Unstoppable Domains Abandons Plans to Integrate .crypto and .bitcoin into DNS
Unstoppable Domains has abandoned its plans to integrate nine of its Web3 domain extensions, including .crypto and .bitcoin, into the traditional DNS system. The company cited ICANN requirements and the high costs of the application program as reasons for the decision. Other affected domains are .wallet, .polygon, .nft, .dao, .unstoppable, .zil, and .blockchain. They will continue to function as on-chain domains but will not become native DNS zones.
The applications for the nine domains would have cost over $2 million, not including additional compliance expenses and potential auctions. Founder Matthew Gould stated the total costs outweighed expected revenues. A major obstacle was ICANN's proposed integration rules, which would require registering every existing on-chain domain in a unified zone and disclosing owner data—affecting over 4 million domains, many purchased as one-time, anonymous assets.
In response to user criticism, the company is offering refunds for domains purchased after its public ICANN announcement dates, with the refund window open from August 25 to September 25. Unstoppable Domains clarified that the domains retain all their on-chain functionalities.
The company is still proceeding with ICANN applications for five other domain extensions: .agi, .robot, .gram, .hub, and .xmr, developed with partners like 0G, Telegram, Monero, and Hub Culture. The first approved domains from the current ICANN round are expected by mid-2027, with a full DNS launch anticipated in late 2027 or 2028.
cryptonews.ru33 min fa