What Is SuiNS (NS) Decentralized Name Service on the Sui Blockchain?

In this lesson, we’ll explore how Sui Name Service (SuiNS) enhances the Sui ecosystem, the role of the $NS token in empowering community governance, and what makes SuiNS’s decentralized approach unique in the Web3 identity space.

Sui Name Service (SuiNS) lets you create a personalized identity on the blockchain. It’s a decentralized name service built on the Sui blockchain, allowing you to register and manage unique names for on-chain transactions. The $NS token powers SuiNS, giving holders the ability to govern and shape its future.

Key Highlights

> Build On-Chain Identity: SuiNS lets you register names for transactions, use avatars, and link to specific addresses.

> $NS Token: $NS fuels governance, staking rewards, and provides a discount on name purchases.

> Full On-Chain Governance: Control over SuiNS lies with $NS holders through community-driven voting, ensuring transparency and decentralization.

What Is Sui Name Service (SuiNS) and How Does It Work?

Sui Name Service (SuiNS) is a decentralized name service on the Sui blockchain that enables users to establish a personalized, on-chain identity. At its core, SuiNS allows users to register unique names (e.g., “YourName.sui”) to represent their blockchain addresses, simplifying interactions and transactions on Web3. By using readable, custom names instead of long, complex wallet addresses, SuiNS makes blockchain interactions more user-friendly and accessible.

SuiNS’s approach is different from traditional name services due to its advanced decentralization and governance model, powered by the $NS token. With every name registration, users gain exclusive rights to that name for one year, with the option to renew up to five years. Once registered, a name can be further customized by linking it to different addresses, adding NFT avatars for a personalized identity, or even linking to IPFS content, creating decentralized websites accessible through sui.id domains.

How SuiNS Ensures Decentralization and Transparency

SuiNS operates entirely on-chain, meaning its governance, upgrades, and even treasury decisions are controlled by $NS token holders. Instead of a central authority, the community decides on protocol changes through a voting mechanism. This governance system leverages the Sui blockchain’s object-oriented model, where each $NS token equals one vote. Token holders can stake their tokens, gaining enhanced voting power over time, which ensures that the community’s input drives the project’s evolution. Voting rewards in $NS tokens also incentivize active participation, further strengthening the decentralized governance model.

Key Features of SuiNS

1. Name Registration and Renewal: Users register names through the SuiNS platform and retain ownership for one year, with options for renewal.

2. Linking and Customization: Names can be linked to various addresses, personalized with NFT avatars, or connected to IPFS-hosted content for decentralized web presence.

3. On-Chain Governance: All major decisions, from upgrades to treasury disbursements, are controlled by token holders who vote on proposals, creating a community-driven system.

4. Enhanced Token Utility: The $NS token allows holders to participate in governance, access discounted name registrations, and soon purchase premium names.

In essence, SuiNS is an all-encompassing name service and identity platform for Web3, blending usability with the power of community-driven control and decentralization on the Sui blockchain. This model promotes not only enhanced security and transparency but also ensures that the community remains central to the protocol’s growth and direction.

What Makes SuiNS Unique?

SuiNS sets itself apart by offering a fully decentralized, transparent, and secure on-chain name service. Unlike traditional name services that rely on administrators or multi-signature wallets, SuiNS puts control in the hands of $NS token holders through the Sui blockchain’s advanced object-oriented model.

With high-level decentralization, all key decisions, such as treasury management, protocol upgrades, and governance changes, are collectively made through community voting. This on-chain governance ensures transparent and secure decision-making, with every proposal open to token holders and recorded on the blockchain for full transparency.

In short, SuiNS achieves a level of decentralization and security that surpasses other Web3 name services, making it a unique and community-driven platform.

How to Use SuiNS

SuiNS helps users establish identities on the Sui blockchain. To participate, you simply register a name, much like purchasing a domain, but your identity stays on-chain. Here’s how it works:

How to Register Names on SuiNS

Imagine having “YourName.sui” as your address in blockchain transactions. It makes identifying wallets easier for both individuals and businesses, eliminating the need for long, complex addresses.

Here’s how you can register a name with SuiNS: 

Source: SuiNS docs

1. Choose Your Name: Visit the SuiNS site and search for a name (between 3-63 characters) to check availability. Once registered, it’s yours for one year.

2. Renew Your Name: You can renew your name for up to five years to retain ownership.

3. Avatars & Linking: Set an NFT avatar to personalize your identity or link your name to specific addresses.

How to Renew a Name on Sui Name Service (SuiNS)

Follow these easy steps to renew your name when using SuiNS: 

Source: SuiNS docs

1. Connect Your Wallet: Click “Connect Wallet” to manage your names.

2. Select Name: Choose a name to renew.

3. Renewal Period: Set the renewal term (up to five years).

4. Confirm: Approve the transaction in your Sui wallet.

How to Set Up Avatars and Linked Addresses

Here’s how you can set up avatars and link your address on Sui Name Service: 

Update Avatar

Source: SuiNS docs

After registering a name, you can link it with an NFT as your avatar, personalizing your SuiNS identity.

Link to Address

Source: SuiNS docs

To reassign your name to another wallet:

1. Connect Wallet: Open the “View Names” list.

2. Select Name: Click “Link to Wallet Address” and input the new address.

Using SuiNS on the Decentralized Web

With sui.id, SuiNS enables linking names to IPFS content, creating decentralized websites. Here’s how:

Source: SuiNS docs 

1. Upload Files on IPFS: Copy the CID from IPFS.

2. Set Up: Connect to SuiNS and link your name to the IPFS CID.

3. Access Site: Visit https://YourName.sui.id to view the content.