At Permissionless III, held from October 9-11, 2024, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, we had the opportunity to speak with Sandy Carter, a pioneering leader currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Unstoppable Domains. Sandy is spearheading innovation in blockchain-based digital identity solutions, setting the stage for the future of decentralized identities.
With an impressive career that includes leadership roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and IBM, Sandy has been instrumental in driving advancements in AI, blockchain, and AR/VR technologies. At AWS, she served as Vice President of Enterprise Workloads, and at IBM, she led global partnership development as General Manager of Ecosystem Development.
Named one of CNN’s Top 10 Most Powerful Women in Tech, Sandy is also a strong advocate for diversity in tech, previously serving as Chairman of the Board for Girls in Tech. She’s an accomplished author and a board member at AI-driven company Altair.
Her journey is marked by strategic vision and operational excellence, making her a key figure in the tech industry's ongoing evolution.
James (CryptoBit): Can you introduce yourself and explain the purpose of Unstoppable Domains?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
I’m Sandy, the COO of Unstoppable Domains. Our platform is designed to provide a digital identity for users in both Web2 and Web3. We’re a one-stop shop for domain names that serve as digital identities for individuals and businesses. We started in 2018 with the goal of simplifying crypto wallet addresses—similar to how entering an IP address changed to entering a domain like amazon.com. We saw the same problem happening with long crypto wallet addresses, so we developed simplified, human-readable usernames.
James (CryptoBit): So, how do these domains work? Are they backed by NFTs?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
Yes, they are what I like to call "super NFTs." These domains are placed on-chain and can hold all sorts of information. You can store your diploma, certificates, or even other NFTs like Pudgy Penguins. I, for example, have a Gary Vee event ticket in my digital identity profile, and I’ve also earned badges that allow me to participate in token-gated group chats with others who have the same badge.
James (CryptoBit): That's interesting. How do users engage with each other using these badges?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
On our profile page, users can chat with others who share the same badges, and it’s all encrypted. For example, if I earn a badge for winning a race in a metaverse game, I can unlock special cars and even have token-gated chats with other race winners. These features bring value beyond just collecting badges.
James (CryptoBit): Can you walk us through how users integrate their wallets with your platform?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
Currently, we support multiple wallets like Base, Solana, and Polygon. Domains can be minted on Ethereum, Polygon, and Base, with Solana coming in January. So, even though a domain may be minted on one chain, it can resolve and connect with multiple wallets from different chains. It's a truly multi-chain platform.
James (CryptoBit): What’s your background in crypto, and how did you end up at Unstoppable Domains?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
Before joining Unstoppable Domains, I was at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where I worked on enterprise workloads. During that time, I noticed many regulated industries, like banks and hospitals, were beginning to adopt blockchain technology. That’s when I started exploring Web3 use cases. About four years ago, Matt Gould, the CEO and founder of Unstoppable Domains, approached me, and I decided to join to help build this digital identity platform for Web3.
James (CryptoBit): You mentioned Web2 earlier. Is there any crossover between Web2 and Web3 on your platform?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
Absolutely. We recently started tokenizing Web2 domains. For example, sandycarter.com now lives on blockchain, but it still maintains all the value of a traditional Web2 domain. Over time, we believe domains will just become assets in themselves, with both Web2 and Web3 capabilities. We’re also an ICANN-accredited registrar, so we can sell domains like .com and .crypto.
James (CryptoBit): How do you differentiate Unstoppable Domains from other platforms?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
One of our key differentiators is that we’re an ICANN-accredited registrar, so we sell .com, .crypto, and other top-level domains. We’re also a one-stop shop for users who want both a Web2 and Web3 presence. And to make things easier for Web2 users, we create a wallet for them when they buy a domain, but we keep the terminology simple, using familiar concepts like passwords instead of private keys.
James (CryptoBit): Can users transfer their existing Web2 domains to your platform?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
Not yet, but it’s something we’re working on. Once this feature is ready, users will be able to transfer domains like .com to us, and they’ll be tokenized and placed on-chain. This will give their .com domains "superpowers" by adding blockchain functionality while still being resolvable in Web2 browsers.
James (CryptoBit): Do you have a marketplace for domain sales?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
Yes, we recently launched a secondary marketplace where users can buy and sell domains. For example, you could sell james.crypto on the marketplace. We already have about 50,000 listings, and our largest sale so far was $20,000. In the future, we’ll expand this to include multiple types of domains, like .ai.
James (CryptoBit): How do you ensure privacy and security on your platform?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
Most of the data on our platform is stored on-chain, though some is off-chain with Web2-level security, like what you'd get from Google Cloud. We’re also actively exploring ways to enhance privacy because, while Web3 is all about transparency, users also want privacy when it comes to certain aspects, like regular purchases or personal habits.
James (CryptoBit): How can people purchase domains on your platform?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
You can buy domains with a credit card, PayPal, and hundreds of cryptocurrencies. We’ve made it simple for both Web2 and Web3 users to engage with the platform. Whether you're a crypto enthusiast or someone new to the space, you’ll find it easy to buy a domain and start using it.
James (CryptoBit): Where can people follow Unstoppable Domains or get involved?
Sandy (Unstoppable):
You can find us on Twitter at Unstoppable Web and visit our website at unstoppabledomains.com. You can also check out my profile at ud.me/Sandy.NFT. Additionally, I run a group called Unstoppable Women of Web3 and AI, and we’re focused on bringing more women into this space.
James (CryptoBit): Thank you, Sandy. This has been really insightful!
Sandy (Unstoppable):
Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share what we’re doing at Unstoppable Domains.
In the evolving landscape of the internet, Unstoppable Domains stands out by offering a fresh perspective on digital identity. Let's take a deeper look into its features and functionalities:
Unstoppable Domains provides more than just domain names; it offers a comprehensive digital identity solution for both Web2 and Web3:
Unstoppable Domains offers blockchain-based domain names with unique benefits:
Replace complex crypto addresses with a simple, human-readable name like 'yourname.crypto', enhancing user-friendliness in transactions.
Unstoppable Domains is uniquely positioned to connect traditional and decentralized web:
Unstoppable Domains is committed to expanding the Web3 ecosystem:
Unstoppable Domains isn't just redefining domain ownership; it's pioneering the transition towards a Web3 environment where users have greater control over their digital identity and data. By bridging Web2 and Web3, simplifying user experiences, and continuously innovating, Unstoppable Domains is well-positioned to lead the charge in this new era of the internet.
For more information, visit unstoppabledomains.com or follow them on X @UnstoppableWeb. Other socials: Youtube - TikTok - Instagram - Facebook - Linkedin
Unstoppable Domains is a company that provides blockchain-based domain names, which are meant to simplify cryptocurrency transactions and offer decentralized websites.
These domains replace complex cryptocurrency addresses with human-readable names and can be used to launch censorship-resistant websites. They're registered on the blockchain, giving users full ownership and control.
You can purchase blockchain domain extensions like .crypto, .nft, and now even traditional .com domains through Unstoppable Domains.
No, one of the key features is that you pay once, and the domain is yours forever, with no renewal fees.
Yes, you can point your Unstoppable Domain to traditional DNS records to work with existing web infrastructure or use it for decentralized content.
Since the domains are stored in your wallet like any cryptocurrency, you have full control over your data, reducing reliance on centralized registrars.
It simplifies the process by allowing users to send cryptocurrencies to a domain name instead of a complex address, reducing errors and making transactions user-friendly.
They are considered secure due to their blockchain nature; however, like any digital asset, they're subject to the security of your wallet and personal operational security practices.
Yes, you can list your domain for sale on their marketplace or transfer it to another user.
Unstoppable Login allows users to use their domain as a universal username across apps and services in the Web3 ecosystem, providing a decentralized identity solution.
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