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Announcing our $1M USDC Developer Fund: Igniting DomainFi Innovation on the Doma Testnet

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Announcing our $1M USDC Developer Fund: Igniting DomainFi Innovation on the Doma Testnet
Blog Header Image Announcing our $1M USDC Developer Fund

By Michael Ho (CBO & Co-Founder, D3)

I’m thrilled to share some big news that’s set to shake up the $360 billion domain industry. Today, we’re unveiling a $1 million USDC developer fund to supercharge the Doma Protocol’s public testnet and fuel the rise of DomainFi—a new frontier where domains become liquid, composable assets bridging Web2 and Web3. Let’s dive into the highlights of this launch and why it’s a game-changer for developers, domain investors, and the future of the internet.

Doma Protocol Testnet: The Foundation for DomainFi

The Doma Protocol testnet app is now live, marking a major milestone in our mission to tokenize 364 million+ domains as real-world assets (RWAs). Think of Doma as a DNS-compliant blockchain that seamlessly connects traditional domains like .com, .xyz, and .ai with Web3 extensions like .sol, .anime, and .ape. It’s a global, interoperable marketplace where domains aren’t just URLs—they’re digital real estate with DeFi utility, fractional ownership, and lending potential.

This testnet launch comes with two exciting initiatives: the Doma Forge developer program and the new Doma testnet app (check it out at start.doma.xyz). Together, they’re paving the way for a vibrant ecosystem of builders and investors reimagining how domains are owned, used, and traded.

Doma Forge: Where Developers Build the Future of Domains

At the center of this launch is Doma Forge, a builder-first program designed to spark DomainFi innovation. Backed by our $1M USDC grant pool, Doma Forge is your launchpad to create DomainFi DApps that leverage Doma’s infrastructure. Here’s what’s in store for developers:

  • Tap into a $1M USDC Grant Pool to Fuel Your Vision: Apply for funding to take your project from ideation to mainnet deployment. Whether you’re building DeFi tools, digital identity solutions, or payment systems, we’ve got your back.
  • Developer-in-Residence Program: Work side-by-side with Doma’s technical experts for hands-on mentorship.
  • Open APIs and SDKs: Use open-source tools to tap into trusted domain data—pricing, history, state changes—and build DApps that scale.
  • Ecosystem Integrations: Connect with leading Web3 ecosystems like Solana, Base, Avalanche, Animecoin, and more for distribution and infrastructure support.
  • Community Power: Join a thriving network of Web3 builders and users, with backing from top-tier VCs like Paradigm and Coinbase Ventures.

As our VP of Product & Technology, Inder Singh, put it, “Doma Forge is the catalyst for developers to build the next generation of DApps on Doma… It’s where innovation meets opportunity to reshape domains as digital assets across Web3 ecosystems.” I couldn’t agree more—this is your chance to shape the future of domains.

Want to get started? Head to doma.xyz/forge to apply for grants and resources. Pro tip: Submit your application by July 31, 2025, for priority consideration!

Doma Testnet App: Domains as Liquid Assets

For domain investors, the Doma testnet app at start.doma.xyz is your playground to explore tokenized domains as liquid, composable assets. With integrations underway across Solana, Base, Avalanche, and more, the app lets you:

  • Sync Domains Onchain: Ensure ownership integrity with DNS-compliant tokenization and cross-chain attestation.
  • Fractionalize Premium Domains: Split high-value domains into tradable shares.
  • Tap DeFi Liquidity: Access lending and trading pools for yield generation.
  • Reach 400M+ Crypto Wallets: Connect with a global audience of buyers and sellers.

Whether you’re trading .coms or .shibs, the app bridges Web2 and Web3 domains into a decentralized marketplace. As our CEO Fred Hsu said, “Doma is a transformative step forward in making domains great again.” It’s digital real estate for the global DomainFi economy, and you can get hands-on with it now.

Why DomainFi Matters

DomainFi is about unlocking the financial potential of domains. With 364 million+ domains out there, Doma Protocol makes them interoperable across websites, email, wallets, and marketplaces. It’s DNS-compliant, DeFi-ready, and built for mass adoption. Whether you’re a developer building DApps or an investor trading tokenized domains, DomainFi is redefining how we will interact with the internet’s most fundamental assets.

Join the DomainFi Revolution

This is just the beginning. The Doma testnet is live, the $1M USDC fund is ready, and the DomainFi ecosystem is growing fast. Here’s how you can jump in:

At D3, we’re all-in on building the world’s first DomainFi network, and we want you to be part of it. Let’s make domains great again—together.

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