Analysis of ENS Dual Integration Promotion and Mainnet Architecture Upgrade
Key developments : ENS Labs has confirmed that it will upgrade and deploy ENSv2 to the Ethereum mainnet, abandoning its original plan to develop an L2 Namechain. This move benefits from the rapid expansion of Ethereum L1 (e.g., the gas limit doubled to 60M after the Fusaka upgrade, with plans to reach 200M), reducing ENS registration gas costs by 99%. Meanwhile, the ENS DAO initiated a DNSSEC oracle upgrade proposal on February 25, 2026, which has been implemented, supporting gasless DNSSEC and fixing signature verification vulnerabilities. While the term "dual integration" is not explicitly stated in official documentation, based on the changes in the ENSv2 architecture, it likely refers to a dual integration mechanism of an independent sub-registration for each ENS name and a multi-chain resolver, improving flexibility and multi-chain compatibility .
This shift strengthens ENS's decentralized and secure nature, eliminating the need for users to bridge assets; all operations are conducted on the mainnet. The Alpha test version is already live on Sepolia, supporting one-step registration and cross-chain stablecoin purchases. Mainnet deployment is expected to be completed soon (specific date not announced). X
Detailed Explanation of ENSv2 Mainnet Architecture Upgrade
ENSv2 marks the evolution of ENS from a single global registry to a hierarchical graph architecture: under the root registry, each .eth name has an independent sub-registry and resolver, replacing the unified ownership model and supporting custom subtree control. This not only maintains backward compatibility (seamless resolution of existing names) but also optimizes multi-chain interoperability (such as CCIP-Read gateways). ens.domains
Key changes comparison :
| aspect | ENSv1 (current) | ENSv2 (Mainnet Upgrade) | Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment chain | Ethereum L1 | Pure Ethereum L1 (abandoning Namechain L2) | Inheriting the highest level of security while avoiding the risks of L2 centralization. |
| Registry Structure | Single global contract | Each name has an independent sub-registry + resolver | Flexible customization enhances "dual integration" capabilities. |
| Gas costs | Average ~$5 (a year ago) | <5 cents (99% decrease) | More accessible, encouraging widespread adoption |
| Multi-chain support | Limited CCIP-Read | Enhanced cross-chain resolver + stablecoin purchase | Seamless multi-link parsing |
| Test status | - | Sepolia Alpha will be launched soon (February 2026). | The mainnet will follow soon. |
Timeline :
| date | event | detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-20 | ENSv2 architecture thread release | Official Twitter account explains layered design and L1 confirmation X |
| 2026-02-23 | App Alpha launched | Sepolia Test Single-Step Registration X |
| 2026-02-25 | DNSSEC oracle proposal voting | Close signature vulnerability, gas optimization X |
| Expected Q1 2026 | ENSv2 mainnet deployment | Based on Alpha feedback, gas subsidies are being explored. |
This "dual integration" architecture essentially decouples the registration and resolution logic: the name owner can programmably control the subtree, while remaining compatible with proxy standards such as ERC-8004 (as discussed in the ENS x AI community). This paves the way for AI proxy identities and multi-TLD integration, avoiding L2 fragmentation.
DNSSEC Oracle Upgrade Progress
The ENS DAO proposal (ID: 28252712932062322633429808688780331957150867173093906455161078029287649387260) has been approved, deploying a new DNSSEC oracle and registrar to achieve "gasless DNSSEC": resolvers are configured via TXT records (_ens.name.tld), eliminating the need to import DNS names into on-chain transactions. A signature verification vulnerability has been fixed, improving security and optimizing gas consumption. (Tally X)
Upgrade impact :
- Existing DNS names are compatible, and TLD will gradually migrate to the new registry.
- In conjunction with ENSv2, it supports wildcard resolution (ENSIP-10), further lowering the barrier to entry.
Agreements and Market Indicators
The ENS ecosystem is stable but with moderate activity: ~67k holders, daily active users (DAU) 6-24, and daily trading volume of $12-55 million (UTC as of February 14-26, 2026). No TVL/fee data is available, indicating it is not a core DeFi protocol. (TokenTerminal)
Recent metrics summary from TokenTerminal :
| Date (2026) | Daily active users (DAU) | Weekly Active Users (WAU) | Monthly Active Users (MAU) | Trading volume (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02-14 | 16 | 76 | 256 | 55,006,100 |
| 02-20 | 17 | 58 | 263 | 19,783,100 |
| 02-25 | 13 | 60 | 262 | 33,338,300 |
| 02-26 | twenty one | 59 | 261 | 27,817,500 |
Transaction volume fluctuations reflect the registration/renewal cycle and are expected to rebound after the upgrade.
Community and social dynamics
- Official Twitter (@ensdomains/@ENS_DAO) : Highly active, focusing on ENSv2 L1 confirmation, DAO proposals (such as the 2.5M USDC transfer, on.eth registration), and the AI agent integration community (Telegram: t.me/ensxai). X
- DAO News : Nº 106 communication coverage achieves first instance of 2-char .eth, Sui supported. X
- No fraud alerts were issued, but be wary of phishing emails related to ENSv2. X
Risks and Outlook
Positive signs : The mainnet upgrade strengthens ENS's position as the cornerstone of Web3 identity; reduced gas costs and a layered architecture may drive a surge in registrations (historical peak of 2.2 million names). AI agents (such as ERC-8004) and multi-chain integration will expand use cases.
risk :
| factor | Severity | detail |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment delay | middle | The mainnet launch date is yet to be determined during the Alpha testing phase. |
| Using friction | Low | It has strong backward compatibility, but requires library updates (such as ethers.js). |
| compete | middle | Challenges of multi-chain domains such as SPACE ID |
Outlook : In the short term, the ENSv2 mainnet launch will catalyze price and activity; in the long term, L1 positioning ensures a security premium. Developers are advised to test the Sepolia Alpha, and holders should pay attention to the DAO voting. Data is current as of February 27, 2026 UTC; it's fresh, but the exact mainnet date needs official confirmation.