You can use your existing .com, .net, or .org as a crypto wallet address: people send crypto to yourname.com instead of a long 0x address. You'll need DNSSEC enabled on your domain. There are two ways to do it.
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Onchain or offchain?
Route | Cost | Where records live | Best if |
Onchain (this article) | One gas-only transaction on Ethereum Mainnet | In the ENS App | You want a wrapped NFT, want to manage records and subnames in the ENS App, or want to transfer the name later. |
Free | At your DNS provider | You want zero gas. You'll keep managing records in your DNS panel. Quickest to set up. |
Good to know
You need to already own the DNS domain at a registrar; ENS doesn't sell DNS domains.
Your domain must have DNSSEC enabled using RSA/SHA-256 or ECDSA keys. WordPress.com doesn't support DNSSEC; move your DNS to another provider while keeping WordPress for the site.
Onchain import needs ETH on Ethereum Mainnet for gas. There's no ENS registration or renewal fee; you only pay your DNS registrar each year.
The import is the only transaction. After that, a change to your
_ensTXT record is picked up on its own.
Important: DNS controls ENS. Whoever owns the DNS domain can reclaim the ENS version at any time by updating the _ens TXT record and selecting Refresh DNS. If your domain expires or you transfer it, the new owner can take the ENS name. Keep your DNS domain active to keep control.
Steps
Step 1. Enable DNSSEC at your DNS host
Open your registrar's control panel and turn DNSSEC on.
Step 2. Add the _ens TXT record
ENS checks for a specific TXT record on your domain to confirm you own it. In your domain's DNS panel, add:
Field | Value | Notes |
Type |
| The DNS record type |
Name |
| The record name |
Value |
| Use the checksummed address, the one with mixed-case letters. Some registrar UIs normalise to lowercase, so double-check after saving. |
TTL |
| Time-to-live (seconds) |
 |
 |
Step 3. Open the ENS App and find your domain
Go to app.ens.domains, connect your wallet, search for your DNS domain and open it.
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Step 4. Run the DNSSEC check
Select Check. The ENS App reads your DNS records and confirms DNSSEC is set up. If it doesn't detect the changes, wait 10–30 minutes (DNS changes take time to spread) and refresh.
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Step 5. Select Claim and approve in your wallet
Most confirm in 1–2 blocks; busy networks can take longer. After that, your name appears in the ENS App with you as the Owner and you can set records.
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Troubleshooting
DNSSEC support by hosting provider
Provider | Key support | Setup guide |
easyDNS | RSA/SHA-256 & ECDSA | |
Google Cloud DNS | RSA/SHA-256 & ECDSA | |
Namecheap | RSA/SHA-256 & ECDSA | |
Hostinger | RSA/SHA-256 & ECDSA | Check provider docs |
Hostgator | RSA/SHA-256 & ECDSA | Check provider docs |
Bluehost | RSA/SHA-256 & ECDSA | Check provider docs |
For any provider not listed, search "DNSSEC" in their docs. Some major hosts charge extra for it.
What if the DNSSEC check fails?
Wait 10–30 minutes; DNS changes spread slowly. If it's still failing, run a DNSSEC Analyzer to check the DNS side for errors. See Fix DNS import errors for more cases.
Common questions
Can I transfer ownership of a DNS-imported ENS name?
Yes. The _ens TXT record decides who owns the name, so change the address there. You can also send the name in the ENS App, but the owner can always sync it back from the TXT record.
Does changing the DNS TXT record automatically update the ENS record?
Yes, although it takes a little time to get picked up. Anyone can still Refresh DNS to prompt the update, on the name's Ownership tab, to bring ENS in line with the current TXT record.
Can I switch to offchain later?
No. After you've completed the onchain method, it's not possible to revert to offchain.
Can I change the Manager of an imported DNS name?
Yes. You can set a new Manager from the ENS App. The owner can always sync it back to their address.
Do DNS-imported names support Fuses?
No. Imported DNS names can't use the Name Wrapper fuse system. Only .eth names do.
How do I refresh or sync a DNS-imported name?
Open the name in the ENS App, go to the Ownership tab, and select Refresh DNS. It re-reads your _ens TXT record and updates the ENS Owner if it has changed.
Who can run Refresh DNS?
Anyone, not just the current owner: the _ens TXT record is the single source of truth. Keep your DNS domain active and the TXT record pointing at the right address.