A domain, or domain name, is usually associated with the name of a website. However, this is not always the case. In this article, we will explore the concept of domains using the example of the ".ton" zone, although there are other domain zones that function on different blockchains, such as ".sui", where the principles of operation are similar.

In the ".ton" network, your domain is the unique name you choose, to which you can "attach" a cryptocurrency wallet, a website, or even a smart contract.

The main advantage of a domain is that it is a user-friendly name, especially compared to long cryptocurrency wallet addresses. For example, a wallet address may look like this: EQDZ3FVcaCjwbL4IEtfnWPokJilaPUdqzHNwv1_GUV_U-Pt0. An additional advantage is that the domain owner is issued an NFT, demonstrating a practical application of this technology.

Due to the decentralized nature of ".ton" domains, it is practically impossible to block your domain, unlike traditional domain zones such as ".com" or ".org". In exceptional cases, there is a possibility to change ownership or delete the domain through a network-wide vote, but there must be substantial grounds for this.

It is important to note that throughout the year, the domain owner must send a certain amount of TON to the domain's address to extend it for another year. If the domain is not renewed, it will go into auction mode. This prevents the permanent loss of domains in cases where owners lose access to them, for example, due to a forgotten seed phrase of the wallet where the NFT domain is stored.

This article provides a general understanding of the concept of domains without delving into technical details.