Blockchain

A blockchain is a distributed, append-only ledger replicated across a peer-to-peer network of nodes — no single server owns it, and past records cannot be altered without redoing all subsequent work. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous one, chaining them into a tamper-evident history. Transactions are validated by consensus rather than a central authority, which means settlement is transparent and globally verifiable. Ethereum is the most widely used blockchain for programmable assets, running smart contracts that encode ownership rules directly in code. For domain names, blockchains supply the property-rights layer that DNS alone lacks: a record of who holds an NFT-wrapped domain is permanently on-chain, auditable by anyone, and transferable without asking a registrar. Namefi uses blockchain infrastructure so domain ownership is provable, composable with DeFi protocols, and not dependent on any single custodian. Source: Ethereum Developer Documentation.