Definition ∞ A domain registrar is a company that manages the reservation of internet domain names. These entities are accredited by organizations like ICANN to assign and manage domain names such as .com or .org. They facilitate the process for individuals and businesses to acquire and maintain their web addresses. This service connects a human-readable name to the corresponding IP address, enabling access to websites and online services.
Context ∞ While traditionally linked to conventional internet infrastructure, the concept of domain registrars is evolving with the emergence of blockchain-based naming systems like ENS. Discussions often involve the security implications of centralized domain management versus decentralized alternatives. Future developments might see increased integration of traditional domain services with decentralized identity and naming protocols, offering enhanced resilience and user control.