HNS

Handshake (HNS) is a decentralized, open-source naming protocol that aims to provide an alternative to the traditional Domain Name System (DNS). The project creates a blockchain-based system for registering and managing top-level domains, with the goal of increasing censorship resistance and reducing reliance on centralized registries.

The native token of the Handshake network is HNS. It is used within the protocol to participate in domain-name auctions, secure the network, and pay for transactions related to name records. Domain names on Handshake are registered through an on-chain bidding process, and once ownership is established, records for those names are stored in the Handshake root zone. Access to Handshake domains is facilitated by Handshake-enabled resolvers and bridges that connect the Handshake root to traditional DNS, enabling interoperability with existing internet infrastructure.

Design and scope: Handshake seeks to decentralize control over the DNS root by moving critical naming data onto a public blockchain. This approach is intended to reduce the ability of any single actor to censor or alter the root zone unilaterally. The system emphasizes openness, with changes to name records and new domain registrations governed by on-chain consensus among participants.

Adoption and ecosystem: Handshake has attracted interest from developers and researchers exploring decentralized naming. Practical use depends on support from DNS resolvers, browser integrations, and ecosystem tooling. Adoption remains experimental, with ongoing efforts to improve interoperability, user experience, and security.

See also: decentralized DNS, blockchain naming systems, Handshake ecosystem.