Summary
- ENS Labs has proposed activating ENSv2 on Ethereum mainnet, which would require ENS DAO approval and impose a temporary pause on new .eth registrations.
- The draft proposal was posted to the ENS DAO Governance Forum on October 11-12 2026 with no voting date set.
- Activation timing aligns with early Sepolia testing for Ethereum's Glamsterdam upgrade focused on UX and data handling improvements.
ENS Labs wants to flip the switch on ENSv2 for Ethereum mainnet. They need ENS DAO approval first. The change would pause new .eth registrations for a bit while current domains shift over.
The upgrade keeps existing holdings safe. It lines up with Sepolia testnet work on Ethereum's Glamsterdam upgrade.
Context
ENSv2 overhauls the whole naming system. The team wants this upgrade live on mainnet soon.
Ethereum pushes Glamsterdam for smoother UX and better data handling. Sepolia testnet work for Glamsterdam starts at epoch 353024 in October 2026. That sets the stage here.
Details
ENS Labs posted the draft on the ENS DAO Governance Forum during October 11-12 2026. No vote date exists yet as of mid-October 2026. The upgrade stops fresh .eth names from registering while it protects old ones.
"ENS is seeking DAO approval to activate an upgraded Ethereum naming system, pausing new .eth registrations temporarily while existing domains are preserved."
, Blockchair (Source)
Glamsterdam targets better UX and data handling. Its Sepolia phase kicked off in early October 2026. The ENS plan ties straight into this schedule. Mainnet dates stay unconfirmed for both.
DAO approval still hangs in the balance. Outcomes could push the ENSv2 timeline or kill it outright.
The upgrade freezes new registrations during migration. Current .eth domains remain untouched the whole time.
Outlook
ENS DAO reviews the proposal next while Glamsterdam keeps moving on Sepolia. Community talks and any vote will decide if ENSv2 reaches mainnet.