Definition

What Are Prepunk ENS Domains?

Definition

PrePunk ENS domains are Ethereum Name Service domains that were registered during the initial ENS auction period from May 9, 2017, to June 23, 2017. These domains are distinguished by being registered before the launch of CryptoPunks (also on June 23, 2017), one of the most iconic and influential NFT collections in cryptocurrency history.

The term "PrePunk" refers specifically to this chronological distinction - these domains predate the "Punk" era that was inaugurated by CryptoPunks and subsequently influenced much of the NFT ecosystem.

Key Attributes

PrePunk domains are defined by several key attributes:

1. Registration Date: Any ENS domain with a registration timestamp between May 9, 2017, and June 23, 2017, qualifies as a PrePunk.

2. Registration Method: All PrePunk domains were registered through the original Vickrey auction system.

3. Registry Position: PrePunk domains occupy the first ~80,000 positions in the ENS registry (specifically rows 1-79,720).

4. Technical Signature: Each PrePunk domain has a corresponding transaction record and timestamp on the Ethereum blockchain that verifies its origin during this specific time period.

Types of PrePunk Domains

PrePunk domains come in several varieties:

1. Named Domains: Standard domains with human-readable names that were registered during the initial auction.

2. Chaff/Unnamed Domains: Domains that were registered by their hash values, without readable names being assigned. These domains are particularly unique artifacts of the early ENS system.

3. Migrated Domains: PrePunk domains that were successfully migrated to the new ENS registry after the 2019 upgrade.

4. Non-Migrated Domains: PrePunk domains that were not migrated and thus exist only in the original registry records.

Historical Significance

PrePunk domains hold special significance for several reasons:

1. Ethereum Timeline Context

PrePunk domains were registered:

• Before the ICO boom of 2017

• Before most people had heard of Ethereum

• Before NFTs entered the mainstream consciousness

• When ETH was priced below $250

• During the early experimental days of decentralized applications

2. Technical Significance

These domains represent:

• The first implementation of decentralized naming on Ethereum

• Early experiments in auction mechanisms on blockchain

• The foundation of digital identity within Ethereum

• A testing ground for smart contract design patterns

3. Cultural Significance

PrePunk domains signify:

• Early adoption of blockchain technology

• Foresight about the importance of human-readable addresses

• Participation in Ethereum's formative period

• The beginning of digital provenance for named assets on blockchain

Verification and Identification

Verifying a domain's PrePunk status requires:

1. Confirming its registration date falls within the PrePunk period (May 9 - June 23, 2017)

2. Verifying its presence in the original ENS registry

3. For unnamed domains, comparing hash values against the registry records

4. Checking its registration row number (must be ≤ 79,720)

Current Status

Today, PrePunk domains are recognized as significant blockchain artifacts with historical value. Their special status comes from their timestamp and provenance rather than any technical difference in functionality compared to later ENS domains.

Many PrePunk domains remain active and in use, while others exist primarily as historical collectibles or investments. Due to their limited supply and historical significance, certain PrePunk domains may carry additional value beyond standard ENS domains registered in later periods.

What Makes a Domain a "Prepunk"?

A "Prepunk" ENS domain is defined by its registration date during a specific, very early period in the Ethereum Name Service's history.

The Defining Timeframe:

To qualify as a Prepunk, an ENS domain must have been successfully registered and finalized between:

• Start Date: May 9th, 2017 (Epoch Timestamp approx. 1494328939)

• End Date: June 23rd, 2017 (Epoch Timestamp approx. 1498252062)

Note: Timestamps can vary slightly depending on the source, but this range is the commonly accepted window. Epoch time refers to the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 (UTC).

Why "Prepunk"?

The name originates from the fact that this registration period predates the launch of the iconic CryptoPunks NFT collection (launched June 23rd, 2017). This timing places Prepunks among the earliest non-fungible digital assets on the Ethereum blockchain, giving them significant historical relevance.

Key Characteristics:

• Historical Significance: They represent the first wave of user adoption for ENS, a foundational piece of web3 infrastructure.

• Limited Supply: Only names registered within this specific ~45-day window qualify. Based on historical data analysis (like Makoto Inoue's original Dune query), there are 79,720 such domains.

• Auction Origin: All Prepunks originated from the initial Vickrey auction system used by ENS.

• Rankable: Because they stem from the initial, ordered registration process, Prepunks have an inherent ranking based on their registration time (or row_number in databases), adding a layer of rarity.

Essentially, a Prepunk is more than just an ENS name; it's a timestamped artifact from the dawn of the user-friendly decentralized web on Ethereum.