Decentralized Domain Registry Raises $4 Million From Draper, Boost VC

A blockchain startup is bringing the fight for free speech to the domain level.

Unstoppable Domains announced Thursday a $4 million Series A led by venture capital firm Draper Associates.

Boost VC, which led the startup's seed round, was the only other participant in the Series A. "For global free speech to work, you need to be able to say what you want and you need to be able to operate a business as you want," Unstoppable Domains co-founder Brad Kam told CoinDesk.

By operating a decentralized domain registry, Unstoppable Domains claims to offer websites that can't be taken down by government authorities or traditional domain providers.

The issue of domain registrars booting objectionable platforms surged into public view after GoDaddy removed social network Gab following the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting last October.

"The way all companies have traditional website domains today, all individuals will have unique blockchain domains in the future for all info and payments."

Zil domain extension, which is set to go live after a domain auction in June.

"By decentralizing domain names, Unstoppable Domains has the potential to spread free speech around the world," Tim Draper, managing partner of Draper Associates, said in a statement.

Kam said the company could potentially offer more domain extensions in the future, though currently.

Zil domains for $10 and premium domains for $250. Kam declined to share current user numbers.