The digital domain landscape is experiencing a significant shift as blockchain technology continues to reshape how we think about internet naming systems. This week, Italian startup Freename announced it has secured $6.5 million in Series A funding to advance its blockchain-based domain name technology, signaling growing investor confidence in decentralized web infrastructure.
Having covered the evolution of domain registration systems since the early days of ICANN policy changes, I’ve watched with interest as blockchain alternatives have emerged to challenge traditional DNS. Freename’s approach represents one of the more ambitious attempts to bridge conventional domains with crypto-native naming systems.
The funding round was led by Iconium, with participation from United Ventures and Primal Capital. What distinguishes this investment is the timing—coming during a period when web3 funding has generally contracted compared to the 2021-2022 boom cycle.
“Domain names represent one of the most underestimated assets in the digital economy,” Freename CEO Fabrizio Motti told me during a call discussing the funding announcement. “By leveraging blockchain technology, we’re creating a more transparent, secure ownership model that eliminates many vulnerabilities in the traditional system.”
Founded in 2018, Freename has developed a platform that allows users to register, manage, and trade domain names across multiple blockchain networks. The company’s technology supports both traditional top-level domains (TLDs) and blockchain-native extensions, creating an interoperable system that works with conventional browsers and decentralized applications.
According to data from Web3 Domain Alliance, blockchain domain registrations have surpassed 3 million globally, with monthly growth rates averaging 14% since early 2023. This expansion comes as users seek greater control over their digital identities and developers build applications requiring censorship-resistant infrastructure.
The technical implementation differentiates Freename from earlier blockchain domain projects. Rather than creating a completely parallel system, they’ve developed middleware that allows for cross-compatibility between traditional DNS and various blockchain naming protocols.
The funding arrives as competition in the space intensifies. Established players like Unstoppable Domains and ENS (Ethereum Name Service) have already captured significant market share, while newcomers like Handshake and Bonfida offer alternative approaches to decentralized naming.
What makes this funding particularly noteworthy is the emphasis on practical applications beyond cryptocurrency. While early blockchain domain projects focused primarily on cryptocurrency wallet addressing, Freename is targeting broader use cases including decentralized websites, digital identity verification, and simplified login systems for web applications.
“The domain name system was never designed with modern security challenges in mind,” explains Marco Vitale, Managing Partner at Iconium. “Freename’s technology addresses fundamental weaknesses while maintaining compatibility with existing internet infrastructure.”
The technical challenges remain substantial. Blockchain domains still face adoption hurdles including browser compatibility issues, complex user experiences, and the need for specialized wallets or extensions. Resolving these friction points will be critical for mainstream adoption.
Additionally, regulatory questions loom. Traditional domain registrars operate within established legal frameworks governed by ICANN and national policies. Blockchain domains exist in a more ambiguous regulatory environment, potentially creating conflicts over intellectual property rights and content governance.
Freename plans to use the funding to expand its technical team, enhance platform functionality, and accelerate business development efforts across Europe and North America. The company has also announced plans to introduce enterprise-focused solutions for companies seeking to protect their digital assets through blockchain verification.
For everyday internet users, these developments may seem abstract, but the implications could be profound. Blockchain domains promise greater censorship resistance, simplified digital payments, and potentially more seamless identity verification across websites and applications.
Having tested several blockchain domain platforms over the past year, I’ve found the user experience improving but still facing significant challenges compared to traditional domain registration. Freename’s focus on bridging these systems rather than replacing them entirely represents a pragmatic approach to a complex technological transition.
As the internet continues evolving toward more decentralized models, funding rounds like this highlight how the fundamental infrastructure of the web remains a fertile ground for innovation and investment, even during broader market downturns in the technology sector.
The road to mainstream adoption for blockchain domains remains long, but with substantial funding now flowing to companies like Freename, the foundation for a more decentralized, user-controlled internet naming system is steadily being built—one domain at a time.
