Shardeum has partnered with ZNS Connect to introduce .shm domain names, marking a move to make blockchain interactions more accessible to mainstream users. Under the partnership, early access pricing for these domains is expected to be close to one dollar, lowering the barrier for adoption. The domains allow users to replace long, complex wallet addresses made up of random characters with readable identifiers, such as a personalized .shm nam,e when conducting transactions.
This initiative is intended to remove one of the most persistent obstacles in blockchain adoption. Wallet addresses have long been viewed as intimidating and error-prone, particularly for new users who must carefully verify every transaction. By enabling name-based identifiers, the collaboration seeks to make sending and receiving digital assets more intuitive and less stressful, supporting broader participation in Web3 applications.
Shardeum’s Growing Network and Infrastructure
India-based Shardeum operates as a Layer 1 blockchain and has already established a substantial validator network, surpassing 171,000 validators since its recent launch. This scale reflects strong community participation and positions the network to support a growing user base. The introduction of .shm domains is expected to help attract users who are interested in Web3 functionality but hesitant due to usability challenges commonly associated with cryptocurrencies.
Shardeum’s technical design plays a key role in enabling decentralized naming services. The network launched its EVM-compatible mainnet in October 2025, completing its transition into a full smart contract platform. Its dynamic state sharding architecture supports linear scalability, allowing the blockchain to process more than 100,000 transactions per second while maintaining gas fees at roughly one-tenth of a cent. These characteristics make frequent on-chain interactions, including domain registration and usage, affordable for everyday users.
Beyond Naming: Identity and Engagement Layer
The .shm domains are positioned as more than simple address replacements. They are intended to function as an identity and engagement layer across the Shardeum ecosystem. Users are expected to receive name-based payments, interact with others across multiple blockchains, and participate in interactive features such as mini games. These activities are designed to encourage engagement by rewarding users for completing tasks or reaching predefined milestones.
This approach aligns with broader trends in the Web3 identity space, where naming and identity solutions are increasingly integrated with decentralized finance and user engagement tools. Projects across the industry are exploring similar collaborations to create more seamless and socially interactive blockchain experiences, signaling growing interest in identity-driven ecosystems.
Scalability, Compliance, and Adoption Potential
Shardeum’s performance metrics further support its suitability as an identity layer. By May 2025, the network had processed more than 81 million transactions, demonstrating operational stability at scale. In addition, the platform has achieved recognition under the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, enabling compliant operations across all 27 European Union member states. This regulatory alignment is expected to increase confidence among developers and enterprises building on the network.
What’s your .shm name? 👀
ZNS Connect is live on @shardeum, bringing real on-chain identity and actions:
• Human-readable names like alice.shm
• Say GM → build on-chain activity & reputation
• 1-click deploy tokens, NFTs & contracts (no code)Identity meets usability — now… pic.twitter.com/tzXAXcdLK4
— ZNS CONNECT (@ZNSConnect) December 23, 2025
At present, .shm domains are positioned primarily as human-friendly address solutions for decentralized finance transactions. However, their long-term value lies in extensibility. The domains are designed to integrate with other technologies over time, allowing users to maintain a consistent identity across decentralized applications, including DeFi platforms, gaming environments, and other Web3 services. This unified identity model could reduce fragmentation and simplify user experiences across ecosystems.
Gamification and Developer Integration
The inclusion of gaming and engagement features suggests a broader gamification strategy aimed at increasing user retention. By linking rewards to on-chain activity and milestone completion, the platforms are creating interactive experiences that encourage regular participation. ZNS Connect’s tooling is also designed to be developer-friendly, allowing domain functionality to be embedded directly into decentralized applications.
For developers, this integration offers a way to build interfaces that feel more familiar to users, eliminating the need to manage or display complex wallet addresses. As a result, the partnership between Shardeum and ZNS Connect positions .shm domains as a foundational element in making Web3 applications more approachable, scalable, and user-centric.