Why did the price of ENS fall?
Ethereum Name Service (ENS) dropped 6.28% in the last 24 hours, underperforming the overall crypto market, which fell 2.69%. This adds to a 21% decline over the past week. The main reasons are:
- Market-wide caution – Fear is high in crypto markets (Fear & Greed Index at 32), with altcoins like ENS feeling the biggest impact.
- Token unlock pressure – Nearly $20 million worth of ENS tokens became available on October 5, increasing selling pressure.
- Technical breakdown – ENS price fell below a key support level at $16.47, triggering automatic sell orders.
Deep Dive
1. Market Sentiment & Altcoin Weakness (Negative Impact)
Overview:
The Fear & Greed Index, which measures market emotions, dropped to 32, signaling “Extreme Fear.” At the same time, Bitcoin’s dominance rose to 58.82%, meaning investors are moving money away from altcoins like ENS. ENS’s 6.28% drop in 24 hours was sharper than the overall market decline of 2.69%, showing that investors are avoiding riskier assets.
What this means:
ENS is a mid-sized token within the Ethereum ecosystem, so it’s more sensitive to shifts in investor confidence. The Altcoin Season Index, which tracks how altcoins perform compared to Bitcoin, fell 47% over the week, indicating traders are pulling out of speculative coins.
What to watch:
If Bitcoin’s price stabilizes and climbs above $115,000, it could ease pressure on altcoins like ENS.
2. Token Unlocks Increase Selling Pressure (Negative Impact)
Overview:
On October 5, 19.82 million ENS tokens (worth about $320 million at that time) were released into circulation as part of a scheduled vesting plan. When large amounts of tokens become available, it often leads to price drops because more tokens are available to sell.
What this means:
Even if only some of these newly unlocked tokens are sold, it can overwhelm the market, especially when trading volume is low. ENS’s trading volume fell 18% to $65 million in 24 hours, making it harder to absorb selling without price drops.
What to watch:
Keep an eye on wallet activity linked to these unlocked tokens to see if large amounts are being moved or sold.
3. Technical Breakdown (Negative Impact)
Overview:
ENS’s price fell below a key support level at $16.47, known as the pivot point, and also below the 50% Fibonacci retracement level at $16.71. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 35.6, nearing oversold territory but not quite there yet. The MACD indicator shows negative momentum, suggesting the downtrend may continue.
What this means:
Many traders use these technical signals to decide when to sell, so breaking below these levels can trigger more selling. The next support level is at $14.84, which was last tested in June 2025.
What to watch:
If ENS can close above $16.47, it could signal a reversal and reduce selling pressure.
Conclusion
ENS’s recent price drop is due to a combination of market fear, token unlocks increasing supply, and technical factors triggering sell-offs. While the token may see short-term rebounds due to oversold conditions, the price range between $14.84 and $16.47 is crucial for stabilizing investor confidence.
Key point to watch: Can ENS hold above the $14.84 support level as trading volume decreases?
What could affect the price of ENS?
The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is currently balancing between growing adoption as a Web3 identity tool and challenges from the broader cryptocurrency market.
- ENSv2 and Layer 2 Migration – Moving core functions to a Layer 2 solution could cut transaction fees significantly, encouraging more users (positive sign).
- Token Unlocks – Nearly 20 million ENS tokens will become available in October 2025, which could lead to selling pressure (negative sign).
- Market Sentiment – The Fear & Greed Index is low, showing cautious investor sentiment, which creates mixed signals for ENS.
In-Depth Analysis
1. Protocol Upgrades & Adoption (Positive Outlook)
What’s Happening:
ENS developers are working on ENSv2, which may shift key operations to a Layer 2 blockchain like Linea. This change could reduce Ethereum network fees by about 90%, making it cheaper to register ENS domains. Partnerships with platforms like Gemini (integration) and Base, which has over 750,000 .base.eth registrations, show growing real-world use.
Why It Matters:
Lower fees usually lead to more people registering ENS domains—there are already around 2 million .eth names. Past events, like Coinbase Germany’s listing in July 2025, saw transaction volumes jump by over 200%. The fees collected from domain renewals (around $9.5 million annually) help support the value of the ENS token.
2. Token Unlock Risks (Negative Outlook)
What’s Happening:
On October 5, 2025, about 19.82 million ENS tokens (roughly 30% of the tokens currently circulating) will be unlocked from team and advisor wallets. Similar token unlocks in other projects like Aptos and ImmutableX have led to price drops of 15-20%.
Why It Matters:
Since half of ENS’s total supply (100 million tokens) is still locked, these unlocks could flood the market and put downward pressure on the price. The token has already dropped 43% over the past 90 days, reflecting concerns about dilution. Keep an eye on DAO treasury activity for signs of coordinated selling.
3. Crypto Market Sentiment (Mixed Outlook)
What’s Happening:
ENS’s price tends to move closely with Ethereum (correlation of 0.96), so it’s influenced by Bitcoin’s market dominance (currently 58.72%) and overall investor sentiment, which is cautious right now according to the Fear & Greed Index. However, trading volumes are up nearly 100% month-over-month, suggesting some accumulation.
Why It Matters:
If ENS breaks above $20.89, it could trigger a short squeeze pushing prices toward $28.94. But if it falls below $12.18, the current downtrend could continue. Technical indicators show the token is oversold but haven’t yet signaled a clear reversal.
Conclusion
ENS’s future price depends heavily on successfully moving to Layer 2 before the large token unlock in October 2025 increases selling pressure. Demand for Web3 naming services is strong, as shown by a 313% increase in large investor holdings in July. Still, the token’s performance is tied to the overall cautious mood in crypto markets. Watch for updates on the Namechain testnet and the upcoming token unlock date to gauge how ENSDAO might manage token supply and support the token’s value.
What are people saying about ENS?
Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is currently experiencing mixed feelings between excitement about its role in Web3 identity and caution from traders. Here’s what’s happening:
- Partnership with Gemini boosts interest in ENS subnames
- Key price level at $26.15 is a battleground between buyers and sellers
- Institutions are buying ENS despite market uncertainty
In-Depth Look
1. Gemini Partnership Brings Positive Momentum
Ethereum Name Service (@ensdomains) announced that every Gemini user will receive a gemini.eth subname. This makes it easier for users to manage cross-chain transactions and recover accounts.
See the original announcement
Why it matters: Gemini is a major cryptocurrency exchange, and this collaboration could lead to more people using ENS as a simple and secure way to manage their digital identities. This supports ENS’s main purpose and could help it grow significantly.
2. Big Investors Show Confidence by Buying ENS
A notable investor, Trend Research, recently moved 203,000 ENS tokens (worth about $5.5 million) from Binance, marking the first big purchase in a year.
Read more here
Why it matters: This shows that some large players believe in ENS’s future, especially its role in governance. However, the price of ENS is still 43% below its highest point in 2025, indicating some caution remains.
3. Traders Are Betting Against Further Price Gains
Data shows that more traders are betting on ENS’s price to fall rather than rise, with a Long/Short ratio of 0.8 and 55% of positions being short, despite ENS gaining 71% so far this year.
More details here
Why it matters: This suggests traders think ENS might be overvalued right now and expect some profit-taking or a price drop after a strong rally of 213% since June.
Summary
The outlook for Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is mixed. On one hand, partnerships like the one with Gemini and integrations with platforms like PayPal and Venmo highlight ENS’s growing usefulness in the Web3 space. On the other hand, the token faces challenges from a weaker altcoin market and concentrated buying on exchanges. The $26.15 price level is critical—if ENS stays above this, it could continue rising toward $32-$38. But if it falls below, it might drop further toward $20. Keep an eye on this key support to understand where ENS might be headed next.
What is the latest news about ENS?
ENS is navigating token unlocks and growth in Web3 identity during a volatile market. Here’s the latest update:
- Large Token Unlocks (October 6, 2025) – Nearly $20 million worth of ENS tokens were released, increasing selling pressure.
- Domain Market Challenges (October 5, 2025) – Traditional domain sales are slow and costly, highlighting the advantages of ENS’s tokenized approach.
- Gemini Partnership (August 14, 2025) – Gemini integrates ENS for easier wallet recovery and cross-chain naming.
In-Depth Look
1. $19.8 Million ENS Tokens Released (October 6, 2025)
What happened:
On October 6, 2025, 19.82 million ENS tokens were unlocked, worth about $19.8 million at $1 each. This is part of a larger wave of over $1 billion in crypto tokens becoming available in October 2025. When tokens are unlocked like this, more coins enter the market, which can lead to price drops if demand doesn’t keep up.
What it means:
This event is generally neutral to negative for ENS’s price. The token unlock coincided with a 21% price drop during the week ending October 16, suggesting some holders may be selling. Watching how many tokens move to exchanges and market sentiment indicators like the Fear & Greed Index (currently 32/100) can help predict short-term price pressure. (Cointribune)
2. Traditional Domain Market Faces Liquidity Issues (October 5, 2025)
What happened:
Selling traditional internet domains can take 3 to 6 months and often involves high broker fees (15–30%). This slow process contrasts with tokenized assets like real estate, which settle faster. Experts warn that traditional domains risk becoming outdated unless they adopt tokenization methods similar to ENS, which allow instant transactions and integration with decentralized finance (DeFi).
What it means:
This is a positive sign for ENS over the long term. As the standard for Web3 naming, ENS could gain market share by offering features like fractional ownership and use across different blockchain networks. However, widespread adoption depends on overcoming regulatory challenges and improving user experience to connect Web2 and Web3 systems. (Binance News)
3. Gemini Adds ENS Subnames (August 14, 2025)
What happened:
Gemini introduced smart wallets that automatically assign ENS subnames like you.gemini.eth. This makes sharing wallet addresses easier and helps users recover lost wallets through ENS names. Over 750,000 users of the Base App benefit from this feature.
What it means:
This is a strong positive for ENS’s practical use. When major exchanges adopt ENS subnames, it confirms ENS’s role as a key identity layer in Web3. Increased use by institutions could boost demand for .eth domain registrations, though the price impact might be delayed due to broader crypto market downturns. (ENS Domains)
Conclusion
ENS is facing mixed signals: token unlocks and a weak market test its resilience, but partnerships and shifts in the domain industry highlight its growing importance in Web3. The key question is whether rising institutional adoption can balance out the increased token supply in October or if broader market challenges will keep prices under pressure.
What is expected in the development of ENS?
The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) roadmap is focused on improving scalability, enhancing user experience, and growing its ecosystem. Here’s what’s coming up:
- ENSv2 Migration (Q4 2025) – Moving to a Layer-2 solution to significantly reduce transaction fees.
- Namechain L2 Rollout (2026) – Launching a dedicated blockchain layer just for ENS operations.
- Subname Integrations (Ongoing) – Expanding partnerships, like Gemini’s wallet recovery feature.
In-Depth Look
1. ENSv2 Migration (Q4 2025)
What it is:
ENSv2, introduced in May 2025, plans to move key functions such as domain registrations and renewals to a Layer-2 network like Linea or a custom-built "Namechain." This upgrade aims to cut gas fees by about 90% and speed up transactions. It will also introduce a system where users can control personalized subdomains (for example, wallet.yourname.eth) with more detailed management options (ENSv2 Blog).
Why it matters:
- Positive: Lower fees make it easier and cheaper for more people to get .eth names, encouraging wider adoption.
- Potential challenges: Delays in implementing Layer-2 or disagreements within the community could slow down progress.
2. Namechain L2 Rollout (2026)
What it is:
ENS Labs is building "Namechain," a specialized Layer-2 blockchain designed specifically for ENS. It will support cross-chain functionality using CCIP-Read, meaning .eth names could work across other blockchains like Bitcoin and Solana (ENSv2 Hub).
Why it matters:
- Positive: This could make ENS the go-to identity system across multiple blockchain networks, strengthening its role in Web3.
- Neutral: Its success depends on adoption by popular crypto wallets such as MetaMask and Trust Wallet.
3. Subname Integrations (Ongoing)
What it is:
ENS is broadening how subdomains are used. For example, Gemini offers you.gemini.eth subdomains to help with wallet recovery. Future plans include social recovery features and enterprise-level DNS integrations, like a case study with PayPal and Venmo expected in July 2025.
Why it matters:
- Positive: These features increase ENS’s usefulness for secure custody solutions and make it attractive for businesses.
- Potential challenges: Competitors like Unstoppable Domains are also targeting enterprise partnerships.
Conclusion
ENS is focusing on making its platform more scalable through Layer-2 migration, enabling cross-chain compatibility with Namechain, and integrating real-world applications via subnames. While technical challenges and user adoption remain important factors, these developments could boost long-term demand for .eth domains and participation in $ENS governance.
Key question: Will the lower fees from ENSv2 lead to a big increase in registrations, or will the market reach a saturation point that limits growth?
What updates are there in the ENS code base?
Ethereum Name Service (ENS) has introduced important upgrades and new partnerships to grow its Web3 identity platform.
- ENSv2 Hub Launch (August 5, 2025) – A central hub for information on the upcoming ENSv2 and migration to Namechain Layer 2 (L2).
- Testing Infrastructure Update (April 2024) – Switched from Cypress to Playwright for faster and more reliable end-to-end testing.
- Security Fix – Search Autocomplete (April 2024) – Removed the automatic ".eth" autocomplete feature to prevent phishing risks.
Deep Dive
1. ENSv2 Hub Launch (August 5, 2025)
What’s new: ENS created a dedicated website that explains the move to ENSv2 and the shift to Namechain, an Ethereum Layer 2 solution. This hub gathers all technical documents, governance updates, and migration instructions in one place.
The goal of ENSv2 is to cut transaction fees by about 90% and allow names to work across multiple blockchains through its Layer 2 system.
Why it matters: Lower fees make it cheaper to register and use .eth domain names for things like crypto wallets, websites, and decentralized organizations (DAOs). This could lead to more people adopting ENS. (Source)
2. Testing Infrastructure Update (April 2024)
What’s new: ENS switched its testing tools from Cypress to Playwright. This change speeds up testing by about 40% and better supports complex features like wallet connections and multiple blockchain networks.
Why it matters: While this doesn’t immediately impact users, it helps developers catch bugs faster and improve ENS features more reliably, especially for big updates like ENSv2. (Source)
3. Security Fix – Search Autocomplete (April 2024)
What’s new: ENS removed the feature that automatically added ".eth" when users typed in hex addresses (like 0x123…). This autocomplete could trick users into sending funds to fake addresses.
Why it matters: This fix protects users from scams and builds trust in ENS by addressing security issues quickly without making the app harder to use. (Source)
Conclusion
ENS is focusing on making its platform more scalable and secure while keeping it easy for developers to build on. The ENSv2 upgrade and move to Namechain could make ENS the go-to naming system for Web3. The big question is whether lower fees on Namechain will drive a wave of new .eth registrations as Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions become more popular.