Unstoppable Domains nixes TLD plans following web3 integration decision
Firm is still involved with five applications, but didn’t apply for any strings on its own.
Unstoppable Domains ended up not applying for any of the top level domains it planned on pursuing on its own.
The firm stated it canceled its plans to apply for nine domains following an ICANN technical working group suggested a complex framework for integrating real DNS TLDs with web3 naming systems.
Unstoppable Domains had by now offered each of the TLDs it planned to apply for as alt-root, blockchain-based domains. The firm stated:
ICANN’s planned integration rules would require every name in an integrated namespace to be registered in the DNS and paid for, and for registrants to disclose their data. For us, that means 4M+ existing Web3 names, counting people who bought a name years ago purely for on-chain use and never asked to be in the DNS. We aren’t willing to force that on our users, or bill them for it.
While the study group didn’t release its draft note until two days ahead of applications were due, Unstoppable knew what the note would include since it had a representative on the group.
Unstoppable confirmed that it didn’t apply for .crypto, .wallet, .polygon, .nft, .bitcoin, .dao, .unstoppable, .zil, and .blockchain.
As a result, it is offering refunds to people who registered web3 names matching these TLDs following it disclosed its plans to apply for them.
People who bought its web3 .blockchain domains on or following June 5, 2024 can get a refund. For the other domains, registrations occurring on or following March 5, 2025 qualify for refunds.
The firm also disclosed that five partners who disclosed plans to work with Unstoppable on applications backed out, nixing .privacy, .brave, .anime, .agent, and .twin. Refunds are also available for those domains in most circumstances.
Unstoppable is not out of the fresh TLD game, still. On the contrary, it’s involved with five applications.
Perhaps the biggest is its role as registry service provider for Telegram’s .gram bid. If Telegram is successful in its application and launches the domain as planned, this could be one of the largest fresh TLDs in the 2026 round.
Additionally, Unstoppable is working with applicants for .agi, .robot, .hub, and .xmr.
