D3 Global, a decentralized domain name company, has raised $25 million in funding to introduce a new approach to internet domain operations. The company is developing the Doma Protocol, a blockchain-based system designed to transform traditional and future domain names into digital assets. By leveraging blockchain technology, D3 aims to modernize the domain industry, enhance liquidity, and create new financial opportunities for both domain owners and crypto communities.

Fred Hsu, CEO of D3 Global, emphasized the potential of this initiative, stating that internet domains have long been a valuable asset class. He noted that the Doma Protocol will allow for significant technological advancements that can modernize the industry for the first time in nearly three decades. Through this innovation, the company seeks to establish a DomainFi network that introduces new functionalities, including fractional ownership, domain-based lending, and improved digital identity solutions.

D3 Global Secures $25 Million in Funding

Unlocking Domain Value

The funding round was led by Paradigm and included investments from prominent industry players such as Coinbase Ventures, Sandeep Naiwhal, co-founder of Polygon Labs, Dharmesh Shah, founder of HubSpot, and Richard Kirkendall, CEO of Namecheap. Their involvement reflects a growing interest in the integration of blockchain technology with domain name systems, as well as the broader vision of transforming domains into financial assets within the decentralized economy.

According to D3 Global, the DomainFi network has received strong support from both traditional web and web3 stakeholders. The company believes that by aligning domain names with decentralized finance, it can unlock new opportunities within a $340 billion real-world asset class. The goal is to create a more accessible and liquid market for domain ownership, allowing users to interact with domains in ways that were not previously possible.

The Role of the Doma Protocol in DomainFi

D3’s Doma Protocol is built on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and is designed to comply with the stringent requirements set by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). This ensures that it can be integrated with the existing Domain Name System (DNS) while maintaining regulatory compliance. The protocol is positioned as a bridge between traditional DNS infrastructure and web3 name systems, enabling seamless interoperability across different platforms.

One of the key features of the Doma Protocol is the ability to tokenize domain names, making them tradable and composable assets within decentralized finance. This allows domain owners to access new financial opportunities, including lending and fractional ownership while ensuring that domains remain compliant with industry regulations. Developers interested in early access to Doma can sign up at doma.xyz, where they can explore its potential applications.

Own a Piece of The Future Internet

Partnerships to Expand the DomainFi Ecosystem

Alongside the launch of the Doma Protocol, D3 Global has announced partnerships with several key organizations to further integrate domain names into blockchain-based financial systems. Solana is collaborating with D3 to tokenize domains such as .com, .xyz, .ai, and .sol, opening new possibilities for using domains in decentralized payment systems. Avalanche is planning to apply for and launch the .AVAX top-level domain (TLD), aiming to provide decentralized finance utility and liquidity for the broader domain industry.

Additionally, OneFootball is working with D3 and Identity Digital to establish .football domains as a fan identity infrastructure for its global user base of over 180 million monthly active users. Plume is integrating tokenized domains into its newly launched Nest Protocol, allowing them to generate institutional-grade yields and offer more financial opportunities for investors. Meanwhile, Hockey.com is leveraging DomainFi to enable fractional ownership of premium domain assets, providing greater liquidity options for current domain owners.

Official Domain Partner for Web3

The Future of DomainFi and Digital Asset Ownership

Charlie Noyes, general partner at Paradigm, noted that bringing domain names on-chain will enhance their liquidity and introduce new financial products. He highlighted the importance of making domain assets more accessible to blockchain ecosystems like Solana, ensuring that they remain compatible with the broader internet infrastructure.

The funding secured by D3 Global will be used to accelerate the development of the DomainFi economy, improve domain functionality as blockchain-based assets, and onboard domain name operators to adopt the new system. Through collaborations with both traditional domain industry leaders and web3 innovators, D3 aims to make domain ownership more inclusive and financially viable for a global audience.

Source: GamesBeat