The Future of Decentralized Identity | Nick from ENS

In this deep-dive episode of the Building Web3 Podcast, host Jax Dwyer interviews Nick Johnson, the lead developer and founder of Ethereum Name Service (ENS). If you've ever wondered how crypto naming works, or why it's more important than just convenience, this episode is a must-listen.

Nick explains how ENS simplifies Web3 by allowing users to replace unreadable wallet addresses with human-readable names like alice.eth. But this conversation goes far beyond naming. We unpack how ENS is building the backbone of decentralized identity and how it's modeled after the DNS system used across the internet today, while still remaining fundamentally different.

We discuss the technical architecture of ENS, how it leverages Ethereum smart contracts for censorship resistance, and how users can integrate ENS with IPFS to host decentralized websites. Nick also addresses concerns around privacy, wallet traceability, and how ENS is working to empower users without compromising security.

The conversation also explores the ENS DAO, its governance model, and how decentralization actually works in practice, flaws and all. We talk trade-offs, real-world effectiveness, and how ENS balances credible neutrality with strategic direction. Nick shares how ENS allocates grants, funds public goods, and contributes to the broader Ethereum ecosystem.

This episode is full of insights for crypto builders, governance nerds, and anyone interested in the future of digital identity, crypto privacy, and user-owned infrastructure. Stick around for the end, where Nick shares a powerful startup idea that could radically improve transaction clarity and reduce phishing attacks in wallets.

📌 Chapters:

00:00 – Intro to ENS and Why It Matters

01:10 – Problems With Long Crypto Addresses

02:40 – Why ENS Improves Both UX and Security

03:00 – How DNS Works and What ENS Borrows From It

05:00 – The Smart Contract Architecture of ENS

06:30 – How ENS Handles Decentralization and Upgradability

07:45 – Privacy in Crypto: The Real Problem Isn’t ENS

09:40 – ENS as a Web3 Profile Layer

11:00 – Using ENS With IPFS and Hosting Decentralized Content

12:00 – History of ENS: From Side Project to Global Standard

13:00 – Building ENS Governance and the DAO Trade-Offs

14:30 – Why ENS Delayed Its DAO Launch

15:50 – Delegation, Working Groups, and the Role of Stewards

16:45 – Why ENS Chose .eth Instead of Multiple TLDs

18:00 – How ICANN and DNS Are Evolving

19:30 – The Politics of Naming Systems and Global Coordination

20:30 – ENS + DNS Integration: Using .com with ENS

21:00 – Startup Idea: Transaction Transparency for Wallets

22:30 – The Wallet UX Problem and Why It's a Commons Issue

23:30 – Where Builders Can Get Funding: ENS, RetroPGF, Gitcoin

24:30 – How to Get Involved With ENS

25:00 – Final Thoughts: Building the Future of Web3 Identity

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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Building Web3 is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Jax, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

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