The ApeCoin community has given a resounding thumbs-up to a groundbreaking proposal: registering “.APE” as a top-level domain (TLD) with ICANN, the global authority on domain names and IP addresses. This move aligns with ICANN’s strategy to introduce new generic top-level domains by 2026.
In a landslide vote, 91.68% of ApeCoin members supported the proposal, with only 8.32% in opposition. The plan involves partnering with D3, a specialist in Web3 domains, to turn .APE into a tangible asset.
Fred Hsu, CEO of D3, revealed that the domains they offer are versatile, and usable across Web1, Web2, and Web3 platforms. He emphasized the goal of bringing over 5 billion Web2 users into the Web3 sphere through innovative domain usage.
Image Source: Snapshot.org (Apecoin DAO’s voting in favor of launching .APE domains)
D3 will take the lead in preparing and submitting the application to ICANN, a process expected to span about a year. Additionally, they plan to introduce Ape-linked name tokens as immediate Web3 identifiers for users.
With D3, the ApeCoin community now has the opportunity to apply for and launch the.APE top-level domain (TLD), which has the potential to generate millions of dollars in annual revenue for the DAO.
Beyond financial gain, the “.APE” domain offers several benefits for the ApeCoin community. Owning a “.APE” domain would provide users with a unique digital identity and a more user-friendly alternative to complex wallet addresses. Additionally, D3 plans to distribute pre-release “.APE” name tokens to BAYC and MAYC NFT holders, strengthening community ties.
Hsu envisions revolutionizing domain ownership and usage, aiming to shake up an industry that has seen little change in the past two decades.
Hsu anticipates significant revenue potential from the .APE domains, emphasizing their value as digital assets. The deal involves a 50/50 revenue split between ApeCoin DAO and D3 from Ape name tokens and .APE TLDs.
It’s clarified that TLD ownership isn’t possible; rather, ICANN grants exclusive operational and monetization rights, renewing every 10 years. The initiative’s total costs are pegged at three million ApeCoin, with ongoing operational expenses for D3 in managing the .APE namespace, supplemented by ApeCoin DAO for marketing efforts.
