Shardeum and ZNS Connect partner to launch .shm domain names; these domains will be available during early access periods for around $1. With these domains, you no longer have to use hard-to-read wallet addresses that contain random letters and numbers, but can instead use an easy-to-use domain name (e.g. “yourname.shm”) to make transactions.
India’s Shardeum is a Layer 1 (L1) blockchain and already has an impressive number of validators, more than 171,000 since its recent launch. This partnership will allow many more users to experience the benefits of using Web3 without the normal complications that typically come with using cryptocurrencies.
Solving the usability challenge at Web3
One of the most persistent barriers to blockchain adoption is the intimidating nature of wallet addresses. Sending cryptocurrency to an address like 0x7a9f…e3b2 requires careful verification and causes friction for newcomers. ZNS Connect’s solution transforms this experience by allowing users to register domains such as “yourname.shm” that function as persistent identities across the Shardeum ecosystem.
The integration goes further than just naming. According to Shardeum’s announcement, .shm domains will be used as an identity and engagement layer where users can receive name-based payments, interact with other users across multiple blockchains, and use mini-games to encourage participation and reward them when they reach a milestone or complete a task. The launch of the .shm domains follows the trend of the Web3 identity space, as many projects collaborate with SPACE ID (an identity platform) and Zetarium (a project) to create new DeFi experiences.
Why Shardeum makes sense for ZNS Connect
Shardeum’s technical architecture makes it an excellent partner of decentralized naming services. The blockchain could launch its EVM mainnet in October 2025 and transition to a full smart contract platform. The dynamic state sharding technology provides linear scalability that can process more than 100,000 transactions per second with a low gas cost of approximately $0.001.
This combination of low cost coupled with high throughput makes domain registration and chain interactions affordable for regular users. With more than 81 million transactions processed as of May 2025, Shardeum has demonstrated the stability needed to facilitate identity infrastructure. The platform has achieved MiCA recognition, enabling compliant operations in all 27 EU member states.
Real world and future applications
Currently, .shm domains are considered human-friendly address solutions to transact across defi. The biggest advantage of .shm domains lies in the ability to later integrate them with other technologies, so you have an identity that works across all decentralized apps and platforms. Users would use their .shm across all DeFi protocols, gaming platforms, etc., creating a single Web3 presence.
The gaming and engagement features hint at gamification strategies that can make domain ownership more interactive. By tying rewards to chain activity and milestone completion, the platforms create sticky experiences for users. According to official documentation, ZNS functionality can be integrated into dApps functionality by the developer to provide more intuitive user experiences that don’t require users to manage complex wallet addresses.
Conclusion
This partnership stands out not only for the technology used, but also for the way both organizations tackle a real challenge that countless users face in the crypto space: the struggle to remember wallet addresses. For just $1 for early access, a .shm domain gives users an affordable way to establish their presence within the ecosystem, a crucial element in appealing to non-tech-savvy individuals. While there have been various names of blockchain projects offered by other companies, few have done so via highly scalable blockchain technology such as the Shardeum blockchain.