Runs On Radix Q&A: XRD Domains | The Radix Blog | Radix DLT

With Babylon soon to launch, the Radix ecosystem is ushering in a new phase in DeFi.

This series will examine projects in the Runs On Radix program, spotlighting their contributions to the Radix ecosystem

Over the next few months, Radix Publishing will interview these projects, giving the Radix community a detailed look into each one’s goals and progress.

Next, we cover XRD Domains, a tool for simplifying domain management, enhancing security, and improving Web3 usability.

TLDR 

What is XRD Domains?  

Imagine a GoDaddy designed for the Web3 universe—this is the level of success XRD Domains aims to achieve. This project is laser-focused on simplifying domain management on the Radix network. As the main developer of the Radix Name Service (RNS), XRD Domains serves as both a domain registry and a trust layer operating on the Radix infrastructure.

Seamless User Interactions

Tailored for an exceptional user experience (UX), the XRD.domains platform caters to both Web3 veterans and newcomers alike. Its design parallels that of Zapier, offering a frictionless approach to domain and integration management. Future developments are slated to include a domain management panel where users can effortlessly add various integrations, taking the user-friendly Web3 experience to the next level.

Enhancing Trust with Features

Beyond ease of use, XRD Domains is also committed to fostering trust in the Web3 environment. Plans are in the works to add user-friendly layers to robust RNS features, such as insignias. These insignias will act as quick and straightforward trust indicators, allowing users to gauge the reliability of services they’re interacting with. In essence, XRD Domains aims to marry user-centric design with powerful backend features, setting the gold standard for domain management in the Web3 world.

Why XRD Domains Stands Out in the Web3 Landscape

XRD Domains emerges as a Web3 leader by offering a comprehensive set of features that go well beyond the basic offerings of traditional name services like Ethereum Name Service (ENS). Here are the key elements that set XRD Domains apart:

The Revolution of Namelets: An App Store Experience for Domain Management

XRD Domains has innovatively introduced ‘namelets’—lightweight widgets designed to simplify domain record management. Unlike traditional systems that often overwhelm users with technical jargon and intricate settings, namelets provide an ‘app store-like’ user experience. This user-friendly approach makes XRD Domains accessible to a broad audience, ranging from Web3 novices to seasoned experts.

Genus Domains: Retaining Full Brand Value

The domain name ecosystem often puts brand owners in a tight spot by constantly introducing new extensions, such as .com, .net, and .biz. XRD Domains addresses this challenge through ‘genus domains.’ These allow primary domain owners to transform subdomains into genus domains, thereby preserving complete brand ownership and value. This approach eliminates the need for ICANN applications, third-party intermediaries, and exorbitant fees, thus enabling brand owners to fully exploit the advantages of domain ownership.

Insignias and Trust Scores: Adding a Security Layer

While traditional name services like ENS have contributed to easier domain management, they often neglect a fundamental aspect: security. XRD Domains fills this gap by introducing ‘insignias’ and ‘trust scores.’ Similar to SSL certificates in the Web2 ecosystem, these insignias establish a trusted chain for Web3 domains. This feature is particularly beneficial in the DeFi sector, where verifying domain authenticity can have significant implications.

RNS Foundation and DAO Framework: Ensuring Longevity and Compliance

XRD Domains has also laid a solid foundation for its operations by establishing the RNS Foundation and a DAO framework. Equipped with legal advisors, this foundation aims to protect DAO participants and ensure the project operates within legal parameters. While setting up such a robust framework involves significant capital and effort, it lends the project an enduring credibility, making it a viable choice for long-term growth.

In summary, XRD Domains provides a holistic suite of services that simplifies domain management, empowers brand owners through genus domains, and enhances security through insignias and trust scores. With its innovative features, XRD Domains is not merely adapting to the evolving Web3 landscape but actively shaping its future.

 The Formation of the Team and Project

James Wylie, Beem, and Rock Howard first crossed paths at the Foohack hackathon in 2022. All three were deeply involved in the Radix network—serving as ambassadors and pursuing other Radix-related projects. Leveraging his decade-long experience with tech startups, James Wylie pitched the idea of developing a name service tailored for Radix.

The concept for the Radix Name Service (RNS) emerged from James’ observation of people using the .xrd domain on Twitter. Realizing this could be a natural extension for Radix, he saw room for both UX improvements and expanded features. The team agreed that current Web3 data management tools were lacking in user-friendly interfaces and decided to build XRD.domains as a gateway into RNS.

At the time, the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) was gaining traction, prompting Wylie to consider how Radix could build a superior model. Given that domain names are crucial for easy navigation on the internet, Wylie felt it was essential to bring the same clarity to the more complex world of Web3, especially for peer-to-peer transactions.

The Team Behind XRD Domains

Wylie, from Wales, UK, serves as the Founder, Director, and Full-stack developer of XRD Domains, alongside being a Co-founder of the Radix Name Service. He has been actively involved in Radix since 2020, having set up a Radix validator: Radnode. 

Wylie’s journey began at the age of 13 when he started coding, eventually leading him to develop and release multiple SaaS products in the late noughties. He founded his first freelance venture at the young age of 17, which later evolved into a prosperous software consulting company, granting him financial independence. 

Throughout his career, he has worked across various industries, ranging from blue-chip companies to startups and the public sector. His motivation stems from a deep-seated desire to foster positive and constructive communities and create value within the Web3 space. 

He has a passion for translating ideas into action and growing subsequent companies. Wylie firmly believes that Web3 offers a unique opportunity to pursue this passion in a fair and equitable manner. He also sees the current energy in the Web3 environment as reminiscent of the early days of the SaaS industry, characterized by excitement and abundant opportunities. 

Faraz is the community lead for XRD.Domains and co-founder of the Radix Name Service. With a background in mechanical engineering, it was his desire to understand how things work that led to the exploration of digital assets in 2014 and the eventual discovery of Radix in 2017. 

Motivated by the strength and breadth of the Radix community through several years as a moderator and node-runner, Faraz was introduced to XRD.Domains through Wylie (a fellow Radix validator) and immediately saw the immense potential in complimenting the game-changing UX that Radix was promising to deliver to the web3 space, by introducing a feature rich domain name service. 

Aled is the frontend dev for XRD.Domains and co-founder of the Radix Name Service. He embarked on his coding journey during the Covid19 lockdown and has been working in startups ever since. An introduction to crypto by Wylie in 2019 ignited Aled’s interest in the crypto space, sparking a shared passion for web3 and crypto. 

This has motivated him to actively contribute to innovation in an industry that holds the potential to shape our collective future. The technology and vibrant community driving Radix provide a solid foundation on which to build XRD.Domains which makes him confident that the project will be impactful not only in the Radix community but other crypto spaces as well. The team behind XRD.Domains is what makes this project special for Aled.

Liv, based in Wales, UK, holds multiple roles as Digital Designer for XRD Domains and co-founder of the Radix Name Service. She became actively involved in October, 2022. During the lockdown, Olivia took the opportunity to upskill in graphic design, discovering a profound passion for design and illustration. Recognizing the wide array of possibilities within the industry, she decided to venture into it by jumping in the deep end and establishing an online greetings card business. 

Liv’s, motivation is deeply rooted in her introduction by Wylie to cryptocurrency several years ago, leading her to open a Coinbase account. With a solid grasp of cryptocurrency concepts and their underlying principles, she was approached by Wylie to consider a digital design role at XRD Domains. This seemed like a natural path for her to combine her design skills with Wylie’s business acumen.

Rock Howard, hailing from Texas, USA, serves in various pivotal roles as an RNS Advisor, Partner Outreach specialist, and Technical Writer. His involvement in Radix dates back to 2021. With a distinguished background, Rock Howard is a CalTech graduate with over four decades of experience in software development. 

This includes a remarkable 10-year stint as CEO and later CTO of a software tools company that he co-founded. Recognized for his prowess as a speaker, writer, and software business advisor, Rock has lent his expertise to more than a dozen startup and early-stage projects. His journey into the world of cryptocurrencies began when he started using Bitcoin early on, inspired by the interest shown by his CalTech classmate, Hal Finney. 

Rock’s exploration of various crypto projects, particularly in the DeFi space, led him to the captivating world of Radix, which he discovered in January 2021. After retiring in December 2021, Rock took on the role of Senior Ambassador for Radix and began advising several projects, including Impahla and XRD Domains.

Ibrahim Mahmood, also known as Beem, lives in London, England, UK, and plays pivotal roles as the RNS Co-founder and Scrypto Developer. His journey with Radix began in 2021. Ibrahim holds a degree in Computer Science and ventured into the world of financial services immediately after university. 

His career within highly regulated trading platforms spanned various teams, including the frontend of trading platforms, technical analysis, and FIX, a messaging trading protocol widely used by institutions. Over time, Ibrahim specialized in payment systems integrations for various merchants, including major tech enterprises. 

Transitioning from the highly regulated world of financial services to the crypto realm was a significant shift for him. Presently, he focuses on developing Radix smart contracts using Scrypto and RustLang as part of XRD Domains and RadLock. 

His motivation for founding RNS and joining the team lies in the desire to legitimize DeFi, with domains serving as a crucial step in that direction. He believes that publicly available and quickly addressable names are essential for the evolution of this space. Additionally, the opportunity to collaborate with an exceptional team further fuels his dedication to this cause.

You can watch the full interview with Wylie from XRD Domains below: 

For more information on the project, head to the website, follow the project’s official Twitter account, or join the XRD Domains Telegram channel.

All information about XRD Domains was provided by the XRD Domains team and has not been verified by Radix Publishing, RDX Works, or their associated companies.

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