Advancements in Web3, including free usernames, cross-chain names, and chat functions, may lead to greater adoption of Web3 usernames. Despite the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) being launched in 2017, only 2.2 million .eth names had been registered as of January 2021, leaving over 97% of Ethereum addresses not associated with a Web3 username. This lack of usernames creates user experience problems; hence, new developments aim at solving this problem.
Some wallet apps are giving away free domain names to their users, making it easier for users to receive crypto via their Web3 name. Messaging apps have also started to implement Web3 names as usernames, increasing these names’ utility beyond the payments use-case. Some messaging apps allow users to send instant messages to any Ethereum address or ENS username, making it much easier for users to find each other in the app. Cross-chain usernames are yet another new development that may spur greater adoption of Web3 usernames over time.
Despite these advancements, mass adoption of Web3 usernames may take some time due to several factors such as high costs of registering a name for users of most wallet apps. However, these developments may pave the way for the future mass adoption of Web3 usernames.