# handshake-hns

> Analysis by Optimly for Optimly AI Visibility, in the Optimly AI Brand Index. Last analyzed August 10, 2026.

> Handshake is an experimental, decentralized, and permissionless peer-to-peer root naming system that aims to replace existing centralized Certificate Authorities and DNS. It leverages a native cryptocurrency (HNS) for name registration and transfers, enabling sybil resistance through economic incentives and promoting a more secure and resilient internet. A significant portion of initial HNS coins were allocated to the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) community.

- Business Profile: https://optimly.ai/brand/handshake-hns
- Publisher: Optimly (https://optimly.ai)
- Dataset: Optimly AI Brand Index (https://optimly.ai/brand)
- Official website: https://handshake.org/
- Logo: https://logo.clearbit.com/handshake.org
- Slug: handshake-hns
- Brand Authority Index tier: Emerging
- Archetype: Challenger
- Category: Blockchain
- Last Analyzed: August 10, 2026

## Buyer Intent Signals
Problems: Centralization of internet services | Vulnerability of centralized Certificate Authorities | Censorship and corruption in naming systems | Sybil attacks in decentralized networks | Lack of a decentralized root DNS
Solutions: Decentralized naming protocol | Peer-to-peer root DNS | Alternative to Certificate Authorities | Economic incentives for sybil resistance | Platform for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) developers
Comparisons: Compare decentralized naming systems | Assess blockchain-based DNS solutions | Review Handshake protocol design | Understand HNS coin utility | Evaluate internet decentralization efforts