ENS Labs Proposed Transition to New Domain Protocol
Owners of .eth names should prepare for a shift to the ENSv2 system that updates renewal timelines and registration processes.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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ENS Labs has submitted a proposal to the ENS DAO to shift new .eth registrations to the upcoming ENSv2 protocol. This change impacts how users manage their digital identities by moving administrative control from the developer to the community-governed DAO.
Why it matters
The transition leverages Ethereum mainnet upgrades to reduce registration costs and improve network efficiency for users. By shifting control to the DAO, the protocol aims to decentralize administration and remove privileged access currently held by the original development team.
The proposal introduces a 28-day renewal grace period for ENSv2, a significant reduction from the current 90-day window provided by ENSv1. While existing v1 name owners may continue to renew their names indefinitely, all new registrations will be processed through the updated system.
The players
ENS Labs
The primary development team responsible for building the Ethereum Name Service and facilitating the migration to version 2.0.
ENS DAO
The decentralized governance organization that holds administrative control over the protocol following the proposed transition.
ENS Foundation
The entity managing operational responsibilities and protocol endowment oversight since August 2026.
The details
The transition utilizes a pre-migration synchronization process to preserve all active v1 names for their current owners. Upon activation, the ENSv2 protocol will utilize improvements to the Ethereum base layer, such as higher gas limits, to facilitate more cost-effective registrations. Users should note that applications and digital resolvers will eventually need to support both versions to ensure full compatibility for registered names.
Timeline
February 2026: ENS Labs announced the initial development of ENSv2 on Ethereum mainnet.
August 2026: The ENS Foundation assumed oversight of operational responsibilities and endowment funds.
October 11, 2026: ENS Labs released the formal draft proposal for DAO governance review.
The Home Front
This transition marks a departure from the established ENSv1 framework by shifting new registrations to the v2 protocol while maintaining legacy support. It represents a broader trend in digital infrastructure to decentralize administrative control away from founding developers.
If you own a .eth name, you can continue to renew it on the existing system indefinitely. You should plan to track the upcoming DAO vote and consult your digital wallet provider to confirm their future support for dual-protocol resolution.
The takeaway
The move to ENSv2 shifts administrative oversight to the community and updates the renewal grace period to 28 days. Keep a record of your current .eth registration details and monitor the DAO governance forum for the final vote outcome.
Further reading
For more on the latest changes to digital protocols, visit the Electric Vehicles section.
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