Brave Launches “.brave” On-Chain Domain Name, Ushering in a New Era of Web3 Browsing

The privacy-first browser Brave has partnered with Web3 domain name service provider Unstoppable Domains to jointly launch a new ".brave" on-chain domain name system (TLD) to create a more decentralized, secure and sustainable Internet infrastructure. The domain name is deployed on the Polygon blockchain in the form of NFT, with permanent ownership and no annual fee, and will be officially supported in the upcoming Brave browser v1.81.

According to The Block, the .brave on-chain domain name can not only be directly accessed in the Brave browser, but also has cross-chain resolution capabilities, supporting multi-chain wallet address binding, IPFS website hosting, Web3 identity (such as decentralized social accounts), blockchain simplified transaction payment addresses and other rich functions. The integration of this feature set will bring users a more intuitive, unified and decentralized network experience.

Brave officials said that it is expected that version v1.81 will be officially launched in August 2025, when all Brave browser users will natively support the ".brave" domain name without installing plug-ins or using third-party resolvers. In addition, Brave also plans to formally apply to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in 2026 for ".brave" as a generic top-level domain name (gTLD) to achieve compatibility and integration with the traditional Web2 domain name system.

Matthew Gould, CEO of Unstoppable Domains, pointed out that the traditional domain name system is overly concentrated in the hands of a few registries, while blockchain-based NFT domain names can achieve true user ownership, eliminate renewal risks, and are more censorship-resistant and portable. This cooperation is a major milestone in promoting the integration of Web2 and Web3, especially in the combination of browser native support and public domain name ecology.

As a representative of crypto-friendly browsers, Brave has continued to promote the construction of Web3 infrastructure in recent years. Previously, it has integrated modules such as decentralized storage (IPFS), crypto wallets, and its own token BAT ecosystem, and has more than 50 million monthly active users. The launch of the on-chain TLD further consolidates its leading position in the field of Web3 entry-level applications.

Industry analysts believe that as decentralized network architecture becomes more popular, on-chain domain names like ".brave" will become a unified portal for users to link wallets, social networking, identity and content, and are expected to replace some functions of the traditional Web2 domain name system in the future. As more mainstream platforms join the camp of supporting Web3 domain names, the "ownership revolution" of the global Internet is accelerating.