ENS DAO Newsletter #50 — 12/19/23

ENS DAO Newsletter #50 - 12/19/2023

:warning: NOTICE:

We value the voice of our community and are always eager to hear from you. The ENS team actively encourages feedback on all updates to better our system and enhance user experience. Please share your thoughts, suggestions, or concerns at ens.canny.io.

_

:sunny: Welcome!

Welcome to the ENS DAO Newsletter:

:newspaper: Newsletter Roundup (tl;dr)

  • ENS Labs Update: Town Hall, ENSjs v3, Root key transfer
  • Community Updates: ENS India Meetup, web3forbes.eth, Lil Folder app
  • Meta-Governance: Stream platform RFP, Endowment Report
  • Public Goods: Large Grants recipients
  • Ecosystem: Phantom Wallet integration

:spiral_calendar: Calendar

Refer to ENS DAO Calendar for ENS DAO working group calls and other events.

:ballot_box: Recent Proposals

Proposal Discussion Vote
[EP4.9][Social] Select providers for EP4.7 streams Open Passed
[EP4.10] [Social] Transfer ENS Root Key Ownership to the ENS DAO Open Passed

Results: Steward Elections and Service Provider Vote

Congratulations to the selected service providers, as well as to the newly elected and re-elected stewards. We look forward to your continued dedication to enhancing ENS. Below is an alphabetical list of the voting outcomes.

Service Providers:

ENS Name Funding (USDC) Description
blockful.eth 300,000 Streamlines UX and ENS registration
efp.eth 500,000 Social graph protocol
ethlimo.eth 500,000 ENS gateway for accessing Ethereum dApps
namehashlabs.eth 600,000 ENS adoption via referral programs
namespace.eth 200,000 ENS digital identity standard with a tool suite
resolverworks.eth 700,000 Gasless ENS subname provider
unicorn.eth 200,000 ENS-powered Account Abstraction wallet
unruggable.eth 400,000 R&D firm specializing in L2 solutions and AA
wildcardlabs.eth 200,000 Boost ENS domain adoption with tooling

Stewards:

ENS Name Profile Working Group
184.eth Link Ecosystem
5pence.eth Link Meta-Governance
avsa.eth Link Meta-Governance
coltron.eth Link Public Goods
estmcmxci.eth Link Meta-Governance
limes.eth Link Ecosystem
simona.eth Link Public Goods
slobo.eth Link Ecosystem
vegayp.eth Link Public Goods

Note: A minimum of 100k $ENS is required to submit executable proposals. Once a proposal gains momentum, the stewards will prioritize it for a vote during the designated voting window. See our Governance Docs for more information. To view the real-time distribution of voting power among delegates, visit votingpower.xyz.

:cyclone: ENS Labs Updates

:chart_with_upwards_trend: ENS Stats: November 2023

In November 2023, ENS (Ethereum Name Service) saw substantial activity with 20.8k new .eth domain registrations, increasing the total number of names to 2.3 million. This activity generated $1.1 million in protocol revenue, which was entirely directed to the ENS DAO. The ENS ecosystem expanded with 16k new Ethereum accounts holding at least one ENS name, bringing the total to 795k accounts. The month also marked the setting of 14k primary ENS names, resulting in a total of 690k names. In addition to these milestones, the personalization of ENS profiles grew with 3.5k new avatar records set, achieving a total of 138k avatars.

Recap of the ENS Town Hall Event: Q3-Q4 2023 Insights and Forward Planning

The ENS Town Hall event for Q3-Q4 2023, hosted by ENS Labs and primarily coordinated by Sadaf.eth, was a significant occasion. It focused on reviewing the latter half of 2023 and setting priorities for ENS in 2024. The event featured members from ENS Labs and various working groups, including Meta-Governance, Public Goods, and Ecosystem. Notable speakers included Khori, Nick, Eskender, Marta, Luc, Greg, Katherine.eth, and others. The Town Hall, conducted as a Zoom call and streamed live on YouTube, offered a platform for insightful discussions and future planning. The event was recorded for later sharing, ensuring wider access to its valuable content. For notes, check out Q3/Q4 town hall notes thread by 184.eth. — 12.13.23

ENSjs v3 Launches with Enhanced Features for ENS Domain Management

The latest ENSjs v3 release marks a significant update for developers working with ENS domains. The new version, built on the viem framework by @wevm_dev, promises to enhance the user experience with an array of new features and improved performance. Developers can start using it by installing the package via npm. The update allows users to register, renew, set primary names, and update ENS records more efficiently. Additionally, it includes management of ENS names and subnames, as well as the ability to check the availability, price, owner(s), fuses, and expiry of names. It provides functionalities to get all names associated with an address, all subnames for a given name, and all the records on a name. This release underscores the expansive capabilities of ENSjs, suggesting that its full potential is vast enough to be beyond what can be shared in a single tweet. — 12.13.23

ENS Moves Toward Full Decentralization with EP 4.10 Root Transfer to DAO

ENS has reached a significant milestone in its path towards decentralization with the passing of EP 4.10. This proposal, unanimously voted by the DAO, requests the transfer of control over the root to the ENS DAO, marking the end of an era for the initial keyholders. Nick Johnson, a key figure in the ENS community, sent out a message to the root keyholders, expressing gratitude for their service and detailing the execution steps for the transfer. The proposal involves executing two critical actions: the transferOwnership call on the root ENS, setting the new owner to wallet.ensdao.eth, and updating the owner on the DNSSEC oracle to wallet.ensdao.eth as well. This decision retires the multisig system used thus far, transferring all responsibilities to the DAO and is a step towards a fully decentralized ENS governance model. — 12.15.23

Integration: Phantom Wallet

The ENS Manager Application has recently introduced support for the Phantom Wallet. This integration allows users to connect and efficiently manage their ENS names within the app. The announcement invites users to try the new feature and directs them to the ENS Manager’s website at app.ens.domains. The update is aimed at streamlining the user experience by providing a seamless way to interact with digital assets and identities through the Phantom wallet integration. — 12.5.23

ENS Gains Mention in Bloomberg’s NFT Scene Spotlighting Williamsburg

In a brief yet insightful aside within its coverage of Brooklyn’s crypto-cultural scene, Bloomberg referenced the ENS, highlighting its niche yet pivotal role. The article, set against the colorful backdrop of Williamsburg’s NFT mural by graffiti artist Lorenzo Masnah, pointed to the influence of ENS as a domain-naming system within the Ethereum blockchain, noting its mention among the digital art community following the mural’s rise to fame. This subtle acknowledgment by Bloomberg places ENS in the context of a potential NFT rebound, as the service quietly underpins the evolving digital landscape. — 12.8.23

Jefflau.eth Presents at Meet Taipei

In a recent keynote at Meet Taipei, Jeff Lau, associated with ENS (Ethereum Name Service), detailed the strategic focus on developers in the early stages of building the ENS community. He emphasized that by prioritizing integrations and developer-first approaches, ENS not only facilitated the adoption of its blockchain-based naming system but also fostered a robust community foundation. Jeff’s talk highlighted key milestones, such as the launch of ENS as a side project of the Ethereum Foundation, its evolution into a separate entity with significant funding, and the eventual establishment of the ENS DAO in late 2021. The keynote also showcased impressive statistics, underscoring the over 2.5 million active .eth names, substantial revenue generation, and significant integrations with platforms like Coinbase, further illustrating the success of their community-centric approach. Jeff’s presentation made it clear that ENS’s early focus on developers has been instrumental in its widespread adoption and in establishing a decentralized, user-empowered protocol. — 12.11.23

ENS Builder BBQ at deBasel

The ENS Builder BBQ at deBasel, an exclusive Web3 Builders’ event hosted by ENS Labs, took place in Miami Beach, Florida. This gathering was a unique opportunity for attendees to connect with the ENS Labs team, leading founders, engineers, and other Web3 builders, while enjoying a delicious BBQ, including vegetarian options. The event was open to the public, encouraging attendees to bring colleagues and guests. It served as a prelude to a Web3 ecosystem Happy Hour, fostering further networking and collaboration among participants. — 12.8.23

Airstack Integrates with Holder XYZ for NFT and ENS Domain Holder Outreach

Airstack has announced a new integration which involves Holder XYZ, a web3 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and marketing automation platform, which aims to enhance customer engagement within the tokenized ecosystem. With this integration, users of Holder XYZ can now send messages directly to their NFT community using XMTP, provide live updates for Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) holders, and extend special offers to ENS domain holders. This enhancement is positioned as transforming Holder XYZ from a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must have’ tool, indicating a considerable value-add to the platform’s capabilities. — 12.8.23

Joy Protocol Now Supports ENS

Joy Protocol has announced a new feature update for its wallet, integrating support for Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domains. This allows users to associate their blockchain addresses with human-readable names, enhancing the user experience by making it easier to send and receive digital assets. The update also includes support for CID, expanding the wallet’s compatibility within the decentralized web. Additionally, the Joy Protocol wallet has expanded its chain support to include Arbitrum, aligning with the broader trend of multi-chain accessibility in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. — 12.8.23

:radio: ENS Media Alerts

:globe_with_meridians: Community Updates

Vegayp.eth Engages Panama DAO Community with Insights on ENS Domains

Public Goods Working Group steward, Vegayp,eth, recently made a visit to the Panama DAO, where they introduced the story of ENS domains to the community members, sharing insights and developments. The event was backed technically by @ValidatorEth and featured a presentation forked from @matoken. The visit was well-received, thanking the steward for the informative talk and for facilitating connections with .eth domains. The community meetup was successful, drawing a significant number of attendees who engaged with the discussions and presentations showcased. — 12.6.23

Lil Folder Application Locally Backs up NFT Media Files

The Lil Folder app is a tool for NFT collectors and enthusiasts who use ENS. By simply providing your ENS name, the app is designed to automatically create a dedicated folder on your Mac. It then proceeds to retrieve every NFT that is associated with your wallet, creating a backup of the media files of the NFTs. This application is versatile, supporting all media formats, which makes it exceptionally convenient for users to manage and back up their digital assets. Try it here: folder.lil.org — 12.6.23

Forbes acquires web3forbes.eth

Forbes has expanded its digital presence into the realm of Web3 by securing its Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domain, “web3forbes.eth.” This move demonstrates the publication’s proactive approach in adapting to the evolving digital landscape and signifies its commitment to establishing a recognizable and trustworthy presence within the decentralized web. The ENS domain registration, completed in December 2023, aligns with Forbes’ initiative “ForbesWeb3,” further integrating their brand with blockchain technology and potentially offering more direct and secure access to their content and services. — 12.7.23

Community Throwback: Building the First ENS App with Mist Browser

Jefflau.eth recounted the development of the first ENS (Ethereum Name Service) application, mentioning the use of the Mist browser in conjunction with a locally synced Morden testnet. This setup was instrumental in creating the application, suggesting a hands-on approach during the early stages of Ethereum development. The tweet reflects a nostalgic moment, recalling the “good times” associated with early blockchain development endeavors. — 12.5.23

ENS India Community Meetup Hosted by Hidayath.eth

Hidayath.eth hosted an ENS India community meetup on December 8th from 7 PM to 11 PM at Phoenix Marketcity, Whitefield. This exclusive event, sponsored by the ENS Ecosystem, was an opportunity for ENS enthusiasts to engage with the community and explore the future of web3. The meetup promised limited spots and encouraged participants to join the ENS community for a session of networking and discussions related to Ethereum and the broader Web3 ecosystem. — 12.7.23

ETHLIMO supports IPFS Redirects and more

Ethlimo.eth now supports IPFS redirects and custom 404s, enhancing its website functionality. This new feature, available for sites hosted in unique web contexts, allows for the creation of a _redirects file under the root CID of the website. The _redirects file enables defining rules for non-existent paths, including redirects to new paths and custom error pages. This advancement aids in maintaining links during transitions to IPFS hosting and improves user experience by efficiently handling broken or outdated links. For more detailed information, you can refer to the IPFS Docs on redirects and custom 404s. — 12.7.23

frENS x 1w3 Buildathon

A new initiative called the 1w3 x frENS Buildathon has been announced, aimed at encouraging the development of decentralized websites on Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domains. Participants are incentivized with a prize pool, offering $500 for the first-place winner, scaling down to $75 for the fourth and fifth places. This event signals a push towards greater innovation and user engagement within the ENS ecosystem. The Buildathon runs from December 5, 2023, to January 5, 2024. For more, visit frENS on social media. — 12.5.23

dr3a.eth Explains the EVM Gateway

dr3a.eth has created a thread on Twitter to provide an overview of the recently launched Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) Gateway. The thread explains the concept of the EVM Gateway and discusses its implications for both the Ethereum ecosystem and ENS. Read it here. — 12.7.23

Fileverse integrates with Ethereum Follow Protocol

Fileverse, which operates as an onchain platform for collaboration, has announced an integration with the Ethereum Follow Protocol (EFP). The integration is aimed at enhancing the onchain experience by allowing users to convert their Ethereum addresses into multifunctional accounts. These accounts will be capable of holding public content and mapping out a user’s social graph, which is essentially the network of connections within a social media landscape. To leverage the full capabilities of this integration, users are encouraged to have a registered ENS (Ethereum Name Service) domain, which simplifies the Ethereum addresses into readable names and can be used across various services within the Ethereum ecosystem. This move by Fileverse is designed to make the presence of its users more palpable and interconnected within the blockchain space. — 12.12.23

Tanrikulu.eth Visits the Centre for Earth Observation

ENS core developer, tanrikulu.eth, recently attended an event at the ESA Centre for Earth Observation in Frascati, Italy. The event focused on exploring the convergence of blockchain and space technologies. During the visit, attendees had the opportunity to engage with advanced concepts at the intersection of these two cutting-edge fields. — 12.14.23

ENS Chain by Unruggable

Community developer Thomas Clowes, along with Premm.eth, proposed the ‘ENS Chain’, an Optimistic Rollup Stack (OP Stack) based Layer 2 (L2) blockchain solution, specifically designed for the Ethereum Name Service (ENS). This proof-of-concept aims to explore scalable solutions for ENS. Clowes detailed the development of this project and provided a comprehensive guide for replication. The ‘ENS Chain’ utilizes smart contracts to enable the registration and resolution of ENS names on a cost-effective and scalable application chain. Further information and resources related to this project, including deployed smart contracts and a demonstration video, are available in the detailed forum post. — 12.15.23

Retroactive Public Goods Funding Discussion

The DAO delegate fireeyesdao.eth introduced a Retroactive Public Goods Funding (Retro PGF) model to ENS DAO, aiming to replicate the success seen in the Optimism ecosystem. This initiative seeks to reward builders and community members who have used the ENS protocol, encouraging future contributions. The proposal intends to start a community discussion on implementing a similar model for ENS, focusing on impactful distribution strategies and voting mechanisms. The concept is part of a broader dialogue about innovative funding models in DAOs and their potential benefits for ecosystem development. For more details, you can read the full discussion on the ENS DAO Governance Forum here. — 12.12.23

Hidayath.eth Introduces Eth.cd

Hidayath.eth introduced Eth.cd, a Web3 social networking platform leveraging ENS for creating dynamic, decentralized profiles based on users’ ENS records. The platform features a homepage showcasing the top 100 ENS profiles, gamification through leaderboards, and integrates decentralized messaging and community building. It aims to enhance users’ digital identities by aggregating social media content and decentralized applications, fostering an engaged community. Additionally, Hidayath.eth proposed standardizing ENS domain records for better integration of various social platforms. — 12.12.23

NameSys Introduces Dev3.eth

NameSys introduced Dev3.eth, an ENS project on GitHub. This setup allows users to update their ENS records hosted on GitHub Pages with simple Git commands. Users can redeem a free subdomain tied to their GitHub ID, which is then used to read ENS records from their GitHub homepage. This system includes security measures against potential compromises, offering a straightforward and secure way to manage ENS records via GitHub. For more details, visit the discussion on the ENS DAO Governance Forum. — 12.18.23

:pushpin: Working Group Bulletin

Q3/Q4 Lead Working Group Stewards + Secretary Appointment

Appointments:

The responsibilities of the Lead Stewards & Secretary are set out in Rule 9.8 and Rule 9.9 of the Working Group Rules.

ENS DAO Working Group Schedule (Q3/Q4 2023):

Working Group Time Schedule Location
:balance_scale: Meta-Governance 3pm UTC Tuesday Google Meet
:high_brightness: Public Goods 4pm UTC Tuesday Google Meet
:seedling: Ecosystem 5pm UTC Thursday Google Meet

Note: The DAO will observe a moratorium in advance of the holiday season. This year’s final Working Group meeting will take place on the 15th. The DAO will resume business as usual on the first fiscal business day of the new year (2024).

ENS Working Group Spending Summary: Term 4 (Jul-Dec 2023)

The ENS Working Group’s spending report for Term 4 (July to December 2023) details expenditures totaling $1.5 million across its Ecosystem, Metagovernance, and Public Goods Working Groups. The Ecosystem group focused on grants, bug bounties, real-life events, and hackathons, while the Metagovernance group covered DAO compensation, tooling, endowment fees, and contract audits. The Public Goods group allocated funds for large and small grants, discretionary grants, and hackathon sponsorships. Additionally, the report includes governance token distribution details. For more details, please refer to the report in full. — 12.19.23

:hammer: Meta-Governance

The Meta-Governance working group hosted its weekly meetings on December 5th, 2023 and December 12th, 2023:

RFP: Stream Platform for ENS Service Providers

The Meta-Governance Steward Elect of the ENS DAO has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for streaming platforms to be used by ENS Service Providers. This initiative aims to select a platform capable of transferring tokens over time on MainNet Ethereum. The requirements include supporting USDC, ENS, and WETH tokens, a history of over one year on MainNet with over $100 million total value streamed, and the ability to create indefinite streams with public custom UIs. The chosen platform will handle payments for several projects and steward roles within the ENS DAO. Proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as total value locked, security history, gas costs, fees, and developer support availability. — 12.18.23

ENS DAO’s New Era: Transitioning Root Key Control for Decentralization

Meta-Governance Steward Elect, estmcmxci.eth, presented during the Working Group call to discuss their article explaining the transfer of the ENS root key to the ENS DAO under EP 4.10. This significant shift aims to decentralize governance in line with Ethereum’s ethos, distributing decision-making and responsibilities. The article highlights the ENS DAO’s newly acquired powers and the move’s implications for DNS TLD owners and internet governance. For a comprehensive understanding, the full article is available here and the presentation here. — 12.11.23

ENS Root Key Successfully Transferred to DAO, Achieving Full Decentralization

Nick.eth announced the completion of a significant milestone in the journey towards full decentralization. The control over the ENS root has been officially transferred to the ENS DAO. This marks a pivotal moment for ENS, emphasizing its transition to a fully decentralized structure. The transaction associated with this transfer can be publicly verified on the Ethereum blockchain via the provided Etherscan link: Transaction Details. He expressed his pride in this achievement, highlighting the core ethos of decentralization that underpins the ENS and its community. — 12.19.23

ENS DAO Endowment Report - November

The ENS DAO Endowment report for November presents a detailed account of the financial status and asset distribution. — 12.15.23

Here’s a summary of the key points:

  1. Total Funds and Utilisation:

    • The treasury holds a total of $64,897,419.
    • Capital utilisation is at a high rate of 96.0%.
  2. Farming Results and APY:

    • Farming has yielded $154,934.
    • The annual percentage yield (APY) is at 2.9%.
  3. Balance Overview by Token Category:

    • Ether holds the largest share with $49,227,449 in farming funds and a wallet balance of $2,580,783, totaling $51,808,232.
    • Stablecoins have $13,079,045 in total.
    • Other categories have smaller balances, bringing the grand total to $64,897,419.
  4. Farming Funds/Results by Position:

    • The report lists various Ethereum positions such as rETH, WETH, and stETH with associated farming funds and results.
    • A total of $62,306,493 is allocated to farming funds with $10,142 unclaimed rewards and $162,674 in farming results.
  5. Token Details:

    • The report provides a breakdown of token balances, price variations, and allocations.
    • WETH, rETH, and stETH are the top holdings with significant price variations noted.
    • Other tokens like DAI, USDC, and ETH are also part of the portfolio, with DAI and USDC maintaining a stable $1 price.

View the full report.

:sunny: Public Goods

The Public Goods working group hosted its weekly meetings on December 5th, 2023 and December 12th, 2023:

Q4 Large Grants Recepients

The Public Goods Working Group has recently announced the approval of substantial grants for several innovative projects, as part of its commitment to fostering development in the ecosystem. Among the noteworthy recipients:

  • ‘Rotki’ has been granted 50,000 USDC, earmarked to support its development.
  • ‘Revoke.cash’ has also secured a grant of 50,000 USDC, signifying the DAO’s confidence in its potential.
  • In a bid to enhance Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), ‘EIP-7212 Development and Advocating by Clave’ has been awarded 35,000 USDC, which underscores the importance of ongoing development and advocacy in the space.
  • ‘Smooth: Dappnode’s MEV Smoothing Pool’ has been allocated 25,000 USDC, demonstrating the DAO’s strategic investment in solutions aimed at optimizing transaction processing.

These grants reflect the DAO’s active role in promoting projects that align with its vision for a more robust and innovative Ethereum infrastructure. — 12.12.23

:seedling: Ecosystem

The Ecosystem working group hosted its weekly meetings on December 7th, 2023 and December 14th, 2023:

Note: The ENS Ecosystem Working Group offers rolling grants, and applicants can apply anytime. The evaluation process takes around four weeks, and unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply in the future.

:memo: Resources

Thank you very much for reading the last newsletter of the year! Goodbye. :wave:t2:

7 Likes