Brave, the browser prioritizing user privacy, has recently announced the introduction of the “.brave” domain—an onchain domain established in association with Unstoppable Domains. This significant development positions Brave as the pioneer among browsers to implement its own blockchain-centric Top-Level Domain (TLD), enabling users to substitute intricate cryptocurrency wallet addresses with easily identifiable names.
The .brave domains can be created as non-fungible tokens on the Polygon blockchain, providing users with ownership and control without the burden of renewal fees. These domains operate across multiple networks such as Sonic, Solana, Ethereum, Base, and Bitcoin.
Decentralized websites hosted on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) using these domains will remain natively accessible in the Brave browser—adding a unique dimension to this launch.
“Our goal is to return privacy, ownership, and control to the users,” stated Brian Bondy, CTO and co-founder of Brave. “The .brave domain extends beyond just a domain—it serves as a user-managed identity layer intrinsic to the Brave ecosystem.”
Starting with version 1.81, which is slated for release in August this year, Brave Browser and Brave Wallet will support direct resolution of .brave domains.
Despite being outside the ICANN-regulated DNS system, blockchain domains face challenges in achieving universal resolution in traditional browsers. However, Brave plans to revolutionize this. The company, along with Unstoppable Domains, is contemplating ICANN general top-level domain (gTLD) registration for 2026 to facilitate .brave domains to operate across Web2 and Web3 environments.
Brave Browser, with over 85 million monthly active users, is widely regarded as an emerging player in the browser market despite holding a 1% market share. It trails behind major browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.
