{
  "$schema": "https://degreesofsatoshi.com/encyclopedia/schemas/article-v1.json",
  "schemaVersion": "1.0.0",
  "id": "what-is-ens",
  "canonical": "https://degreesofsatoshi.com/encyclopedia/what-is-ens/",
  "collection": "ethereum",
  "title": "What is ENS? Names, addresses and the resolver between them",
  "description": "Understand how ENS names point to addresses and other records without replacing account keys or proving a person’s identity.",
  "aliases": [
    "Ethereum Name Service explained",
    "what is ENS name"
  ],
  "dates": {
    "published": "2026-10-02",
    "modified": "2026-10-02",
    "verified": "2026-10-02T19:27:58.939Z",
    "dataAsOf": "2026-10-02"
  },
  "authorship": {
    "publisher": "Degrees of Satoshi editorial project",
    "process": "AI-assisted research and drafting with a separate automated source-verification pass; no external expert or named human review is implied."
  },
  "quickAnswer": {
    "text": "ENS, the Ethereum Name Service, maps human-readable names to records such as cryptocurrency addresses. A registry identifies name control and the resolver responsible for records; the resolver supplies the requested information. An ENS name is a label for destinations and data, not the wallet itself, and owning a name does not establish a verified real-world identity.",
    "claimId": "what-is-ens-quick-answer",
    "sourceIds": [
      "x425-eth-ens-roles",
      "x425-eth-ens-resolution",
      "x425-eth-ens-expiry"
    ]
  },
  "keyFacts": [
    {
      "label": "Registry",
      "value": "The registry records a name’s owner, resolver and cache hint.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-eth-ens-roles"
      ],
      "id": "registry",
      "claimId": "what-is-ens-fact-registry"
    },
    {
      "label": "Resolver",
      "value": "A resolver supplies records such as payment addresses.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-eth-ens-roles"
      ],
      "id": "resolver",
      "claimId": "what-is-ens-fact-resolver"
    },
    {
      "label": "Wallet access",
      "value": "Losing a name does not change the associated account’s private key.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-eth-ens-expiry"
      ],
      "id": "wallet-access",
      "claimId": "what-is-ens-fact-wallet-access"
    }
  ],
  "prerequisites": [
    "ethereum-accounts"
  ],
  "sections": [
    {
      "id": "lookup",
      "heading": "Translate a name into the right record",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-eth-ens-resolution",
        "x425-eth-ens-roles"
      ],
      "paragraphs": [
        "A wallet resolving an ENS name asks for a particular address record. ENS supports more than an Ethereum payment address: different coin or chain records can point to different destinations. The application must request the record appropriate to its intended payment.",
        "The person controlling the name’s records can change its destination. A name saved months ago should not be treated as a permanently fixed account address."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "example",
      "heading": "One label can point to different chain destinations",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-eth-ens-resolution"
      ],
      "paragraphs": [
        "Imagine a name with one address for Ethereum mainnet and a different address for another supported chain. A wallet sending on that second chain needs its corresponding record. Resolving the mainnet record and changing the network afterwards is not the same operation.",
        "Confirm the resolved address before sending. Name lookup supplies routing information; it does not move existing funds or bridge an asset."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "control",
      "heading": "Names and account ownership are separate",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-eth-ens-expiry",
        "x425-eth-ens-register"
      ],
      "paragraphs": [
        "A .eth registration can expire or transfer while the old associated wallet continues to function. Whoever controls the account’s keys still controls that account’s assets under its account rules.",
        "Name registration and renewal rules depend on the registrar and version. The ENSv1 .eth registrar is only one naming context; imported DNS names and project-issued subnames can have other lifecycles."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "Does buying an ENS name create an Ethereum wallet?",
      "answer": "No. A name can point to an account address, but naming and account key management are separate systems.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-eth-ens-roles",
        "x425-eth-ens-expiry"
      ]
    },
    {
      "question": "Does a recognizable ENS name prove who owns the account?",
      "answer": "It proves neither a legal identity nor an endorsement. Verify the intended person or organization through an appropriate independent channel.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-eth-ens-roles",
        "x425-eth-ens-normalize"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "claims": [
    {
      "id": "what-is-ens-quick-answer",
      "articleSlug": "what-is-ens",
      "statement": "ENS, the Ethereum Name Service, maps human-readable names to records such as cryptocurrency addresses. A registry identifies name control and the resolver responsible for records; the resolver supplies the requested information. An ENS name is a label for destinations and data, not the wallet itself, and owning a name does not establish a verified real-world identity.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "source-0314bf4e15f4a3c3",
        "source-9b4fe04b40d00867",
        "source-fb90e1f6259646dd"
      ],
      "sourceLocators": [
        {
          "sourceId": "source-0314bf4e15f4a3c3",
          "locator": "Owner; controller; resolver; registrant"
        },
        {
          "sourceId": "source-9b4fe04b40d00867",
          "locator": "Resolving addresses; multicoin lookup"
        },
        {
          "sourceId": "source-fb90e1f6259646dd",
          "locator": "Expiry; grace period; wallet access"
        }
      ],
      "scope": {
        "collection": "ethereum",
        "dataAsOf": "2026-10-02",
        "blockHeight": null
      },
      "qualification": "",
      "evidenceStatus": "documented",
      "verification": {
        "status": "verified",
        "method": "independent automated source review",
        "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T19:27:58.939Z",
        "reviewer": "Independent automated verification agent verify_bitcoin_stablecoins_100",
        "notes": [
          "Fresh ENS terminology directly supports registry owner/resolver/TTL and distinct registrar ownership. Resolution supports multicoin/chain records. Expiry support confirms name loss leaves wallet keys/assets unchanged; no identity endorsement inferred."
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "what-is-ens-fact-registry",
      "articleSlug": "what-is-ens",
      "statement": "Registry: The registry records a name’s owner, resolver and cache hint.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "source-0314bf4e15f4a3c3"
      ],
      "sourceLocators": [
        {
          "sourceId": "source-0314bf4e15f4a3c3",
          "locator": "Owner; controller; resolver; registrant"
        }
      ],
      "scope": {
        "collection": "ethereum",
        "dataAsOf": "2026-10-02",
        "blockHeight": null
      },
      "qualification": "",
      "evidenceStatus": "documented",
      "verification": {
        "status": "verified",
        "method": "independent automated source review",
        "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T19:27:58.939Z",
        "reviewer": "Independent automated verification agent verify_bitcoin_stablecoins_100",
        "notes": [
          "Fresh ENS terminology directly supports registry owner/resolver/TTL and distinct registrar ownership. Resolution supports multicoin/chain records. Expiry support confirms name loss leaves wallet keys/assets unchanged; no identity endorsement inferred."
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "what-is-ens-fact-resolver",
      "articleSlug": "what-is-ens",
      "statement": "Resolver: A resolver supplies records such as payment addresses.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "source-0314bf4e15f4a3c3"
      ],
      "sourceLocators": [
        {
          "sourceId": "source-0314bf4e15f4a3c3",
          "locator": "Owner; controller; resolver; registrant"
        }
      ],
      "scope": {
        "collection": "ethereum",
        "dataAsOf": "2026-10-02",
        "blockHeight": null
      },
      "qualification": "",
      "evidenceStatus": "documented",
      "verification": {
        "status": "verified",
        "method": "independent automated source review",
        "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T19:27:58.939Z",
        "reviewer": "Independent automated verification agent verify_bitcoin_stablecoins_100",
        "notes": [
          "Fresh ENS terminology directly supports registry owner/resolver/TTL and distinct registrar ownership. Resolution supports multicoin/chain records. Expiry support confirms name loss leaves wallet keys/assets unchanged; no identity endorsement inferred."
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "what-is-ens-fact-wallet-access",
      "articleSlug": "what-is-ens",
      "statement": "Wallet access: Losing a name does not change the associated account’s private key.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "source-fb90e1f6259646dd"
      ],
      "sourceLocators": [
        {
          "sourceId": "source-fb90e1f6259646dd",
          "locator": "Expiry; grace period; wallet access"
        }
      ],
      "scope": {
        "collection": "ethereum",
        "dataAsOf": "2026-10-02",
        "blockHeight": null
      },
      "qualification": "",
      "evidenceStatus": "documented",
      "verification": {
        "status": "verified",
        "method": "independent automated source review",
        "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T19:27:58.939Z",
        "reviewer": "Independent automated verification agent verify_bitcoin_stablecoins_100",
        "notes": [
          "Fresh ENS terminology directly supports registry owner/resolver/TTL and distinct registrar ownership. Resolution supports multicoin/chain records. Expiry support confirms name loss leaves wallet keys/assets unchanged; no identity endorsement inferred."
        ]
      }
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "x425-eth-ens-roles",
      "label": "ENS terminology",
      "publisher": "ENS Labs",
      "url": "https://docs.ens.domains/terminology/",
      "locator": "Owner; controller; resolver; registrant",
      "note": "Roles in ENS naming, resolution and management.",
      "version": "Documentation snapshot retrieved 2 October 2026; response hash recorded separately",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:55:25.181Z",
      "contentSha256": "eda2d55d25857800cbddcf2ddc398a9235d7cf2572bc315534aaf8b3939fed9a",
      "recordId": "source-0314bf4e15f4a3c3"
    },
    {
      "id": "x425-eth-ens-resolution",
      "label": "ENS address lookup",
      "publisher": "ENS Labs",
      "url": "https://docs.ens.domains/web/resolution/",
      "locator": "Resolving addresses; multicoin lookup",
      "note": "Resolve the requested coin or chain address rather than assuming all records are one payment destination.",
      "version": "Documentation snapshot retrieved 2 October 2026; response hash recorded separately",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:55:25.398Z",
      "contentSha256": "8fff5811a3c95fa9d36b2a46de975e99dbafb310a55e5329f3062bc662e1eb40",
      "recordId": "source-9b4fe04b40d00867"
    },
    {
      "id": "x425-eth-ens-expiry",
      "label": "Expired ENS names and wallet access",
      "publisher": "ENS Labs",
      "url": "https://support.ens.domains/en/articles/12311858-do-expired-ens-names-affect-wallet-access",
      "locator": "Expiry; grace period; wallet access",
      "note": "Name expiry affects name use rather than cryptographic ownership of the associated account.",
      "version": "Documentation snapshot retrieved 2 October 2026; response hash recorded separately",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:55:25.397Z",
      "contentSha256": "a35541d3315935531ad5d33e3608a8a7cb5261539cc11195e31f377b5ccfa511",
      "recordId": "source-fb90e1f6259646dd"
    },
    {
      "id": "x425-eth-ens-register",
      "label": "ENS ETH registrar",
      "publisher": "ENS Labs",
      "url": "https://docs.ens.domains/registry/eth/",
      "locator": "Registering a name; commit-reveal; renewals",
      "note": "ENSv1 .eth registration and renewal procedure; not an assertion that ENSv2 uses the same pricing or grace period.",
      "version": "ENSv1 registrar documentation",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:55:25.210Z",
      "contentSha256": "9fa58bcc8f42a32872442b058cd89f5ba50d1568ff8909a4077e911563aa8274",
      "recordId": "source-50f4215631218b71"
    },
    {
      "id": "x425-eth-ens-normalize",
      "label": "ENS name processing",
      "publisher": "ENS Labs",
      "url": "https://docs.ens.domains/resolution/names/",
      "locator": "Normalization; ENSIP-15; namehash",
      "note": "Normalization establishes consistent valid names, not identity authentication.",
      "version": "Documentation snapshot retrieved 2 October 2026; response hash recorded separately",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:55:25.506Z",
      "contentSha256": "c8c809cfa33a58738d8dc982c4ca8f1bf73e312643c88912e64005b23df6c066",
      "recordId": "source-67a5d9792baea5d3"
    }
  ],
  "related": {
    "articles": [
      "ethereum-accounts",
      "ethereum-address-checksums",
      "ens-name-registration"
    ],
    "dossiers": [],
    "wallets": []
  },
  "revisionHistory": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-02",
      "kind": "published",
      "summary": "First publication after primary-source research and separate automated verification."
    }
  ],
  "citation": "Degrees of Satoshi editorial project. “What is ENS? Names, addresses and the resolver between them.” Published 2026-10-02; updated 2026-10-02. https://degreesofsatoshi.com/encyclopedia/what-is-ens/"
}