ENS has launched version 2 on Ethereum mainnet, changing how .eth names and their subnames are managed. Instead of one flat registry, each name can now have its own on-chain registry, letting the owner assign separate permissions for tasks like creating subnames or updating records without giving up control of the parent name.
For builders, that means clearer roles: a community, app, or service can manage routine subname operations while the main identity stays with the parent owner.
For current holders, nothing breaks. Existing .eth names still work, and upgrading through the ENS app does not require registering again. Migration is optional. ENS launched the upgrade on October 27, 2026. Eligible holders can also claim a commemorative NFT after upgrading all eligible names, based on a June 1 snapshot, with one claim per wallet.