The future of the internet just got a whole lot hairier. The ApeCoin community has overwhelmingly voted in favor of creating ".APE" top-level domains (TLDs), a move that could revolutionize how users navigate the Web3 landscape.

Think of ".APE" domains as prime real estate in the digital world, personalized with everyone's favorite primates. Imagine owning an email address like 'yourname.APE' or a website built on 'yourproject.APE'. This isn't just about bragging rights though; these domains have the potential to become valuable assets, generating revenue streams for both the ApeCoin DAO and users.

Here's the plan: Web3 domain specialist D3 will spearhead the application process with ICANN, the governing body of domain names. The community overwhelmingly backed the proposal (91.68%!), with D3 estimating a year to get everything prepped and submitted.

But the fun doesn't stop there. D3 also plans to offer "Ape-linked name tokens" as a way for users to establish their Web3 identity right away. D3's CEO, Fred Hsu, envisions bridging the gap between the billions of Web2 users and the exciting world of Web3 through these innovative domains.

"It's time to shake things up," says Hsu. "Traditional domains haven't seen much change in decades. We're aiming to revolutionize both ownership and how these domains are used."

The potential financial rewards are significant too. Hsu predicts .APE domains could generate millions of dollars annually, with revenue from both the name tokens and the TLD itself being split 50/50 between ApeCoin DAO and D3.

It's important to note that owning a TLD isn't quite the same as owning a piece of land. Instead, ICANN grants exclusive rights to operate and earn money from the ".APE" namespace, with renewals every ten years. D3 will handle the technical side of things, with ApeCoin DAO contributing to marketing efforts to spread the word about .APE domains to the masses.

This move by the ApeCoin DAO follows a recent collaboration between domain giant GoDaddy and the Ethereum Name Service (ENS). Their partnership allows users to seamlessly link their Web3-based ".eth" domains with traditional domain names, eliminating the hurdle of high gas fees. This fusion, as GoDaddy's president of domains puts it, benefits both Web2 and Web3 ecosystems.

The launch of ".APE" domains represents a significant step forward for Web3 adoption. It empowers users with a personalized digital identity while creating a new revenue stream for the ApeCoin DAO. With the combined forces of the ApeCoin community and D3's expertise, .APE domains are poised to become a prominent fixture in the ever-evolving Web3 landscape.