A cheap, audited, DAO-governed naming system with a real NGO legal wrapper, but limited resolution outside Tezos wallets and dated legal terms for a product whose governance now runs through the TED token.
by the bestcloudmining editorial desk · review version 2 · prose updated 2026-09-24 · facts as of 2026-09-24 · how we verify
Tezos Domains offers .tez naming as FA2 NFTs on the Tezos blockchain, governed by a DAO and legally structured under a Cayman Islands non-profit foundation. It’s for Tezos users wanting human-readable addresses or digital identity, with low annual fees paid in XTZ. While audited and on-chain verifiable, its utility is limited to Tezos-compatible wallets and dApps.
You can register .tez domain names annually, with pricing tiered by name length: 5+ characters cost 3 XTZ/year, down to 800 XTZ for 1-letter names. Shorter names (1-2 characters) are released via auction. You receive an FA2 NFT representing the domain, which you fully own and control in your wallet. You do not get custody of physical hardware or access to off-chain services beyond what the ecosystem supports.
Domains are rented on a one-year term with automatic expiration unless renewed. Auctions apply for 1- and 2-character names, potentially raising first-year costs. Renewals revert to standard pricing. Maintenance fees are not charged separately - the annual fee covers registration. There is no published refund policy; on-chain fees are non-refundable. If outbid in an auction, your balance remains withdrawable from the contract.
Yes: .tez domains are FA2 NFTs on the Tezos blockchain, with ownership, records, and expiry publicly verifiable via explorers like TzKT or TzStats. The smart contracts are open source (hosted on GitLab) and were audited by Quantstamp, whose certificate is publicly linked. This provides strong on-chain proof of legitimacy and self-custody.
Tezos Domains has operated since 2020 with steady development and a functional app. The foundation and DAO structure are documented, and contracts are audited. However, a December 2024 Reddit thread alleged misuse of DAO treasury funds by core contributors - this remains unproven. The Terms of Service date from 2021 and may not reflect current token-based governance, raising legal alignment concerns.
Pricing starts at 3 XTZ/year (~$0.98 at current rates) for 5+ character names, scaling to 800 XTZ (~$260.66) for 1-letter domains. Fees are paid in XTZ only, with no fiat option or KYC. Auctions can increase initial costs. The minimum purchase is one year of a 5+ letter name. Prices are length-tiered and renewable at standard rates regardless of auction history.
Tezos Domains is a legitimate, low-cost naming option if you’re active in the Tezos ecosystem and want a self-custodied NFT domain. It’s not suitable for broad web3 identity due to limited resolution support. Given governance shifts to the TED token, assess whether the DAO’s health aligns with long-term use.
| Documented price | $0.980 per year · $260.66 per year (1-letter name, 800 XTZ) |
|---|---|
| Minimum | $0.980 |
| Notes | Annual registration/renewal fees by length, paid in XTZ, observed 2026-09-24: 5+ letters 3 XTZ; 4 letters 12; 3 letters 50; 2 letters 200; 1 letter 800. At the 2026-09-24 CoinGecko XTZ rate ($0.3258) that is about $0.98 / $3.91 / $16.29 / $65.16 / $260.66 per year. Auctions can push the first-year price higher; renewals return to standard pricing. Direct registration is described as 3+ characters, with 1- and 2-character names released via auction. price_from_usd reflects the cheapest 5+ letter tier. |
Run the long math before paying: cloud mining calculator →
Ready to try Tezos Domains? Start small, verify one payout, and only scale up once the hashrate or compute actually matches what you paid for.
Based on our checks as of 2026-09-24: Tezos Domains scores 6.9/10 in our weighted review. We logged no red flags. User reports and operator background are documented with dated sources in the meta-review below.
You receive an FA2 NFT on Tezos, stored in your wallet, representing the domain. You control its records, subdomains, and ownership - no third party holds it for you.
You pay an annual fee in XTZ based on name length (3-800 XTZ). There are no additional maintenance fees, but renewals are required yearly to retain ownership.
The cheapest option is a 5+ letter name at 3 XTZ/year (~$0.98). There’s no trial; registration is for one year minimum with no partial refunds.
There are no payouts. Revenue comes only if you resell a domain on the secondary market, which is speculative and not guaranteed.
Since domains are self-custodied NFTs, they remain in your wallet. However, resolution and app support could degrade if development stops.
This isn’t mining or compute - it’s digital identity. Compared to buying XTZ or hardware, it’s a niche utility purchase, not an investment or infrastructure play.
One-time web3 domains with no renewal, plus at-cost ICANN DNS registrations from an accredited registrar.
The original .bit naming chain (2011): on-chain names for a 0.01 NMC fee plus transaction fee, merge-mined with Bitcoin.
Aptos Labs-operated .apt names: length-tiered annual rents in APT, 30-day grace period, operator can revoke names.
No comments yet - be the first. Posting runs a short proof-of-work in your browser (anti-spam), no account needed.