The decentralized web is evolving rapidly, and .eth domains have emerged as digital assets with growing significance in the blockchain ecosystem. On August 9th, 2022, a notable wave of .eth domain transactions revealed key trends about buyer preferences, pricing dynamics, and marketplace activity. This analysis dives into the sales data from that day—focusing on domains sold for 1 ETH or more—to uncover patterns that matter to investors, developers, and Web3 enthusiasts.
Overview of .eth Domain Sales Activity
A total of 10 verified .eth domain sales were recorded at or above the 1 ETH threshold on this date. The highest single transaction reached 8 ETH, equivalent to $13,552 at the time—an impressive valuation reflecting strong demand for premium blockchain-based identities.
OpenSea dominated as the leading marketplace, hosting all recorded transactions. This underscores its position as the go-to platform for NFT-based domain trading. With no sales occurring on alternative venues, OpenSea’s liquidity and user base continue to shape the .eth domain economy.
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Key Statistical Highlights
- Highest sale: 8 ETH ($13,552)
- Median sale price: 1.2 ETH
- Longest domain name: 10 characters (e.g., multimedia.eth, barbershop.eth)
- Most common length: 4-character domains accounted for 8 out of 17 total sales
- Numeric presence: 58.8% of domains included at least one number
- Hyphen usage: 0% — indicating a clear market preference against hyphenated names
These statistics suggest that brevity, simplicity, and alphanumeric clarity are highly valued traits in the .eth domain market.
Breakdown of Top .eth Domain Sales
The standout sale of the day was abraham.eth, which fetched 8 ETH on OpenSea. Despite being seven characters long, its appeal likely stems from its recognizable personal name branding—a trend seen across high-value domain investments.
Close behind was multimedia.eth, selling for 7.8 WETH ($13,162), highlighting demand for professional, industry-relevant terms. Similarly, 4⃣1⃣.eth—a stylized numeric domain—sold for 7 WETH, demonstrating that creative interpretations of numbers can command premium prices.
Other notable sales include:
- 5444.eth – 6.8135 USDC (~$6,813)
- clam.eth – 3.5 WETH ($5,929)
- dalton.eth and yonkou.eth – both sold for over 2 ETH
Even at the lower end of the spectrum, domains like 0862.eth, xlx.eth, and apepe.eth maintained a floor price of around 1.2–1.0 ETH, indicating a stable baseline value for short, memorable .eth names.
Patterns in Domain Naming Preferences
Several naming trends emerged from the dataset:
Shorter Names Dominate
Eight of the top sales were 4-character domains, reinforcing the premium placed on conciseness. Short domains are easier to remember, type, and integrate into branding—making them ideal for wallets, dApps, and personal identity.
Numbers vs. Letters
Over half of the sold domains (58.8%) contained numbers, suggesting numeric combinations remain attractive—especially when they form patterns (e.g., 5444, 0117). However, purely alphabetic names like abraham.eth still achieve top-tier valuations when they carry cultural or linguistic weight.
No Hyphens — A Clear Market Signal
Zero domains sold contained hyphens. This aligns with broader internet naming conventions where hyphenated URLs are often viewed as less trustworthy or harder to communicate verbally.
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Understanding Registration Costs and Fees
While sale prices reflect market demand, registration fees offer insight into long-term holding costs. Most .eth domains require an annual renewal fee, typically ranging from $5 to $160 per year, depending on name length:
- Names 7+ characters: ~$5/year
- Names 3–6 characters: ~$160/year
- Exceptional case: xlx.eth (3 characters) had a registration fee of $640—significantly higher due to scarcity and desirability
This tiered pricing model incentivizes early adoption of shorter names while ensuring sustainable management of the namespace.
Why .eth Domains Matter in Web3
.eth domains, managed through the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), serve as human-readable addresses for cryptocurrency wallets, decentralized websites (dWebsites), and smart contracts. Instead of sharing a complex string like 0xabc...123, users can send funds to alice.eth.
Beyond utility, these domains function as:
- Digital identity markers
- Branding tools for projects
- Investment assets with resale potential
As decentralized applications expand, owning a concise, brandable .eth name becomes increasingly strategic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a .eth domain?
A: A .eth domain is a blockchain-based domain name registered via the Ethereum Name Service (ENS). It simplifies crypto transactions and enables decentralized website hosting.
Q: How are .eth domains priced?
A: Prices depend on factors like length, memorability, keyword relevance, and market demand. Shorter and phonetically clear names typically command higher values.
Q: Where are .eth domains bought and sold?
A: Most transactions occur on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea, where .eth domains are listed as non-fungible tokens.
Q: Can anyone buy a .eth domain?
A: Yes—anyone with an Ethereum wallet and sufficient funds can register or purchase a .eth domain through the ENS app or secondary markets.
Q: Are numbered .eth domains valuable?
A: Yes, especially repeating or patterned numbers (e.g., 1111.eth). They’re popular among collectors and often trade at premiums.
Q: Do I need to renew my .eth domain?
A: Yes—domains require annual renewal with a small fee paid in ETH. Failure to renew results in loss of ownership.
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Final Thoughts: The Growing Value of Digital Real Estate
The August 9th, 2022 .eth domain sales reflect more than just isolated transactions—they signal a maturing market for decentralized digital assets. From personal names like abraham.eth to conceptual terms like multimedia.eth, these domains represent the foundation of online identity in Web3.
As adoption grows, early registrants and savvy investors stand to benefit from increasing demand. Whether you're building a decentralized brand or exploring new asset classes, understanding the dynamics of .eth domain sales is essential.
With OpenSea maintaining dominance and short, clean names holding strong value, now is an opportune time to evaluate how blockchain domains fit into your digital strategy.