The Cardano Foundation is preparing to take a major step in shaping its global identity. It plans to apply for the .ada and .cardano generic top-level domains (gTLDs) once the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) reopens its domain window in early 2026.
The Foundation confirmed the move through an update on X, explaining that the initiative will be self-funded and aims to connect Cardano’s ecosystem more closely with the wider digital landscape. If approved, the new domains would allow users, developers, and businesses to register unique web addresses tied directly to the network, for example, stakepool.ada or project.cardano.
The proposal is currently open to community feedback. ADA holders can cast their opinions in a poll designed to measure support before the Foundation moves forward. Once the process gains majority backing, the Foundation intends to complete payment and submit both domain applications without delay.
The stated goal is to “enhance trust, accessibility, and innovation across the Cardano ecosystem.” This development could mark one of the first examples of a blockchain network acquiring its own web namespace under the official global domain structure.
Acquiring the .ada and .cardano domains would give Cardano full control over its digital namespace and reduce the risk of misuse by external parties. It would also create a consistent, verifiable identity for projects and organizations working within the Cardano framework. Such a move marks a significant brand milestone for one of the world’s most widely used proof-of-stake blockchains.
The Foundation has started the process by filing an information action to the governance system for the community's formal review. The community's approval would mean that the team could proceed with the next stage, which is the official filing with ICANN. The decision to play it this way now is well thought out: ICANN has not opened the doors for new domain applications for over 13 years; thus, the 2026 window is a rare chance.
By securing an early position in the queue, Cardano is one of the few blockchain projects aspiring to achieve official digital identities at the infrastructure level. ICANN, the organization responsible for the worldwide allocation of domains, is believed to be reopening the process in the first quarter of 2026. However, the time to act for applicants will be very limited.
Cardano (ADA) was traded at $0.6328 during the announcement, indicating a 0.44 % daily decrease. Its market cap decreased to $22.68 billion, while the 24-hour trading volume dropped by 10.95% to $1.02 billion, indicating a more subdued market mood.
According to CoinMarketCap, ADA's fully diluted valuation is $28.47 billion, with a circulating supply of 35.85 billion ADA out of a maximum of 45 billion. The daily fluctuations in the price ranged between $0.6373 and $0.615, reflecting the persistent volatility. The volume-to-market-cap ratio of 4.51% indicates that there is limited liquidity in the market and that traders are cautious, as selling pressure is consistently present.
Notwithstanding, Cardano remains one of the primary blockchain ecosystems in terms of user activity and development. Analysts say that the long-term development might be dependent on the power of initiatives like the domain application to "make the network visible and trusted by the community." Could these new digital identities be the ones to establish the concept of trust and identity for blockchain projects across the modern internet?
Cardano’s plan to apply for the .Ada and .Cardano domains are more than a branding exercise; it’s a bid to secure their place in the global digital infrastructure. The move could unify its Web2 and Web3 presence, improve ecosystem trust, and create a long-term foundation for growth.