In a significant leap toward digitizing the aviation sector, Unstoppable Domains has partnered with Interconsea Inc., the creators of the Derad Network, to unveil a blockchain-powered top-level domain (TLD) specifically designed for the aviation industry. The new domain, labeled .derad, aims to provide aviation professionals with verified on-chain identities, setting the stage for a decentralized, interoperable future in global airspace operations.
This initiative marks a foundational step in integrating blockchain identity solutions into a sector traditionally reliant on siloed systems. By aligning decentralized technologies with aviation workflows, the .derad domain seeks to enhance trust, transparency, and collaboration across the industry.
Blockchain Identity Meets Aviation Modernization
The launch of .derad domains comes as aviation continues to explore digital transformation through automation, real-time analytics, and now, decentralized identity. The domain is positioned as more than a digital address—it functions as a credential that validates the identity of individuals and organizations involved in aviation and aerospace. This feature is especially significant for participants in the Derad Network, a decentralized platform focused on flight tracking and air traffic data sharing.
According to Unstoppable Domains, the integration of .derad domains allows users to participate seamlessly in crypto-enabled transactions, data sharing, and reputation verification. These digital identities are expected to serve as gateways for more efficient and secure interactions across a growing ecosystem of decentralized aviation tools and platforms.
Sandy Carter, COO of Unstoppable Domains, conveyed that the move toward a decentralized aviation model relies heavily on identity solutions that can cross platforms and maintain trust. She emphasized that enabling professionals to carry verified credentials throughout the ecosystem could pave the way for innovation and modernization in an industry that urgently needs digital upgrades.
Market Growth and Infrastructure Challenges
Industry forecasts underscore the opportunity for blockchain integration in aviation. MarketsandMarkets projects that the aviation software sector could hit $33.7 billion by 2030, while Allied Market Research anticipates a 22.1% compound annual growth rate for blockchain applications in aviation. Despite these promising figures, a 2024 IATA technical briefing reported that more than half of the industry’s systems still function on outdated, non-integrated infrastructures.
This outdated infrastructure presents a compelling case for introducing a blockchain-based identity layer. The .derad domains aim to bridge this gap by acting as digital passports for aviation professionals—enabling functions such as secure crypto payments, real-time integration with decentralized tools, and the establishment of portable reputations for users across platforms.
A New Digital Toolkit for Aviation Stakeholders
The .derad domain targets a broad array of users in the aviation ecosystem. This includes pilots, air traffic controllers, drone operators, maintenance engineers, and contributors to decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). It is also geared toward developers of aviation software and decentralized applications (dApps), as well as startups focused on emerging air mobility solutions.
Nijat Mayilov, CEO of Interconsea Inc., highlighted the broader vision behind the Derad Network, describing it as an attempt to reshape airspace management through decentralization. He noted that by assigning secure, verifiable identities to all participants—whether professionals or hobbyists—the ecosystem becomes more inclusive and efficient.
The Next Frontier: Web3 Meets Aerospace
Ultimately, the .derad domain aims to become a critical building block in the evolution of airspace management, bringing together decentralized identity, secure transactions, and real-time data collaboration. By empowering stakeholders with digital identities that can traverse platforms and jurisdictions, this initiative is expected to catalyze a shift toward a more agile, transparent, and interconnected aviation landscape.
As Web3 and aerospace technologies continue to converge, initiatives like .derad may set the standard for how industries adopt blockchain to solve long-standing operational challenges.