Handshake (HNS) is an entirely community-run blockchain that decentralizes Internet domains. Handshake names are decentralized top-level domains.

Before Handshake, it was only possible to rent subdomains from top-level domains like ".com".

With Handshake, anyone can own top-level domains along with unlimited subdomains.

Before Handshake, domains lived on the centralized servers of top-level domain owners who were controlled by ICANN. These domains could be easily censored and seized by many parties.

With Handshake, domains now live on a decentralized blockchain controlled by no one. These names are uncensorable and cannot be seized by anyone.

HNS↗TO is a community project created by nijynot/ that enables you to access Handshake domains like namebase/ by appending ".hns.to" (e.g. namebase.hns.to). To directly access Handshake domains without appending "hns.to", use HDNS.

Check out the Namer Community's resources for a deeper dive into Handshake.