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Ethereum Name Service (ENS) will use Linea’s Type 2 zkEVM technology to launch its own Layer 2 network, dubbed “Namechain.”
According to a blog post from ENS, Linea’s zkEVM technology ensures compatibility with Ethereum’s existing smart contracts and tools, a crucial factor in streamlining the transition to Layer 2.
Linea, backed by Ethereum research and development firm Consensys, is also credited with developing a trust-minimized version of ERC-3668, which supports decentralized cross-chain name resolution for subnames.
Namechain is Part of the ENSv2 Upgrade
The launch of Namechain is part of the broader “ENSv2” upgrade introduced earlier this year.
The upgrade shifts primary .eth domain activities, such as registrations and renewals, to the Layer 2 Namechain.
However, name resolution will continue to be handled on Ethereum’s Layer 1, maintaining seamless integration with the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
By utilizing Layer 2 technology, ENS aims to increase transaction throughput, enabling higher volumes of domain registrations and renewals.
The shift is expected to make ENS services more flexible and cost-effective for users.
“Our joint development roadmap will focus on protocol enhancements for ENS and Linea, in addition to the broader mission of serving L2s and their users,” the announcement reads.
“This technical foundation will enable innovative applications in cross-chain name resolution, decentralized hosting, and identity verification.”
ENSv2 Works in Tande With Namechain
It is worth noting that ENSv2 will work in tandem with Namechain to improve the user experience.
ENS serves as a blockchain-based alternative to traditional domain name systems like “.com” and “.org,” offering a human-readable format for Ethereum addresses.
ENS Labs previously revealed in February that it was actively researching ways to create its own layer 2 solution.
Although ENS Labs hinted at collaborating with a major industry partner for the expansion, details of the partnership remain undisclosed.
In recent months, ENS has expanded its functionality, including integrating with payment platforms PayPal and Venmo in September, enabling crypto transfers for over 270 million users in the United States.
The excitement around Namechain has also positively impacted the ENS token, which has gained over 16% over the past week. The token is up by around 130% over the past month, according to data from CoinMarketCap.
