The Cardano Foundation is preparing to apply for two generic top-level domains—“.ada” and “.cardano”—in the next ICANN application round, positioning the network’s brand and identity closer to the core addressing layer of the web.
The move would bring Cardano into a relatively small cohort of blockchain ecosystems that control their own top-level namespace rather than relying solely on third-party registries or Web3-native naming systems. The Foundation frames the applications as both defensive and strategic: securing Cardano-specific string(s) should reduce the risk of brand misuse while creating an on-ramp for identity and interoperability features that bridge Web2 and Web3.
If approved, these domains would function like any other gTLD, meaning ecosystem participants could register second-level names such as “vespr.ada” or “nmkr.cardano,” with the registry operated under policies the Foundation says it will publish and report on regularly.
Beyond brand control, the Foundation emphasizes potential product-level integrations. It explicitly highlights “simplified wallet addresses,” integration with decentralized identity solutions “like Veridian,” and even “domain tokenisation” as areas it wants to explore.
The post also notes active conversations “with Ada Handles and Handshake to explore use cases that bridge traditional DNS and Cardano.” These examples suggest the registry could serve as an anchor for human-readable identifiers that resolve to blockchain credentials, payment endpoints, or verifiable credentials, all within the governance and security constraints of ICANN’s DNS.
The Foundation says a multi-disciplinary team has been shaping the plan, including consultations with community experts and vendor evaluations for both the application process and future registry operations. Operationally, it proposes a Community Advisory Group to guide policy and development, and commits to “regularly publishing figures on the gTLDs’ operation,” in line with its existing transparency reports.
It also floats the possibility that net returns, if any, could be funneled back into broader ecosystem work. While the post underscores that “there is no guarantee of success,” it argues the risk is justified by the strategic upside and the once-in-a-decade nature of ICANN’s application windows.
To surface sentiment and produce a public signal that can be cited in the application dossier, the Foundation has submitted an “Info Action” for community voting. It asks stake pool operators and DReps to support the measure, arguing that visible endorsement can bolster the credibility of a community-based application in ICANN’s review process. “Please cast your vote,” the statement urges, adding that, if the Info Action passes, the Foundation will proceed to file applications for both strings in Q1 2026.
At press time, ADA traded at $
