Your guide to Web3 identity powered by .LOCKER

A domain name has always been a way to carve out your place on the Internet. Now, it can also be the key to your identity across Web3.

Web3 builds on the foundation of Web2, introducing decentralized technologies that give users greater autonomy over their online presence—what they create, what they share, and how they connect. It’s not about replacing what’s come before, but expanding what’s possible: a web where individuals can truly own their presence and participate on their own terms.

And that’s where .LOCKER comes in. 

.LOCKER is a next-generation domain built on the Bitcoin blockchain that helps you step confidently into the decentralized world while staying grounded in the familiarity of traditional Web2 platforms. Web3 can feel complex and unfamiliar, but with a .LOCKER domain, you can tap into its powerful technologies in just a few clicks, without leaving behind the ease and familiarity of Web2. Whether you’re just getting started or already deep in the ecosystem, .LOCKER offers a streamlined way to build your Web3 presence without sacrificing usability or control.

Let’s dive into how Web3 is redefining digital ownership, why the Bitcoin blockchain is the gold standard for trust, and how .LOCKER makes it easy to claim a digital identity that is entirely your own.

What is Web3?

Web3 is the next evolution of the Internet. But before it came Web2—the web we know today.

Web2 transformed the Internet from a collection of static, read-only pages to dynamic, interactive platforms. This shift introduced user-generated platforms and social media, allowing people to create, publish, interact, and share in real time. However, it also led to a highly centralized ecosystem dominated by a few major tech companies that control much of our data and digital experience.

Key Web2 principles:

• Everyday people became creators, writing blogs, uploading videos, sharing photos, and posting on social media.
• Most of this user-generated content lives on centralized platforms like Facebook, Google, and Twitter, which host, rank, and distribute it.
• These platforms collect user data to power recommendation algorithms, tailor feeds, and deliver targeted ads.
• Most Web2 tools are “free,” funded by advertising, often in exchange for users’ personal data and attention.

Over time, Web2 has evolved into a tradeoff: personalized experiences and conveniences in exchange for centralization and data ownership by a few major platforms.

Web3 reimagines the Internet as something built by its users, not just for them. It’s not a replacement, but an evolution that layers decentralization and user ownership to the web we know.

Rather than relying on big tech platforms, Web3 replaces platform control with distributed infrastructure and a philosophy rooted in transparency and personal agency. At the heart of this shift is blockchain technology, which enables trustless systems—where users don’t have to rely on a central authority or middleman. Instead, rules are enforced by code and consensus, allowing individuals to manage their own data, identity, and assets directly. This foundation supports a more resilient digital ecosystem—one that encourages innovation, interoperability, and greater individual empowerment across the web.

Key Web3 principles:

• Decentralization: No central authority; peer-to-peer connection, backed by technology, not middlemen.
• Ownership: You own your digital assets, identities, and online presence.
• Interoperability: Your unique digital identity moves freely across applications and platforms.
• Transparency: Public ledgers are open and visible to everyone, allowing transactions to be independently verified, building trust through accountability. 

In Web3, you don’t log in with a username and password controlled by someone else. Instead, you connect with a unique wallet that you own and control.

So, what exactly is a Web3 digital wallet?

A Web3 wallet is a central piece of your decentralized identity and activity. It plays several important roles in how you interact in the Web3 ecosystem, such as:

• Acting as your ID, verifying who you are when logging into Web3 apps without the need for a username or password.
• Functioning as your keys, securely holding the private credentials that let you sign actions like sending tokens or granting access.
• Serving as your vault, safely storing your Bitcoin, NFTs, and other digital assets.

Web3 offers a blank canvas for creators and innovators. A digital artist can sell work as NFTs without giving up royalties to platforms. An indie app founder can raise capital directly from their community via token sales. A podcaster can build a fan-owned platform where supporters earn rewards and shape the future of the show. The possibilities are endless, and with tools like .LOCKER, you don’t need to be a tech expert to get started.

Blockchain: the foundation of Web3

To understand how Web3 works, it helps to start with its most essential building block: the blockchain.

A blockchain is a tamper-resistant, decentralized digital ledger where each block of data links securely to the one before it. Blockchain is designed to be immutable: once data is added, it can’t be changed or deleted without network consensus. And because the network is decentralized, it’s nearly impossible for a single bad actor to tamper with it. 

So how does blockchain protect your digital identity? 

• Trust through transparency: Data on the blockchain is stored across thousands of independent computers. If one gets hacked, it’s a non-issue—the system keeps running and the data stays safe.
• Permanence and proof: In traditional systems, where data is stored by a single company or entity, records can be altered by insiders or lost due to system failures. On the blockchain, it’s practically impossible to delete or change data once it’s been recorded, making it ideal for storing things like your digital identity. 

The resilience of the Bitcoin blockchain

The Bitcoin blockchain is the most time-tested and resilient, with over a decade of uninterrupted operation. When your digital identity is connected to it, key elements, like ownership, credentials, or activity history, are recorded in a way that is independently verifiable and virtually tamper-proof.

Because every interaction is timestamped and public, you don’t have to rely on someone’s word. You can just check the ledger. And since no single entity controls the network, your identity stays fully in your hands.

That combination of transparency, longevity, and independence makes your .LOCKER identity, anchored to the Bitcoin blockchain, more than just a username. It’s a digital identity you can trust, whether you’re navigating Web2 or stepping into Web3.

.LOCKER for both Web2 and Web3

.LOCKER bridges the gap between the Internet of today and the emerging decentralized web, offering a sleek, secure TLD that supports traditional tools (like websites and email), while unlocking Web3 features such as wallet linking, identity verification, and asset ownership on the Bitcoin blockchain.

Here’s what sets .LOCKER apart:

• Web2-compatible: With a .LOCKER domain, you can set up a website for your portfolio or business and create a custom email like yourname@yourwebsite.locker, just like you would with any other domain. 
• Your gateway to Web3: Pair your .LOCKER domain with a digital wallet to claim your Web3 digital identity and start exploring decentralized apps (dApps) and services.
• Bitcoin-backed: All .LOCKER identities are anchored to the Bitcoin blockchain, ensuring tamper-proof verification.
• Human-readable identity: Instead of using a long, unreadable wallet address like 1BoatSLRHtKNngkdXEeobR76b53LETtpyT to receive Bitcoin or log in to dApps, you can use your .LOCKER domain. It becomes your memorable, brandable Web3 alias. 

Think of it as your digital vault: stylish, secure, and ready to hold whatever Web3 assets you need.

Ways to use your .LOCKER for your Web3 identity

New to Web3? A .LOCKER domain can help get you started by:

• Creating a unified hub linking your wallet, content, and site.
• Replacing complex wallet addresses with a human-readable alias like “yourname.locker.”
• Signaling Web3 readiness with a traditional Web2 experience.

Already Web3-savvy? .LOCKER brings advanced features:

• Use your .LOCKER with a Leather wallet to receive funds or prove ownership, secured by the Bitcoin blockchain.
• Sign into dApps using your .LOCKER domain, no separate logins needed.
• Keep a unified DeFi (decentralized finance) identity, as your .LOCKER labels all lending, staking, and trading activity.
• Tokenize your .LOCKER as a verifiable, on-chain asset.
• Manage DAO (decentralized autonomous organization) roles, payments, and personas from a single .LOCKER identity.

Use multiple .LOCKER domains to reflect different facets of your digital life. For example, reserve yourname.locker for personal use, while yourbusiness.locker can serve as your professional hub—ideal for showcasing verified credentials like certifications. Each domain operates independently and is secured by Bitcoin’s resilient network.

As more of your digital experiences move to Web3, .LOCKER evolves with you—powering secure logins, enabling trusted collaboration, and anchoring your identity in a decentralized world. Whether you’re a creator, startup owner, or Web3 explorer, .LOCKER gives you the tools to claim your digital identity and build your presence in an emerging online space.

Get started with .LOCKER and get $10 in Bitcoin

To celebrate your new .LOCKER domain, you’ll receive $10 in Bitcoin to help you step into the Web3 space with confidence. Once you’ve registered your .LOCKER domain and claim your Web3 digital identity, you’ll receive your Bitcoin straight to your wallet within 7 days.

How to claim your .LOCKER domain (and Bitcoin reward) 

Start at Hover

To begin, head over to Hover and search for your ideal .LOCKER domain. Once you’ve found the perfect fit, add it to your cart and proceed to checkout.

Complete your purchase

During checkout, you’ll be asked to provide an email address. This is key—it’s how your domain will be linked to your Web3 identity. After you place your order, you may receive a verification email from Hover. This is standard for most domain names. Just click the link provided to verify your email address.

Watch for the next email—this time from .LOCKER

Keep an eye on your inbox. You’ll get a follow-up email from .LOCKER, sent to the same address you used at checkout. This one includes instructions for minting your Web3 identity.

Set up your wallet

Don’t have a Bitcoin-enabled wallet yet? No problem! The email will walk you through setting one up. If you already have one, you can use your existing wallet address. This is where your tokenized .LOCKER identity will live. If you run into any issues or have questions, the .LOCKER support page can help guide you through the process.

You’re all set

That’s it! With your .LOCKER domain registered and your Web3 identity minted, you’re ready to make moves, whether that’s pointing your domain to a traditional website or tapping into decentralized apps and digital asset tools across Web3.
Ready to claim your Web3 identity? Find a .LOCKER domain that fits you and get $10 in Bitcoin sent directly to your digital wallet in this limited-time offer, available from November 1 to December 31, 2025.