Gasless ICANN DNSSEC Implementation

Spearheaded by Nick.eth’s innovative “gasless contract resolver”, this development has captured the attention of the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) community. Continue reading to uncover the multitude of benefits offered by gasless DNSSEC integration and its profound significance for the future trajectory of Web3.

Gasless DNSSEC Integration: The Future of Web3

Gas fees can be a massive pain, and it can feel frustrating when you have the ETH, but can’t complete a transaction because the network is too busy. Editing gas fees can be a daunting task for those who are new to Web3. Traditionally, DNSSEC for ICANN ENS names has required a gas fee, however, ENS has been working on a solution to these problems: Gasless DNSSEC Integration.

Due to the Web3 education that is required, and the Web3-gas costs to transact on-chain, onboarding Web2 companies into Web3 has been a significant challenge for the community. While “degen culture and constant shilling” can turn newbies off, inconsistent and high gas fees are the biggest turnoff-factor. Polygon and other EVM-sidechains are an excellent option for those just getting started with Web3, as it has little to no gas fees and is user-friendly. However, if you want to trade and invest in Web3, eventually, you will need to use and migrate to Ethereum. This is true when you want to use second level .eth names, or when you “import ICANN Web2-names” into ENS via DNSSEC.

Nick.eth posted in the ENS Forums (about the “gasless contract resolver” for DNSSEC integrations), which he’s been working on; and will be an essential update for all Web2-to-Web3 projects, as they leverage ENS protocol. Web2 domains have an advantage over native .eth names, as changing Web2-ENS name-records doesn’t cost anything. In contrast, even if the fee to change ENS records is low, many users still do not want to pay the gas fee. This is where gasless DNSSEC integration comes in to save the day (and increase ENS adoption).

The first version of the code for ENS's gasless DNS integration is ready for review! More details on the forum here: https://t.co/w2A9nI1hKY

— nick.eth (@nicksdjohnson) February 9, 2023

How Gasless DNSSEC Integration Can Help Small Businesses

We need to onboard Web2 companies into Web3 to have a successful future. However, the question becomes, who do we onboard first: corporations or small businesses? The answer is small businesses. Shopify recently announced SIWE integrations, making it a great time for small businesses to get into Web3.

The gasless DNSSEC integration will make it much easier for Web2 businesses to dip their toes into Web3, without having to buy ETH or risk signing a contract (for their ICANN Web2-ENS name), which can be daunting for many people. With the gasless DNSSEC integration, users will be able to set their ENS records via the DNS records, using a custom resolver, which means the user will not have to pay an on-chain gas fee.

The Benefits of Gasless DNSSEC Integration

Here are a few benefits of using a gasless system that can be set using a DNS registrar to onboard small businesses into Web3:

1. Familiarity: Small businesses are more familiar with using their DNS registrar, especially if they have never heard of ENS or the term ‘Web3.’
2. Cost: One of the biggest advantages Web2 domains still have over Web3 domains is that you don’t need to pay a fee to update DNS records. In ENS, you need to pay a small fee. No one wants to pay fees. Also, a Web2 company can save on registration fees if they only import their DNS domain and not pay an exorbitant amount for their ENS domain if it’s already taken.
3. Security: Note that we said sense of security. Let’s face it, 90% of the world doesn’t know what Web3 is. The onboarding methods of Web3 enthusiasts can be cult-like at times and can cause uncertainty for newbies. Instead of making a newbie update the record on ENS, they can use their DNS and feel their sense of security.

In fact, ENS integration with the global namespace DNS is a part of the ENS constitution which lays down the important values and principles for decision-making within the DAO. pic.twitter.com/H5KcV7ZsXA

— dr3a.eth (@dr3a_eth) February 15, 2023

A Transformative Opportunity for Web3

The advent of gasless DNSSEC integration presents a transformative opportunity for the Web3 ecosystem. By eliminating the traditional gas fees associated with updating DNSSEC for ICANN ENS names, this integration can unlock the potential of small businesses to actively participate in the Web3 landscape. Nick.eth’s pioneering work on the gasless contract resolver has set the stage for a new era in which the barriers to entry for Web2 businesses transitioning to Web3 are significantly reduced.

The gasless DNSSEC integration fosters familiarity by allowing small businesses to use their existing DNS registrar, offering cost savings by eliminating the need for on-chain gas fees, and providing a sense of security by enabling businesses to retain their existing DNS infrastructure while exploring the benefits of Web3. With initiatives such as Shopify’s SIWE integrations further supporting this transition, it is evident that the gasless DNSSEC integration is a catalyst for driving greater inclusivity and adoption of Web3.

Ultimately, this technology not only empowers small businesses to leverage the opportunities offered by Web3, but also reinforces the continued evolution and progress of the Web3 industry as a whole.