the protocol with a redesigned registry architecture, expanding the flexibility of domain management and permission settings for users. The update also includes plans for ENS Labs to transition its remaining administrative authority over the upgraded contracts to the ENS DAO following successful deployment.
Mini dictionary: ENS DAO, or Decentralized Autonomous Organization, is a self-governing community of token holders responsible for making key protocol upgrades and decisions for the Ethereum Name Service via onchain voting mechanisms.
Temporary registration pause during transition
Transitioning to the new protocol will require all new .eth registrations to shift to ENSv2 once domain records are migrated. Johnson cautioned that there would be a brief period, expected to last several hours, during which new registrations would be unavailable on both the legacy and new systems while the migration is finalized.
Johnson highlighted that, “users won’t be able to register new domains for a few hours during the transition but existing owners can still renew their names without interruption.”
Current .eth domain holders are not required to migrate immediately, as their domains will continue to function as usual. ENS Labs has reserved these names on the updated system, providing users the flexibility to migrate when convenient.
Proposal must advance to DAO onchain vote
The ENSv2 activation proposal remains in draft status. Implementation will require it to progress to an onchain DAO vote, the main decision-making process for ENS protocol changes.
According to protocol governance rules, passing an executable proposal requires at least 1% voter participation—equivalent to 1 million ENS votes—and majority approval during a seven-day voting period. If the measure passes, execution of the upgrade is subject to a minimum two-day timelock before taking effect. ENS has not yet announced a voting date for the proposal.
| Step | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Draft submission | Proposal prepared by ENS founder |
| Onchain DAO vote | Minimum 1% participation (1 million ENS votes), majority approval, 7 days |
| Timelock | At least 2 days before upgrade execution |
The proposal ensures that existing .eth domains remain valid, and owners are not forced to migrate immediately, as all active names are pre-reserved in ENSv2.
