How to Buy a Domain Name Permanently (Can you?)

If you still think that domain names cannot be bought permanently, you are in for a surprise! 

Whether you're an aspiring developer launching your first app, a domain investor, or a business owner protecting your brand, having a domain name that lasts a lifetime is now a possibility. And this possibility is all because of Web3 domains.

If you are wondering what Web3 domains are, how they work, and how you can own a domain name permanently, you're at the right place. 

Can You Permanently Own a Domain Name?

This very question leads us into the core distinction between traditional domain systems which is Web2, and blockchain-powered systems or Web3 domains. While both might seem similar, the functionality of Web3 domains offers a game-changing improvement over Web2.

In Web2: You’re Not Buying — You’re Renting

When you "buy" a domain name on Web2 platforms like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains, you are just registering the right to use it for a fixed term. 

These domains are governed by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), a centralized authority that maintains the global domain name infrastructure.

You can usually register a domain for 1 to 10 years. Registrars offer auto-renewal, but forgetting to renew can mean losing your domain. Even after 10 years, you're bound to renewal, or risk expiration.

So, in Web2, it is just a lease it under strict rules. You could lose it due to policy violations, legal disputes, or even something as simple as an expired credit card.

In Web3: Ownership Becomes Real

Web3 completely flips this model. Domains powered by blockchain, like those offered by Freename, are minted as NFTs. Once minted, the domain is stored in your crypto wallet and 100% owned by you, not a registrar.

There are no renewal fees, expiration dates, or middlemen with override access. If you hold the private key to your wallet, you hold full control of the domain.

Web2 vs Web3 Domains: What's the Difference?

To better understand the shift, here’s a side-by-side comparison of how traditional domains stack up against their blockchain-based counterparts.

As the table shows, the Web3 model empowers users with capabilities that simply aren’t possible in Web2, especially when it comes to ownership rights, security, and flexibility.

How Domain Ownership Works (Behind the Scenes)

To truly understand the value of permanent ownership, it's crucial to understand how the domain lifecycle works in both ecosystems.

This decentralized system gives creators and businesses true digital sovereignty. And if you're in the domain flipping business, owning your domain — or better yet, your own TLD — creates long-term value streams.

Common Misunderstandings About Domain Permanence

Transitioning from Web2 to Web3 domain models brings new clarity and corrects some widely held misconceptions:

Myth #1: “I bought my .com domain for 10 years, so it’s mine forever.”

It’s not. If you fail to renew or face a legal challenge, it can be taken or sold to someone else.

Myth #2: “Web2 domains are safer because they’re regulated.”

In fact, central regulation introduces risk. Many domains have been seized or suspended arbitrarily. The truth is that Web3 domains are self-sovereign. If you control the keys, you control the domain. No one can take it from you.

Real-World Proof: Why Ownership Matters

Let’s ground this in reality. These case studies illustrate the risks of Web2 and the promise of Web3:

Nissan vs. NissanComputer.com

A small business owner registered nissan.com before the carmaker did. Nissan spent years (and millions) trying to take it, and failed. Imagine if it had been a Web3 domain.

ENS Domains (Ethereum Name Service)

Domains like vitalik.eth have sold for tens of thousands. They're used across wallets, DeFi, and the Metaverse.

Freename TLD Owners Earning Royalties

Users who mint custom TLDs via Freename (like .builder or .chatgenius) earn passive income every time someone registers a subdomain (Refer to Freename Docs for more info).

Why Freename Is Leading This Evolution

While multiple platforms offer Web3 domains, Freename is pioneering something far more transformative: it enables users to mint, own, and monetize not just domains, but entire TLDs. That’s a serious power shift.

Freename Offerings

• Own your own TLD (e.g., .gamer, .coder, .queenbee).
• Earn lifetime royalties every time someone registers a domain under your TLD.
• Plug into Web3 platforms across wallets, browsers, and dApps.
• Integrate domains with websites, NFTs, and metaverse identities.

Whether you're a brand, influencer, or digital real estate investor, owning a TLD is like owning the land instead of just the building.

Key Takeaways for Domain Buyers, Flippers, and Developers

• Web2 domains are leased, not owned. You're at the mercy of policies and renewals.
• Web3 domains represent true digital ownership. You hold the keys, literally.
• Freename gives you control at a new level, letting you create and profit from your own domain ecosystem.
• As digital identity becomes more important, owning your namespace — and even your own TLD — is a strategic edge.
• If you’re serious about branding, security, or investment, Web3 domains aren’t optional. They’re inevitable.

So, can you buy a domain name permanently?

In the Web2 world, not really. You're essentially renting the domain, with control limited by policies, renewals, and central oversight.

But in the Web3 world, especially on platforms like Freename, permanent ownership is the core feature. Whether you’re protecting your brand, building an on-chain identity, or investing in next-gen digital assets, Web3 domains open the door to a future you can truly own.

Claim your decentralized web today Buy Freename Domains.