Ethereum Name Service is seeking approval from its decentralized autonomous organization to activate an upgraded naming protocol on the Ethereum mainnet. Nick Johnson, ENS founder, submitted an executable draft proposal to activate ENSv2, which would freeze new registrations on the original ENS registrar while allowing existing domain holders to renew names.
The DAO vote will require a seven-day voting period and a minimum two-day timelock before execution if approved. Voter participation of at least 1% is required for executable proposals, equivalent to 1 million ENS votes.
How the Upgrade Works
ENSv2 introduces a redesigned registry architecture with more flexible domain management and permissions. Existing domain holders are not required to migrate, and their names would continue functioning normally.
“New .eth registrations would pause for hours during the transition, while existing domain holders could renew their names without migrating,” according to the proposal materials.
ENS Labs reserved existing .eth names for current owners on the upgraded system. After activation, ENS Labs plans to transfer remaining administrative control over upgraded contracts to the DAO. New registrations would move to the upgraded system once domain records have been synchronized.
No voting date has been announced. The proposal is currently in draft form and awaiting DAO consideration.
