Name Wrapper

A Name Wrapper in the context of ENS (Ethereum Name Service) is a smart contract that allows any ENS name-whether it’s a .eth domain, a subdomain, or even a DNS-imported name-to be “wrapped” into an ERC-1155 NFT. This process fundamentally upgrades how ENS names can be managed, transferred, and customized, introducing new features and controls that were not previously possible.

Key Features of the ENS Name Wrapper

1. Wrapping ENS Names as ERC-1155 NFTs

• Before the Name Wrapper, only .eth second-level domains (like example.eth) were ERC-721 NFTs. Subdomains and DNS names were not NFTs and lacked the flexibility and interoperability of NFT standards.
• With the Name Wrapper, any ENS name or subname can be wrapped into an ERC-1155 NFT, making it transferable, tradable, and compatible with wallets and marketplaces that support the ERC-1155 standard.

2. Unified Ownership and Management

• Unwrapped .eth names have a separate “Owner” (Registrant) and “Manager” (Controller). After wrapping, there is a single account that serves as both owner and manager, simplifying control.

3. Permission Control Using “Fuses”

• Wrapped names come with a system of “fuses,” which are customizable permissions that can be burned (revoked) to restrict or enable certain actions. Examples include:
  • Preventing the transfer or sale of a name (CANNOT_TRANSFER)
  • Allowing or restricting the extension of a subname’s expiry (CAN_EXTEND_EXPIRY)
  • Emancipating subnames so that parent owners can no longer control them (PARENT_CANNOT_CONTROL)
• These fuses enable fine-grained control over both parent and subnames, supporting use cases like trustless subdomain issuance, token-gated access, and more.

4. Wrapping and Unwrapping Process

• To wrap a .eth 2LD, the owner transfers the ERC-721 NFT to the Name Wrapper contract, which then issues an ERC-1155 NFT in return. For other ENS names, the manager role is transferred, and the ERC-1155 NFT is issued.
• Names can be unwrapped (returned to their original state) as long as the permission to do so has not been revoked by burning the relevant fuse.

5. Expanded Use Cases

• The Name Wrapper expands ENS from simple wallet naming to broader applications, such as:
  • Creating and managing subnames as NFTs
  • Building decentralized communities with custom subdomain rules
  • Distributing tokens, tickets, or proof of identity via subnames
  • Enabling trustless subdomain rentals and airdrops

Summary Table

Feature	Before Name Wrapper	With Name Wrapper (ERC-1155)
NFT Standard	ERC-721 (.eth 2LD only)	ERC-1155 (any ENS name/subname)
Subnames as NFTs	Not possible	Possible
Permission System	Limited	Advanced (fuses)
Ownership Structure	Owner & Manager separate	Unified owner/manager
Use Cases	Naming only	Communities, tickets, airdrops, etc.

In Essence

The ENS Name Wrapper transforms ENS names into flexible, programmable NFTs with advanced permission controls, unlocking new ways to manage, transfer, and utilize blockchain-based identities and domains.