There are domains that are issued and integrated with the domain name system (DNS) and then there are alt-DNS domains, which some refer to as Web3 domains, but it’s limited to blockchain interactions, graphics and vanity, wallet addresses, and with no native DNS integration or support. What would you say is the core problem facing Web2 domains today for those holding potentially valuable addresses?Ī common misconception is that there are Web2 and Web3 domains. Together with my co-founders, Shayan Rostam and Paul Stahura, we have over four decades of domain and DNS-specific expertise that we are using to bring real domains to Web3. I was a co-founder at where I was CTO, (Criteo) and Ember Entertainment (Gala), and over the years have managed domain portfolios consisting of millions of domains and over 200 million unique visitors per month. I have been active in the domain industry since the 2000s and patented domain monetization (parking), owned and operated domain aftermarket, auctions and drop-catching services, traffic marketplaces, and even domain conferences (DomainFest). Can you please start by sharing some of your background in the Web2 domain area, and how it’s influenced your leadership of D3? Thank you, Fred, for joining us to delve into the world of Web3 domains. Fred is an alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles. Earlier, he served as co-founder and CTO at, which was acquired by Oak Hill Capital Partners following a remarkable $150 million Series A funding round. As co-founder and CEO of, he contributed to its acquisition by Criteo. Before launching D3, he played key roles in several successful ventures. D3 is bringing Web3 Top Level Domains (TLDs) and secure, decentralized identities to the heart of the internet-the Domain Name System (DNS).įred Hsu is a seasoned entrepreneur and angel investor deeply involved in the Web3 space. D3 is a pioneering Web3 startup, leading the evolution of domain names into the next generation. Today, we have the pleasure of talking with Fred Hsu, the founder and CEO of D3. I wonder who bought it? I threw a pretty high price out there for what I consider to be a very valuable domain but still whenever it sells for the BIN you start wondering if you made the price too low.Welcome to the first edition of our Founder Stories series! Launched last month, Founder Stories showcases interviews with real founders and entrepreneurs, as well as discussions with executives shaping the future of technology and making global impacts.

It makes me wonder if it would have just fast transferred away even with funds pending if it had been listed for fast transfer. And why am I receiving a transfer away order ANYway if the funds are still pending? Jessica said something about how the sale must have included a domain transfer with it, but still - whatever, that's not the way to do things, sending me a transfer away request before the sale is final and with no notification of the sale. Still I think this is not the way to do things, I should have received a notification of sale, pending funds, something FIRST not just a transfer away order. She told me not to transfer it away yet until I receive verification.

Okay I got hold of Jessica in the AN escrow department the domain did sell for the full BIN price (wow), but funds are pending verification (paid by credit card apparently). The Fast Transfer system and AN in general seem buggy. I set a price anyway, but it seemed odd that the price request had disappeared. Obviously as well, shows as NO over at AN for Fast-transfer.Ĥ) On one occasion so far, I set the BIN price at AN, and then a few months later I logged in and saw that there was no BIN price listed at all at AN, that it had vanished.ĥ) Another time I got the email from AN 'Price Request,' logged in soon afterwards, and nowhere in my AN domain control panel was the usual notification that I needed to set a price. I go back and reclick at the DD side - still issue not resolved and still shows as NO over at AN for Fast-transfer.ģ) I never receive any email requesting that I allow the fast transfer at DD, and the option is not available on the DD side. I do so within my DD account, and on the DD side it shows that AN Transfer is in place ('Quick Info afternic') but then still it shows as NO (Requires Submission) over at AN for Fast Transfer. All is well.Ģ) I received the email stating that I need to click to allow the fast transfer. I do so within my DD account, and then it shows as YES over at AN (Active) for Fast-transfer. Actually, I never receive any subsequent email from anyone with a link to click anything, but instead what I do is login to my DD account and click on the relevant domains to 'Set afternic' and thereby allow Fast Transfer. or lower BIN price at AN, then one of three scenarios happens:ġ) I received the email stating that I need to click to allow the fast transfer at DD. I do have issues with AN Fast Transfer, and AN in general.

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