Handshake is a decentralized naming protocol that enables peer-validated root DNS naming through top-level domain auctions powered by the HNS coin. Handshake's Twitter Score is 110 out of 1000 (an Excellent rating) as of July 2026, ranking #7,587 (top 5%) among 389,587 tracked accounts.
Handshake was founded by Joseph Poon, Andrew Lee, Boyma Fahnbulleh, and Christopher Jeffrey as a permissionless alternative to the conventional DNS root, where every peer validates and manages the root naming zone rather than any central authority. The protocol has no official singular foundation, committee, corporation, or entity in permanent unitary control, making it a genuinely community-governed system. Name registration, transfers, updates, and auctions of top-level domains are all conducted using the HNS coin.
Handshake is secured using a UTXO blockchain design and proof-of-work principles. The protocol allocates the majority of its initial coin supply toward free and open source software contributors, reflecting a deliberate commitment to the open-source ecosystem. Handshake has published 653 posts on the platform and has 23,069 followers as of July 2026.
Handshake has been mentioned by 290 accounts a total of 919 times. Handshake's portfolio includes pancakebunny.finance.
Who follows Handshake on X?
The accounts that follow Handshake include 405 founders, 130 angel investors, 144 influencers and 28 VCs, among them Laura Shin, Fred Ehrsam, Kyle Samani, Joseph Lubin, Loomdart and Eric Wall.