ENS Founder Proposes Major Governance Shift for v2 Protocol Launch

The proposed rollout outlines a five-stage activation process, beginning with the deployment of new smart contracts and a temporary freeze on new .eth registrations. During this transition, which is expected to last several hours, the protocol will synchronize existing records to ensure ownership continuity. Existing domain holders will not face mandatory migration; they may continue using their names under the original terms or opt into the new system at their convenience. To maintain consistency, the upgrade adjusts expiration rules by extending migrated domain dates by 62 days, compensating for a reduction in the standard grace period from 90 to 28 days.

ENSv2 moves away from the current flat registry structure, introducing a system of connected registries that grants users granular control over subdomains and permissions. Owners will be able to delegate specific administrative roles—such as updating resolvers—without relinquishing domain ownership. Once the upgrade is live, ENS Labs intends to renounce all remaining privileged roles, vesting full authority in the ENS DAO. The proposal currently sits in draft form, awaiting a formal onchain vote where it must secure at least one million affirmative tokens to proceed. If approved, the transition will be subject to a two-day timelock before the final synchronization of records takes effect.